Developing a SAVI Framework

OVERVIEW SAVI Origins Maputo & Cape Town W/S Advancing the SAVI Process

SAVI ORIGINS Global Environmental Change (GEC) & vulnerability: 1990s Single stressor/sector Human vulnerability as environmental stress residual Research – application gap

SAVI PHASE 1 Initial funding: ICSU & IHDP Organizing Team Tim Quinlan, U of KwaZulu-Natal Karen O’Brien, CICERO–Oslo Mike Brklacich, Carleton U, Canada Coleen Vogel, U of Witswaterstrand

SAVI PHASE 1 MANDATE Develop long-term applied research program & network for southern Africa to address who is vulnerable, to what, why, and what can be done.

MAPUTO WORKSHOP June ‘03 Examine current human security threats Position GEC within context of other HS threats Identify key comprehensive vulnerability and human security policy issues Begin development of SAVI framwork

CAPE TOWN WORKSHOP Oct ’03 Continue developing a framework for assessing the multi-dimensional nature of human vulnerability in southern Africa. To continue building the practioner- researcher partnership.

W/S PARTICIPANTS Practioners & researchers Broad sectoral coverage Multiple case studies Wide regional representation Younger through more established practioners & researchers

W/S FINDINGS Human vulnerability is generated Stressor convergence deepens vulnerability Vulnerability increases when economic and social reforms decoupled Rethinking of defining vulnerable populations Cannot depoliticize vulnerability Human vulnerability – security continuum Capacity building key to process Build on vulnerability initiatives

ADVANCING SAVI PROCESS Disequilibrium and change as a norm, rather than as an anomaly Vulnerability as a consequence of inequitable contributions to stress, outcomes & response capacity Must address dynamic aspects of vulnerability Enhanced practioner-scientist interactions Build on existing initiatives Place-based research and comparative assessments

Enhancing human security To enhance human security of those most vulnerable to environmental, economic & social stresses in the southern Africa region.