The words "holistic", "interactive," and "dynamic" have been extensively used to describe the virtues of applying an integrated coastal management approach in dealing with complex management issues in coastal areas.

But what does it truly take to integrate all the necessary components of ICM into a systematic mechanism?

In this issue, we endeavor to answer this question by focusing on the key ingredient in this innovative process - People.

Meet the men and women who, with their robust intellect, vision and heart, have toiled to propel the ICM program across the region. From diverse backgrounds and multitudes of experiences, they are the prime movers of PEMSEA's ICM Sites, whose names have remained faceless but whose resounding voices made others hear the call for the management of the Seas of East Asia while being armed only with the power of their actions.

Through their steadfast commitment and notable accomplishments, may we gain inspiration to pursue the painstaking albeit rewarding efforts of weaving our common future. Because after all, ICM is about bringing people together and fighting for a common cause. ICM programs, therefore, highly resonate implementers' technical expertise as well as their personal commitment to create lasting change in coastal management.
 

 BALI, INDONESIA

“...different sectors have different interests in project implementation, which became more pronounced in developing a coastal-use zoning scheme. We had to overcome such challenges through continuous consensus-building efforts.”  More>
Ir. Ni Wayan Sudji, DR. HC
Head, BAPEDALDA
Environmental Impact Management Agency of Bali Province
Bali PMO Director

“ICM is an art, which involves problem solving through power-sharing and consensus building.”  More>
Ir. I Ketut Sudiarta, M.Si.
Lecturer and Researcher
Fisheries Department, Warmadewa University
Technical Advisor to Bali ICM Programme

“…it entails the creation of a framework for people to share their skills and resources and work for their common vision. Only then can results be seen.”  More>
Ms. Zulhasni
Head, Sub-Division for Marine Potential Resources and the Impacts, Ministry of Environment
Technical Advisor to Bali ICM Programme
 

 BATANGAS BAY, PHILIPPINES

“The establishment of legal and institutional mechanisms to support ICM should also be made at the early stages of project implementation.”  More>
Ms. Evelyn L. Estigoy
Department Head, Provincial Government - Environment and Natural Resources Office
Batangas PMO Director

“The benefits of stakeholder wisdom and empowerment can be brought to the fore by shifting the mindset of implementers from “telling” or “teaching” to one of knowledge-sharing, influencing wise decisions and facilitating the identification of problems as well as their solutions.”  More>
Dr. Corazon L. Abansi
Dean, Graduate School, De La Salle Lipa
Former Project Officer for Batangas Bay during the pilot phase of PEMSEA, then the Regional Programme on the Prevention and Management of Marine Pollution in the East Asian Seas
or MPP-EAS
 

 BOHAI, PR CHINA

“Decision-makers should take into consideration the different interests and present needs of the people with that of the long-term interests and needs of future generations.”  More>
Mr. Li Wenhai
Director, National Project Management Office
Bohai Sea Environmental Management Project
 

 DANANG, VIETNAM

“I learned how to properly coordinate the inter-disciplinary and multi-sectoral group of experts to work for the ICM programme.”  More>
Dr. Nong Thi Ngoc Minh
Vice Chairman, Danang People's Committee
Former Danang PMO Director

“Now, I have a deeper appreciation of the planning and monitoring activities which were not so much recognized in many agencies and organizations.”  More>
Dr. Nguyen Minh Son
Deputy-Director, Center for Marine Environment Survey, Research and Consultation, Hanoi
Technical Advisor to Danang ICM Programme
 

 MANILA BAY, PHILIPPINES

“The Manila Bay Coastal Strategy is a very good start to identify what a sector can do, including setting expectations and tasks applied to ICM. I have also come to recognize the challenges and long-term benefits of the integrated and inter-sectoral approach in ICM.”  More>
Renato Cruz
Officer-in-Charge, Chief, Environmental Quality Division, Environmental Management Bureau
Department of Environment and Natural Resources

“With ICM implementation in Manila Bay, I have learned that we have to protect our environment. Whatever waste we throw will eventually adversely affect our health and our lives as well.”  More>
Joseph Y. Aricheta, M.D., M.P.H.
Chairman, Resource Valuation – Technical Working Group
Manila Bay Environmental Management Project
 

 XIAMEN, PR CHINA

“At present, we are actively promoting coastal ecology-economic development through ICM not only in China but throughout the region.”  More>
Mr. Wang Chunsheng
Deputy-Director General, Xiamen Ocean and Fisheries Bureau
Xiamen Municipal Government
Xiamen PMO Director

“I realized that ICM is an applicable management strategy towards sustainable coastal development, and that successful ICM requires sound scientific and technological basis. On the practical side, I learned how to provide scientific concepts, information and technology and their applications to the decision-makers...”  More>
Prof. Huasheng Hong
Director, Center for Oceans Policy and Law
Professor, College of Oceanography & Environmental Science,
Environmental Science Research Center, Xiamen University
Executive Vice-President, Xiamen International Training Center for Coastal Sustainable Development