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ENB:04:55 [Next] . [Previous] . [Contents]

MOBILIZING PUBLIC AWARENESS:

Another important step is the necessity of mobilizing local and community interest in the Convention and the preparation of national action programmes. The key challenge is that many governments do not have a tradition of popular participation. Access to information is very limited and bottom-up input is practically non-existent. NGOs and governments alike must embark on a major campaign to disseminate information to grassroots and community organizations to ensure that bottom-up input is received and incorporated into the action programmes. Unless the actual needs of communities are taken into account in the preparation of these action programmes, the Convention could be considered a failure.

The negotiation of this Convention was difficult, the implementation process will not be any easier. The ill-will and distrust that emerged from the negotiations on the financial provisions of the Convention will have to be overcome. Developed and developing countries alike, along with support from the NGO community, will have to work together to ensure that this Convention has an impact on the 900 million people throughout the world, particularly in Africa, who are the real foot soldiers in the battle against desertification.