The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) is
an international partnership, established to reverse the
global degradation of coral reefs. In this paper, the ICRI
process is outlined and placed within an international
policy framework. The outcomes of Þve regional ICRI
workshops are also summarized with respect to threats to
coral reefs and needs for their conservation and management.
One global priority is to develop and/or establish
multi-stakeholder partnerships involving the public and
private sectors, NGOs, the scientiÞc community and, in
particular, local communities. This reßects growing skepticism
that governments alone can bear the responsibility
for managing and protecting the environment. The theme
of ÔpartnershipsÕ is then discussed and a framework for
their establishment is presented. This is followed by a synthesis
of experiences and lessons learned in fostering the
involvement of stakeholders in resource management.
Finally, it is argued that much of the debate between Ôtopdown
Õ versus Ôbottom-upÕ approaches is misplaced and
that attention should focus, instead, on the need to link
local concerns, needs and actions to the national and
international governance structures that have been developed
to conserve and manage the global environment.