The Caribbean: main experiences and regularities in capacity building for the management of coastal areas

The establishment in 1960 of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, and in early 80s, of United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)s Caribbean Environmental Program, constituted an unquestionable and strategic step forward in the promotion, development and strengthening of marine sciences in the Caribbean Region. This was a fundamental factor for coastal and marine resources management. Caribbean experiences demonstrate that scientific and capacity building programs for sustainable development are important factors for cooperation and integration, both at national and international levels. The experience demonstrates also that the only viable solution at short and medium terms is to achieve a true spirit of coordination and association. This would certainly allow the region to reach a "sustainable regional capacity", by means of which collective answers would meet the national and regional problems. This concept is an essential complement in the process of international cooperation in an era marked by economic and social globalization. The viability of coastal areas research is sustained not only on national capacity but also on the actual level of human and institutional integration, and on the one that can be reached in the future. Then, it is possible to conclude that within the next 10 years, science and society will have to face serious challenges in marine and coastal issues. Overcoming these challenges will allow the society to achieve: a wise and ecologically sustainable use of coastal areas; a real holistic approach in marine and coastal issues; qualitative and quantitative improvement in communication, cooperation and coordination among individuals and institutions, economy sectors and local governments; the development of appropriate environmental education and culture in all sectors of society. And all this will result in integrated management of marine and coastal zones as an issue of strategic character and the very unique opportunity to reach sustainable development. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.