*Goa Business School*
*&Interdisciplinary Research Cluster on Biodiversity, Ecosystems & Climate ChangeGoa University* An invitation to two talks *How can Natural Coastal Infrastructure Help Build the Resilience of Coastal Communities ?*By Nisha D'Souza & *Natural resources as a shared inheritance : Accounting for the resource curse.*By Rahul Basu *Date : 5th December 2019Time : 10:30 am to 12:30 pmVenue : Auditorium, Goa Business School, Faculty Block F, Goa University* *All are Welcome* *Outline of Nisha's talk*The Indian coastline is being subject to an increasing frequency and intensity of natural disasters. Hundreds of vulnerable people (particularly the poorest), important infrastructure, tourism and trade, and the integrity of coastal biodiversity and ecosystems are being adversely affected, causing significant human suffering and losses to local economies. This talk will touch on the factors that enable social and ecological systems to develop and strengthen their capacities for resilience, adaptation and transformation to natural disasters. It will explore how natural coastal infrastructure, particularly mangroves, play an important role in this, by substantially reducing exposure and vulnerability, and increasing coping capacities. The talk will highlight cases where community-based governance and stewardship, the inclusion of women in decision-making processes, education and awareness, the targeted restoration of habitats and, multi-sectoral and multi-partner collaborations, have enhanced resilience-building, and adaptation and transformation capacities of social and ecological systems along Indian’s coastline, to natural disasters. Natural resources include our environment, minerals, and land. From an economic standpoint, land and minerals are the most valuable. Wealth attracts thieves, adventurers, rent seekers and crony capitalists. It is not surprising that mining encourages corruption, as private parties attempt to capture most of the value through "legal" but fundamentally illegitimate contracts. This in turn drives environment and human rights violations, which gives rise to conflict. Iron ore mining in Goa has become a contentious issue between government and civil society. In his talk, Rahul will speak about the work of the Goa Foundation, an environmental NGO, in raising awareness about mining as Goa’s largest environmental issue for over twenty five years. Goa Foundation uses the Intergenerational Equity Principle to propose an ethical, fair and just resolution to the issue in the form of 5 principles for fair mining. This proposal has support from the Constitution, our traditions and customs, economics and global best practices, and is specifically designed to counter most of the resource curse impacts. As a result of a recommendation from the Goa Foundation, the Supreme Court has ordered the creation of the Goa Iron Ore Permanent Fund. This is intended to be a savings fund akin to the oil funds of Norway and Alaska. India's National Mineral Policy 2019 recognizes natural resources including minerals as a shared inheritance. And the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB) has started work on a new standard for natural resources. Hope to see some of you there. Rahul Today is the first day of the rest of your life !