Evaluation of Marine Resource Programs In US Peace Corps Micronesia
Date
2007-05
Author
Advisors
Gallagher, Deb
Christensen, Norm
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Abstract
Over the last two decades US Peace Corps has implemented programs to assist
Micronesia in the management and conservation of its marine resources. Most of these
programs were heavily focused on building capacity and providing technical assistance
at
government and agency level. Programs focused on monitoring resources, developing
aqua-culture and eco-tourism opportunities, drafting policy and management plans,
promoting traditional fishing practices and educational outreach. These programs
have
since been terminated, and the Peace Corps has consolidated its efforts into communitybased
programs (education and youth development). In some cases, volunteers have been
assigned secondary projects in marine resource education.
A survey was administered to volunteers who served in two of these terminated marine
resources programs to identify challenges in building capacity at the government and
agency level. These volunteers determined that training prior to Peace Corps service
(technical, cultural, and language) was adequate in preparing them for their two year
assignments. They implemented projects with their host agency assignments to satisfy
program goals. However some host agencies insisted volunteers worked on projects
more suited to the agency’s agenda. Programs were developed to be compatible with
Micronesian culture and applicable to its developing economy and society. However
several challenges hindered the ability of these programs to achieve long term
sustainability beyond two year term of the volunteer. These challenges included:
lack of
community integration, lack of host agency volunteer-counterpart partnerships, and
grant
funding dependence. Several volunteers also described that Peace Corps administration
and local agency and/or community leadership were not dedicated to program specifics
and that this leadership was crucial to program success.
A list of recommended program improvement areas was constructed from these
volunteers’ survey responses, which the Peace Corps could consider in choosing
secondary projects in marine resource management. These recommendations included
that projects should focus on primary education and in community based (managed) areas
with cultural practices integrated. They should incorporate assertive community
leadership that motivates local program counterparts to be more dedicated to
implementing program goals. Projects should not be heavily dependent on volunteer
ability to gain grant funding for project survival. Peace Corps administration should
increase efficiency in communication and commitment to each volunteer’s personal
assignment, when financially feasible. These recommendations were then compared to
the goals of a current secondary marine resource education and management project
in a
Marine Protected Area (MPA) in Yap, Federated States of Micronesia. It was determined
that several of the recommendations were in keeping with the goals of this project.
Based
on this discovery, a list of additional community based marine protected areas was
identified which would be appropriate for Peace Corps support. The Peace Corps should
consider expanding into these secondary project opportunities should they meet current
program guidelines for education and youth development in Micronesia.
Type
Master's projectSubject
United States Peace CorpsFederated States of Micronesia
Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)
Management
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https://hdl.handle.net/10161/315Citation
Clements, Kimberly (2007). Evaluation of Marine Resource Programs In US Peace Corps Micronesia. Master's project, Duke University. Retrieved from https://hdl.handle.net/10161/315.Collections
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