From the “Vice Chancellor’s Report to Council” 2005/2006

 

INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

 

The world is being rapidly reshaped by the emergence of nations such as India and China as the new global industrial powers, the accelerating pace of scientific and technological advance, demographic trends, the shifting pattern of resource demand and environmental impacts, and changes in the nature of risk, political and economic influence, competition and conflict.

 

These changes represent Important new opportunities but also existential challenges for the nations of the Caribbean, which have to adjust to market liberalization, the phasing-out of the preferential terms of trade that have been the primary conduit of aid and development assistance and rapidly increasing competition from the emerging economies, while simultaneously contending with rising rates of homicide, the Illegal narcotics trade and, in some cases, the compromising of the state by organized crime. The nations of the Caribbean need to have flexible but robust plans for dealing with these profound challenges. The University of the West Indies has a particular role and responsibility as the primary locus of advanced research and teaching in the region to support the development of an effective Caribbean response to these new opportunities, challenges and demands.

The core task of the Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD) is to assist the University to deliver these strategic priorities.

              

The ISD has two affiliated units: the Institute for Hospitality and Tourism (IHT) and the Regional Centre for Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (RCDRRM) The IHT was established in 2003 to help the University to support the Caribbean's most important industry, while the RCDRRM is not yet fully operational. The ISD and the IHT each have one member of academic staff, plus support and project-related staff.

Professor Anthony Clayton, holder of the Alcan Chair in Caribbean Sustainable Development has focused his research on strategies to assist the countries of the Caribbean to achieve a permanent transition onto a more sustainable development path, with robust economic growth, a steadily reducing rate of environmental damage, and a rapidity diversifying economic base. Following are some of his current protects:

 

A. REGULATORY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

Unsuccessful business models are rapidly replaced in competitive markets, but there is no equivalent mechanism to replace unsuccessful government policies and agencies. So policy incoherence, policy conflicts, institutional fragmentation, inconsistent enforcement and other bad practices can persist for extended periods. This can be exceptionally costly. In a situation, for example, where a government's policies on economic development are inconsistent with its policies on the environment, government agencies may waste time and public funds trying to undo each other's work. Policy incoherence and inconsistent

Enforcement can also impose significant additional uncertainty, risk and cost on business, and thereby discourage investment while simultaneously failing to achieve any of the policy goals.

A team led by Professor Clayton undertook with funding from the World Bank a major review on behalf of the Government of Jamaica, of all regulated sectors of the Jamaican economy (telecommunications, electricity, water, environment etc). The lead consultants, Cambridge Economic Policy Associates, had subcontracted the UWI to undertake the local research. The total value of the UWI subcontract was US$25,000.

 

As a result of this project, the National Environmental Protection Agency (NEPA), the Permanent Secretaries and the Cabinet have been briefed on new models of planning and regulation for Jamaica.

 

B. INTEGRATED ASSESSMENT

Integrated assessment involves the integration of social, economic and environmental information into a single decision support process. This significantly reduces the chance of policy conflicts, and thereby greatly improves the cost-effectiveness of government operations.

Jamaica was one of six countries chosen to field-test the new Integrated Assessment methodology developed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEPI)'s Division of Technology Industry and Economic with Professor Clayton as advisor and lead researcher. The field trials will be used to fine-tune the new Integrated Assessment methodology before UNEP deploys it world-wide. The ISO will receive a grant of US$64,000 for carrying out the first phase of this research project, with the possibility of further funding for follow-up research and development phases.

 

C. FORESIGNTING AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING

Foresighting and technology road mapping are powerful strategic planning tools that can be used to identify possible future scenarios, then to make those scenarios manageable through practical, effective planning this helps to map out a strategy for development that is coherent, robust, and able to withstand shocks.

These strategic planning tools have been introduced to a number of agencies in Trinidad and Tobago by the Alcan Professor to assist with the implementation of the national Vision 2020 plan. The agencies include the Ministry Of Planning and Development, the Ministry of Finance, the National Institute of Higher Education, Research, Science & Technology, the Caribbean Industrial Research Institute and a number of the national sectoral panels.

 

D. INDUSTRIAL SYMBIOSIS, ECO-INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT. INDUSTRIAL WASTE MINIMISATION AND MANAGEMENT

These are strategies that allow companies to minimize or sell their wastes, access cheaper supplies of raw materials improve their efficiency and reduce environmental damage while simultaneously stimulating new business development and creating job opportunities. Projects in this area are being developed in conjunction with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation and the University of Wales.

Other externally funded Projects include-

  • British Council Academic link programme £45,000 over six years to support staff and student exchanges between the UWI and the University of Surrey. Programme concluded in 2006.
  • British Council Foresight Project: E 10,000 to cover the cost of a foresighting workshop on the sugar industry, plus additional funding of £2,500 for a foresight project on higher education to a total of£ 12,500.
  • Association of Commonwealth Universities: 2 one-year split-site PhD scholarships, one 3-month scholarship. Three full scholarships (travel, fees and DSA) for UW1 students to study in the UK (The ISD has now won more scholarships from the ACU than some entire universities)

Positions held by the Alcan Professor of Caribbean Sustainable Development:

  • Fellow of the Caribbean Academy of Science Adjunct Professor, Faculty of Business and Management, University of Technology, Jamaica
  • Member of the International Advisory Group, UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics Advisor to the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery.
  • Member of the Expert Review Group, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Member of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Chevening Panel for Jamaica
  • Visiting Processor at the Centre for Environmental Strategy in the School of Engineering, the University of Surrey.
  • Visiting Professor at the Institute for Studies of Science, Technology and Innovation In the School of Social and Politic Studies at the University of Edinburgh.
  • Honorary Fellow, Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Edinburgh.
  • Advisory Board member, Centre for the Study of Environmental Change and Sustainability,University of Edinburgh.
  • International Associate, Centre for Social and Environmental Accounting Research, University of St Andrew.

 

AWARD

Professor Clayton received the 8th World Congress of Consuls Award of Excellence.

TEACHING

        -         MSc

        -         Sustainable Tourism

        -         Environment and Sustainable Development
                  National Security Policy and Programme Analysis

        -         Also lectures four other MSc. Courses.

 

EXTERNAL MSC

Examiner for Revans University, Faculty of International Management Centres Association – Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association.

PhDs

Currently supervising twenty-five PhD students.

This was a remarkably productive year, with four successful vivas in the PhD group in just eight weeks. of which one was awarded 'with high commendation'.

 

THE INSTITUTE FOR HOSPITALITY AND TOURISM (IHT)

Staffed by Dr. Carolyn Hayle, the Institute undertook following assignments during the review year:

  • Supported training in tourism and related issues for the Jamaica Social Development Commission.
  • Conducted research in Trinidad and Tobago on the impact of World Cup Cricket 2007 on community tourism, collaborated with Central Connecticut State University (CCSU) to publish the findings of the Cricket research, and organized the meetings between CCSU. USAID and the Jamaica Exporters' Association.
  • At the invitation of the Principal of the Mona Campus, participated in the design and delivery the Mona Academic Conference on 'Tourism as Driver for Change'
  • Represented the UWI at the Caribbean Tourism Organisation's Human Resource Council in Barbados
  • Hosted the Caribbean Tourism Human Resource Council meeting in Jamaica
  • Served as a member of the Advisory Group on Tourism at Mona
  • Served on the Tertiary Level Institutions Unit's evaluation team for the review of the Tobago Hospitality Institute
  • Assisted the tourism sector in Level 3 curriculum for tour guiding
  • Participated in the Department of Management Studies Examiners' Meeting
  • Made a number of presentations, including one on the 'impact of Tourism on Community Development' as part of Portmore Week, two presentations for JAMPRO on *Tourism Linkages; and a paper at the SIDS Conference in Nassau June 2006
  • Attended the 50th Anniversary Conference of the Planning Institute of Jamaica.    
  • Undertook 3 research consultancy for the Organisation of American States and the International Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) on agro-tourism