Dr Michael Chasukwa

Project Title: African Knowledges of Climate Change Adaptation – A critical examination of power play between international and local actors in Climate Change Policy Making and Implementation

Abstract

Under this Fellowship, we examine the multifaceted power struggles that undergird the policy making and implementation process. In Malawi, UNDP channels donor funding to push a resilience agenda and supports the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, Department of Environmental Affairs in implementation.  There remain entrenched obstacles to “joined-up” government including ministries and departments working in silos. Policy formulation and implementation requires the participation of a plethora of competing actors at multiple levels – public sector, civil society and businesses. Such processes must not only be well-coordinated but also entail complex negotiations and prioritizations. Unfortunately, Malawi is on the receiving end of policies because of their seemingly lack of expertise and influence in the global policy spaces. This research will argue that effective implementation of global policies on climate change is dependent on utilizing African knowledge on the power dynamics between national and international actors.

Twitter: @MChasukwa

Working with: Emma-Louise Anderson