PROJECT UPDATE
Project Overview
This project supported the Government of Maldives’ Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology (MECCT) and the Civil Service Training Institute (CSTI) in strengthening and enhancing how the Maldives is effectively represented during international climate change/climate action negotiation processes.
Project Profile
The Technical Assistance Partnership-Expert Deployment Mechanism (TAP-EDM) project collaborated with environmental and climate diplomacy expert Marco Heredia, capacity development expert Jenn Hoffman, and personnel from MECCT and CSTI to design, develop, pilot, and evaluate a training curriculum to be housed within CSTI. Their work supported a long-term succession plan to increase the size, strength and diversity of the country’s negotiation team, drawing in and supporting the development of the next cadre of negotiators from amongst the Maldives’ brightest emerging leaders.
By using experiential learning practices that develop or enhance climate negotiation and diplomacy competencies, the program supported the learning opportunities of the country’s current and future negotiators to participate more effectively in the Conferences of the Parties (COPs) events. The approach utilized a ‘train-the-trainer’ approach by piloting the training and then, with support from CSTI, identifying trainers from the first cohort who would support future course delivery.
Key Deliverables
- Capacity Support and Training
- Developed a two-page presentation about the project and project schedule
- Facilitated Climate Diplomacy training
- Delivered five-day in-person training courses on Climate Negotiations and Train-the-Trainer courses
- Developed syllabi and curriculum for climate negotiations courses
- Created a ‘Facilitation Techniques & Learning Activity’ catalogue
- Developed comprehensive instructional materials
- Coached and accompanied a delegation to COP27
- Technical Support and Knowledge Products
- Conducted meetings to develop a work plan and identify next steps
- Catalogued existing climate-related courses (e.g., climate negotiations, climate science, diplomacy, etc.)
- Performed a comprehensive literature review of relevant climate, policy, negotiations, adult learning, and competencies resources
- Developed Climate Negotiations Competency Framework
- Created a profile for a country negotiator under UNFCCC processes
- Developed a COP27 observation and opportunity identification framework
- Designed a climate negotiator needs assessment and course assessment tool
- Created course assessment framework
- Developed a curriculum and instructional materials suite for both courses
Project Outcomes and Lessons Learned
The project improved the capacity of MECCT concerning climate diplomacy and negotiation. A key lesson learned was that a tailored course specifically designed for the Maldives was essential to meet the needs of National Government Entities (NGEs). Additionally, a training-of-trainers course was required to support the civil training authority in adopting the new curriculum.
Reach and Engagement
Direct Project Reach:
- 13 participants reached through training and other project activities
Public Engagement (Canada):
- 201 Canadians reached through outreach and engagement events
Public Engagement Activities:
- Environmental and climate diplomacy expert Marco Heredia:
- Participated in “Climate Voices Week” during International Development Week (IDW), organized by GAC
- Served as a panelist for TAP/Alinea International Development Week (IDW) Webinar
- Presented to students at the University of Ottawa’s Comparative Politics of Development class (POL 3115)
- Attended TAP KH Meeting and Showcase Event
- In preparation for the IDW event, the experts coordinated the pre-recording of a video by Ms. Khadeeja Naseem, the current Minister of State for Environment, Climate Change and Technology, Maldives, to discuss the benefits of the initiative for the country.
- Capacity development expert Jenn Hoffman:
- Posted two posts on social media relating to the TAP GESI event in Edmonton
- Participated in TAP Podcast
- Attended the 2023 GESI event in Edmonton and the TAP Knowledge Harvest Meeting
- Both experts participated in one of TAP’s “Canadian Changemakers” podcast episodes: Climate Diplomacy in the Maldives
- This initiative was highlighted in two articles on the TAP website: Canada bolstering capacities of the Maldives delegation to the UNFCCC seeking effective climate diplomacy, and a Canadian expert supports Maldives’ COP27 delegation at the Sharm el-Sheikh Climate Implementation Summit
