Increasing public participation in desertification control

Supporting local communities in their own efforts in combatting desertification, and to draw on the knowledge and experience of the populations concerned, ensuring the full participation of women and indigenous populations.

In principle, the goal of public participation is to give each and every member of society the opportunity to participate. Local decision-making processes should generally allow for direct participation by the public, and other decision-making processes should also do so as far as this is feasible.

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends:< (a) that governments at the appropriate level, with the support of the relevant international and regional organizations, should undertake nationwide major anti-desertification awareness/training campaigns within countries affected through existing national mass media facilities, educational networks and newly created or strengthened extension services. This should ensure people's access to knowledge of desertification and drought and to national plans of action to combat desertification;< (b) through education and awareness-building, promoting the involvement of the local population, particularly women and youth, in collection and utilization of environmental information;< (c) reviewing, developing and disseminating gender-disaggregated information, skills and know-how at all levels on ways of organizing and promoting popular participation.