No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The National Council for the Environment (NCE) was established through the Environmental Management Act to recommend to the Cabinet, through the Minister of Research and Environmental Affairs, measures necessary for the integration of environmental considerations into all aspects of economic planning and development. The Act seeks to promote and coordinate the implementation of sustainable development in accordance with Agenda 21 by harmonizing activities, plans and policies with the protection and management of the environment and the conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
In Malawi, the ten-year plan (1987-1996) stipulates the direction of development and priority areas. This plan is then translated into medium-term policies and plans which are further disaggregated into the Public Sector Investment Programme (PSIP) and a poverty framework paper at the macro level and then into development to ensure that sectoral policies, programmes and projects complement each other and minimize policy conflict. Currently, sustainable development principles are used in the development of projects for the PSIP. Specifically, programmes and projects are evaluated both for their impact on poverty alleviation and their environmental impacts.
The national strategy focuses on influencing the interaction between population and natural resources. This is reflected in the distribution of investment in economic, social and infrastructural activities, the achievement of rapid and sustainable economic growth and development, and reduction in the instability of welfare for both the individual and the whole nation. In order to achieve these three objectives, emphasis is given to increasing the productivity of the natural resource base which includes land, forests, minerals, fish, tourism and natural environment. However, this will only be able to increase income and employment for a small proportion of the population; hence some of the balance will have to be taken up by provision of economic, social and administrative services in the public sector. Thus public sector investment through PSIP will also play a key role in the achievement of development.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
The poverty alleviation programme has launched a poverty monitoring system which is hoped to provide the necessary data base and also signals as to where policy is lagging behind.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
A good policy analysis requires careful research. To this end, financial resources are very critical if both sustainable poverty alleviation and environmental concerns are to be integrated into the overall development goals and objectives. Currently, these resources are inadequate. The management of the country's economy through the integration of environment and development in decision-making is undertaken by the Government through its own budget and development funds utilizing a number of statutory controls and quasi-public institutions such as the Reserve Bank of Malawi. Although there are a number of controls on private sector investment, foreign trade, business location, retail pricing and employee wages and working conditions, the current trend in the democratic Malawi is to liberalize trade and investment to curb poverty and unemployment. The overall objective is to continue to stimulate balanced economic activities, protect consumers and employees and most of all promote sustainable development.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Building capacity for economic planning and development is crucial and need to be undertaken on a continuous basis. This includes development of a sound data base with a good monitoring system.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
For information from
the UNDP Capacity 21 Programme on Malawi, click here:
For information on Environmental
Law around the World, click here:
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MAJOR GROUPS
Women
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
There is both a policy and an action plan for women in sustainable development, as well as a National Commission for women and development. Women have access to opportunities in education and development, employment, economic empowerment, legal redress and decision-making. An effort is made also to facilitate women's access to appropriate technologies, since these may reduce the some of the burden on women.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information available.
Programmes
and Projects
Projects on reproductive health are implemented in order to allow women to have a say on when to reproduce and the number of children to have. School curricula are being developed which are sensitive to gender. There is a social mobilization programme at the University of Malawi Chancellor College in order to sensitize the society on equality. Women's education is promoted through the Girls Attainment in Basic Level Education (GABLE). There is also opportunity for pregnant girls to continue their studies.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
For information on Women
Watch in different countries, click here:
For information
on national plans of action in the follow-up to the Beijing Conference,
click here:
Children and Youth
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Following the launching of the National Youth Policy, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture has registered over 30 organisations and six youth centres, two in each region. In the National Youth Policy, the concept of sustainable development simply refers to developmental programmes and projects which are carried out by or for the children and youth that are not only socially, economically, culturally and technically feasible and acceptable but also environmentally friendly. Having recognised the situation in Malawi, the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture and Youth organisations not only advocate proper utilisation of available natural resources which provide job opportunities for youth but also promote children's rights, education and health.
Specifically, the Ministry supports the activities relevant to sustainable development: (a) Two Vocational Training Centres established and six more planned; (b) Youth Development and Credit Scheme which not only provides credit facilities to youth but also emphasizes the development of youth into successful entrepreneurs; (c) the Family Life Programme, which aims to promote a healthy life of the children and youth in Malawi, with prorammes in sex education, family planning, human development, adolescent health, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS. This programme is funded by UNFPA International. This is a three year project and it is envisaged that 2500 youths will be reached as peer educators; (d) Out of School Youths Anti-AIDS Clubs.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
These youth organisations are involved in sustainable development projects. Most of these projects are agro- based since Malawi's economy is agricultural based. It has been observed of late, however, that many youth consider farming as a last resort due to limited availability of land, such that land holding sizes are declining to un-economical levels. Youth Organisations also support a number of important activities, including, for example, the following: (a) Solar Cooker Production supported by the Blantyre Young Voices Movement, to reduce charcoal use in urban and rural areas, with a positive effect on environment; (b) Make a Will Campaign, undertaken by The Blantyre Young Voices Movement to educate parents on the need to write a will in order to safeguard the future of children in case a parent dies; (c) Child Rights Programme, carried out by The Blantyre Young Voices Movement together with other youth organisations, to advocate for children rights including the right to life, names and nationality, education, health and health services, to be protected from torture, to social security, protected from child labour, standard of living, freedom of expressions, etc.; (d) Re-Enforcement Project, run by The Youth Arm Organisation with the intention of re-enforcing AIDs- related messages to youth; (e) Straight Talk Project, a radio programme which aims at giving the youth an opportunity of discussing issues that affect them; (f) Afforestation Project, in which The Youth Arm Organisation is engaged in an afforestation project at Mount Soche (Soche Hills); (g) Chilinde Tannery, in which the youth group in Chilinde-Lilongwe turns hide into hide products such as shoes, belts, leather bags; (h) Wind Mill - Young Entrepreneur Foundation, a Blantyre youth group which has come up with a wind mill which uses wings in the generation of electricity and which will have a positive environmental effect; (i) Bio-gas Plant, such as that being developed by Bunda College, owned and operated by female youth in Lilongwe; (f) Poultry Production, wherein many youth clubs in all districts are involved in the production of broilers and eggs which are scarce in Malawi. The poultry provide manure in addition to meat and eggs for sale; (k) Beekeeping, ventured into by many youth clubs in the Northern region of Malawi and Mulanje to reduce unemployment and poverty; (l) Mushroom Production, entered into commerically by a few youth in Thyolo; (m) Agro-forestry projects; and (n) Fish Farming.
The above list of sustainable development projects in which the children and youth are involved in is just an outline of projects known to exist by the Ministry. It should also be noted that the formulation and implementation of the above projects is usually based on National objectives; Environmental Management; and Sustainability of the project. It is expected that many more children and youth will be involved in sustainable development with the availability of resources over time.
Status
Some two-thirds of Malawi's population is comprised of children and youth of ages between 14 and 25 years. The National Youth Policy defines Youth as all young people, female and male from the age of 14 to 25 years. The numerical advantage of the children and youth compels the Government to consult and let youth participate in decisions that affect the environment. This is clearly outlined in the National Youth Policy, especially in the area for Action Science, technology and environment. Under this section there is emphasis on promotion of environmental education among the youth and their involvement in environmental conservation through the integration of environmental education in the formal and non-formal curricula.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
Funding comes from: Malawi government, UNFPA, UNICEF, Maegret Senga International (NY).
Cooperation
No information is available.
Indigenous People
No information available.
* * *
Non-governmental Organizations
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
NGOs and other relevant CBOs are in all the National Steering Committees in Biodiversity, Climate Change, Environmental Management Project under the World Bank, the GEF, and other relevant sectors dealing with sustainable environmental management. Promoting and allowing NGOs to participate in decision-making at the national level through conception, establishment and evaluation of official mechanisms to review Agenda 21 implementation and other related strategies has been established in the country through the coordination of the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs. Various national government ministries and departments have entered into partnerships with NGOs at different levels.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes
and Projects
A Council for Non-Governmental Organizations in Malawi (CONGOMA) was established to coordinate the work of all NGOs in Malawi. A Coordination Unit for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE) was established within the CONGOMA umbrella to deal with all matters related to environment within the NGO community. CURE works hand-in-hand with all other NGOs dealing with sustainable environmental management issues in the country.
Status
NGOs participate fully in Agenda 21 decision-making and implementation and are working hand in hand with government departments in implementing some of the programmes for conservation and preservation of the natural resource base and in development projects.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
Local Authorities
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and PlansLocal Authority Policy has been reviewed and members of Local Authorities have been elected to run local councils. Malawi encourages local authorities to implement and monitor programmes to ensure participation of women and youth in local decision making.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and ProjectsAmong the activities undertaken by Local Authorities are community training and mobilisation; environmental rehabilitation; and management of solid waste.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
Workers and Unions
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Labour and Manpower Development and other labour-related sectors, such as the University and the Chamber of Commerce, work hand-in-hand to ensure that the concerns of the labour force and unions are addressed at various levels within both the civil service and the political system.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Workers take some part in National Agenda 21 discussions and implementation.
Programmes
and Projects
No information is available.
Status
Trade Unions in Malawi are new but their focus is on the salaries of the workers and their well being through bargaining of the conditions of services which is supported by the labour act.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building,
Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information available.
Information
No information available.
Research
and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
Twenty-three ILO Conventions have been ratified.
* * *
Business and Industry
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Technology import and adaptation in Malawi lies in the hands of Malawi Industrial Research and the Technology Development Centre (MIRTDC). The private sector has the responsibility to develop environmental codes.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
Scientific and Technological Community
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and PlansThere is some effort in the direction of improving exchange of knowledge and concerns between the science and technology community and the general public, such as through the establishment of environmental programmes related to science and technology and its role in reconciling and development.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and ProjectsThe "Science and Technology" and "You and Your environment" programmes have appeared on the Malawi Broadcasting Corporation Radio in English and in local language in a limited way.
Innovative Rural Action Learning (IRALAS) was launched to bridge the gap between professionals and local people and promote farmer linkages within Malawi and Southern African Development Community coordinated by the University of Malawi and in conjunction with the Department of Land Husbandry and SADC/ELMS.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
Research in Malawi is done by the Agricultural Research Department of Malawi and coordinated by the Agricultural Research Council of Malawi. The Agricultural Sciences Committee (ASC) has been established through a World Bank support to facilitate contract research in Malawi by scientific community in Malawi.
The University of Malawi is also carrying out some research. A Center for Environmental Research is to be based and coordinated at the University of Malawi's Bunda College of Agriculture in Lilongwe.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
Farmers
No information available.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 April 1997
| Malawi | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and PlansEmphasis is being placed on research on the domestication of indigenous vegetables and fruits, on research on medicinal plants, and on the promotion of conservation efforts and sustainable agriculture by involving communities in a participatory approach.
A research policy was formulated for the University of Malawi. The University of Malawi has so far been allocating 0.28% of its budget to research. There is now a policy guideline to strive for an allocation of 5% on the medium term.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and ProjectsOther activities include:
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
| Malawi | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusAvailability of sustainable development information at the national
level:
| Agenda 21 Chapters | Very good | Good | Some good data but many gaps | Poor | Remarks | |
| 2. | International cooperation and trade |
|
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| 3. | Combating poverty |
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| 4. | Changing consumption patterns |
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| 5. | Demographic dynamics and sustainability |
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| 6. | Human health |
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| 7. | Human settlements |
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| 8. | Integrating E & D in decision-making |
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| 9. | Protection of the atmosphere |
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| 10. | Integrated planning and management of land resources |
|
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| 11. | Combating deforestation |
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| 12. | Combating desertification and drought |
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| 13. | Sustainable mountain development |
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| 14. | Sustainable agriculture and rural development |
|
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| 15. | Conservation of biological diversity |
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| 16. | Biotechnology |
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| 17. | Oceans, seas, coastal areas and their living resources |
|
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| 18. | Freshwater resources |
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| 19. | Toxic chemicals |
|
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| 20. | Hazardous wastes |
|
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| 21. | Solid wastes |
|
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| 22. | Radioactive wastes |
|
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| 24. | Women in sustainable development |
|
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| 25. | Children and youth |
|
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| 26. | Indigenous people |
|
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| 27. | Non-governmental organizations |
|
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| 28. | Local authorities |
|
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| 29. | Workers and trade unions |
|
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| 30. | Business and industry |
|
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| 31. | Scientific and technological community |
|
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| 32. | Farmers |
|
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| 33. | Financial resources and mechanisms |
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| 34. | Technology, cooperation and capacity-building |
|
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| 35. | Science for sustainable development |
|
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| 36. | Education, public awareness and training |
|
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| 37. | International cooperation for capacity-building |
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| 38. | International institutional arrangements |
|
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| 39. | International legal instruments |
|
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| 40. | Information for decision-making |
|
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Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development, April 1997. Last update: 1 April 1997
For information on the Sustainable Development Networking Programme in Malawi, click here:
| Malawi | All Countries | Home |
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and PlansNo information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
Status
No information is available.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
Agreements or conventions (not already covered) entered into and relevant to Agenda 21:
* * *
This information is based on Malawi's submission to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997
| Natural Resource Aspects | Economic Aspects | Social Aspects |
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