Project Description
Companion Modeling (ComMod) is a participatory approach that has been used all over the world in order to help stakeholders collectively deal with a given issue (e.g. multiple uses of natural resources; conflict resolution; value chain organization; land use planning; etc.). In this participatory process, agent-based modeling (ABM) provides a way to link the biophysical and socioeconomic characteristics of a catchment system. Setting up communication platforms is one way to ensure that marginalized groups are not left out. Moreover, by using ABM in a participatory way to examine scenarios of resource sharing, it may be possible to elicit stakeholders’ knowledge and perceptions of water dynamics, stimulate dialogue, and promote better coordination among users. MK18 experimented with scaling-up past uses of the ComMod approach to water and land management in the Nam Theun-Nam Kading basin. In this setting, the project attempted to achieve lasting impacts for environmental management and empowerment at both the local and national levels. The aim was to establish a dynamic and autonomous learning-by-doing process through the use of participatory role-playing games and accompanying computer models in order to help individuals at all levels better make decisions about resource management in the basin.
partners
MK18 was led by the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement (French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development), working in partnership with Chiang Mai University, Ubon Ratchathani University and Chulalongkorn University in Thailand. In the Lao PDR, the local partners are the Nam Theun-Nam Kading River Basin Committee Secretariat, the Faculty of Environmental Science and Development and the Faculty of Engineering of the National University of Laos.
Outputs
1st ComMod Workshop Report
MK18 Team and The Nam Theun-Nam Kading River Basin Committee Secretariat Download publication
2nd ComMod Workshop Report
MK18 Team and The Nam Theun-Nam Kading River Basin Committee Secretariat Download publication
3rd ComMod Workshop Report
MK18 Team and The Nam Theun-Nam Kading River Basin Committee Secretariat Download publication
4th ComMod Workshop Report
MK18 Team and The Nam Theun-Nam Kading River Basin Committee Secretariat Download publication
5th ComMod Workshop Report
MK18 Team and The Nam Theun-Nam Kading River Basin Committee Secretariat Download publication
Funding
MK18 is funded by a CPWF grant.MK18 is funded by a CPWF grant.
Duration
January 2012 to April 2014
Contact the team:
Project Co-Leader: Dr Patrick D’Aquino – patrick.daquino@cirad.fr
Project Co-Leader: Dr Panomsak Promburom – panomsakp@gmail.com
Project Coordinator in the Lao PDR: Mr Paolo Campo – paolo.campo.mk18@gmail.com
