Planning Workshop –Sustainable Management of Marginal - Unesco

Annex I – Brief summaries of presentations
Session 1: Project overview and introduction
Overview of the key achievements of the first phase of the SUMAMAD project
Presented by Dr Brigitte Schuster, UNU‐INWEH
An overview of achievements made during the first
phase of the SUMAMAD project was presented and
illustrated by selected examples from case study sites.
Furthermore, key strategies ensuring sustainable
management in marginal drylands were developed
based on major findings and synthesised experience
gained during the first phase of SUMAMAD. Livelihoods
achievements ranged from successful introduction of
alternative and innovative livelihoods, considerable
value addition through natural products processing and
establishment of ecotourism activities and
infrastructure. Secondly, rehabilitation efforts during the first phase included a number of
successfully tested soil conservation measures, artificial recharge of aquifers and natural restoration
processes. Thirdly, productivity of the agricultural systems was enhanced through developing a wide
range of wise management practices of water and land based on traditional knowledge and refined
through scientific findings, new technology and latest know‐how. In addition, achievements with
regards to up‐take of successfully tested approaches as well as knowledge synthesis and
dissemination were presented.
Overview of the Second Phase of the SUMAMAD Project
Presented by Dr Thomas Schaaf, UNESCO
Dr. Schaaf provided an overview of the next phase of
the SUMAMAD project. The potential extension of the
geographic scope of the project to include new case
study sites in Bolivia, Burkina Faso and India was
presented. If funding for a next phase can be secured,
project activities will be implemented over a four to
five year period from beginning of 2009 until 2012/13.
Slight modifications to the overall three objectives
(science / policy / livelihoods) of the next phase as
identified at the last international SUMAMAD meeting
were proposed and a preliminary evaluation of the
submitted proposals by case studies was presented. It was highlighted that the final selection of
project sites/countries will be based on the quality of the proposals, feasibility of project
implementation and counterpart commitment. During the next phase activities will continue to be
implemented at national and international levels. At the international level activities will include
international SUMAMAD workshops, training activities, participation in international meetings and
cross‐site synthesis work.
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