Browsing by Author "Craps, Marc"

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    A sensemaking perspective on the roll-out of transdisciplinary learning communities in an academic environment from Bolivia
    (Universidad Católica Boliviana "'San Pablo". Programa VLIR - UOS., 2021-05-23) Peres-Cajías, Guadalupe; Bauwens, Joke; Craps, Marc; Loots, Gerrit
    Through a sensemaking lens, this article investigates the concrete appropriation of the so-called transdisciplinary learning communities-approach (TLC for short) as part of a Flemish–Bolivian university cooperation project for development. The article has its empirical basis in ethnographic research conducted between 2017 and 2020 on four campuses of the Bolivian university UCB. The primary data is the so-called organisational talk, gathered through interviews, participant observations, and meetings with Bolivian university staff members who are the main players involved in the Flemish–Bolivian university cooperation project. The analysis suggests that an informal, horizontal, and symmetrical style of organisational communication between organisational members seems to have a positive impact on the appropriation of TLC, which in turn leads to more successful experiences of cooperation with communities and other external partners in the social environment.
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    Framing Water Policies: A Transdisciplinary Study of Collaborative Governance; the Katari River Basin (Bolivia)
    (Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo". VLIR-UOS., 2022-11-18) Agramont Akiyama, Afnan; Peres-Cajías, Guadalupe; Villafuerte Philippsborn, Leonardo; Van Cauwenbergh, Nora; Craps, Marc; Van Griensven, Ann
    Collaborative water governance deals with diverse actors under participatory systems of decision making. This form of water governance involves stakeholders with fundamentally different values and premises about water resources, as well as different understandings of the problem and how to approach it. Thus, one of the major challenges of collaborative water governance relies on the diversity of frames carried by stakeholders involved and the shift from hierarchical decision-making to a more collaborative and participative process. The fragmentation of frames can represent an obstacle, impede mutual understanding, and negatively influence decision making and policy outcomes. Based on participative observation, interviews, and document analysis, we explored the drivers behind the framing process in the multi-actor platform of the Katari River Basin, located in Bolivia. The results highlight a participatory process design favoring the fragmentation of frames and a unidirectional decision-making process, where public authority, scientific–technical expertise, and the local community’s knowledge are insulated, and communication among actors is asymmetrical. At the same time, this research reveals the influence of the political context in the framing process.
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    Integrating spatial and social characteristics in the DPSIR framework for the sustainable management of river basins: case study of the Katari River Basin, Bolivia
    (Universidad Católica Boliviana "San Pablo". VLIR-UOS., 2021-10-25) Agramont, Afnan; Van Cauwenbergh, Nora; van Griesven, Ann; Craps, Marc
    The drivers–pressures–state–impact–responses (DPSIR) framework has been used widely to support environmental policy developments. However, we argue that DPSIR tends to oversimplify the complexity behind socio-ecological systems. Based on the Katari River Basin in Bolivia, we explore how the incorporation of spatial and social considerations may enhance DPSIR applications. The results reveal a spatial mismatch between driving forces/pressures and policy responses, and severe impacts on the vulnerable communities. Moreover, we also show that local levels tend to be neglected. The study concludes that integrating spatial and social characteristics in the DPSIR may result in valuable implications for river basin management practitioners.
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    Transdisciplinary Learning Communities to Involve Vulnerable Social Groups in Solving Complex Water-Related Problems in Bolivia
    (2019-02-22) Agramont, Afnan; Craps, Marc; Balderrama, Melina; Huysmans, Marijke
    Bolivia has influenced the international water arenas as a pioneer of the Human Water RightsDeclarationbeforetheUnitedNationsGeneralCouncil. However,despiteapositivebutrather ideologicalevolution,thecountryisstillfacingseveralwaterchallengesinpractice. Watergovernance is extremely complex due to intricate social structures, important spatial and temporal differences in the availability of water resources, ecological fragility, and weak institutions. A Transdisciplinary Learning Community approach has been adopted by the Universidad Católica Boliviana to take into account the complexity of the water problems caused by social, hydrological, and ecological system imbalances. In this approach, researchers and non-academic actors work closely together to integrate different ways of conceiving, using, valuing, and deciding on water issues. The approach aims at co-creating resilient solutions by recovering and restoring not only the ecological system, but also the social system in which all actors are aware of their role and responsibility. We explain the challenges and concerns raised by this approach in a case study of the Katari River Basin (KRB), whichisimpactedbyahighdegreeofcontaminationthatismainlycausedwhilecrossingElAltocity, leading to dramatic consequences for the Lake Titicaca ecosystem and its surrounding communities.