David Levy – Are you thinking about Marinet’s future? – Nov 17
The primary functionaries of Marinet Ltd remain myself and Stephen, both of whom are looking for our successors. The question is where will these people come from?
We would hope by broadening our appeal to the social media, and by encouraging the development of the feminine perspective on marine issues, we would be seeing the shoots of the future.
So far the people who have contributed could not find the time to run the organization, and this is a common theme expressed by those who rise to the surface like cream.
Our continuing ability to press the boundaries for change has meant that Marinet Ltd is busy with issues that seem to have dropped off the radar for other NGOs.
In fact the failure we have faced in engaging in a business relationship with any NGO is the most frustrating and difficult aspect to convey to anyone who has not been privy to past history. The public perception of NGOs is one of them as the public’s face of concern — but the public’s knowledge of the faces and names of those who lead these NGOs is still shrouded in ignorance.
In other words, the public believe that they are being served environmentally by these organisations. However it’s a mirage. Government has effectively neutered, via charitable law, the ability of any non-governmental organisation to challenge their governance.
Few understand this, even less know how to out-manoeuvre the system — and it will be essential that our successors are conversant with these facts:-
- Marinet Ltd, if it wishes to have an independent voice, must not seek charitable status.
- The marine world, despite all the rhetoric, is still in decline.
- Enforcement of marine law still remains the missing element, and this will require an agency of UN status and funding.
- Seas and oceans require full protection now, backed up by enforcement.
- Governance requires the feminine perspective, and this applies equally to our leadership.
- The politics of the marine world is complex, and requires that we pick our battles to ones we have a chance of winning.
- Our funding has been reliant on our members, will this continue?
- Are we still relevant, and should we change direction?
- If leaders fail to come forward, should Marinet close down or keep a presence on-line?
- Public Consultation is a tool to make you think you have a say, whereas challenge and exposure is far more effective for change.
Both Stephen and I are steeped in experience about marine governance nationally and internationally. We have attended and taken part in the formulation of UK law and European guidance, and are able to brief any person who wishes to engage. We have watched as endless hours of debate have led to ineffective governance, and where decisions have been made but have not been carried out.
We had hoped the NGO Movement could have functioned together to campaign for enforcement, but this failed to materialize for reasons already mentioned.
The purpose for this blog is brevity, and a call in cyberspace for the future.
Interested?
David Levy
