MANAGEMENT OF MAB VIETNAM'S NETWORK OF BIOSPHERE RESERVES THROUGH THE APPROACH OF SYSTEM THINKING, LAND/SEASCAPE PLANNING, INTER-SECTORAL COORDINATION AND QUALITY ECONOMY (SLIQ)

摘要

This paper presents the current SLIQ approach for designating and managing Vietnam's network of biosphere reserves in Vietnam, with a case study of the Cat Ba Archipelago. The SLIQ approach is first introduced by MAB Vietnam, which stands for "Systems Thinking" (S), "Land/seascape and Spatial Planning" (L), "Intersectoral Coordination with Involvement of Stakeholders" (I), and "Quality Economy" (Q). The SLIQ approach has been piloted and implemented in the Cat Ba Archipelago Biosphere Reserve since 2004 with several remarkable outcomes. Those include the application of both "soft" and "hard" systems thinking methodology in the motto of "conservation for development and development for conservation" and the intensive research and development of the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve World's First Learning Laboratory for Sustainable Development; effective zoning plan for harmonious conservation and development, a pioneering management board of provincial mandate; the Biosphere Reserve Certification Label for adding values to local products and services, and the first of its kind Sustainable Development Fund for Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve. It is emphasized that Biosphere Reserve is not a Protected Area per se, though biosphere reserves integrate conservation as one of the core management objectives. Biosphere Reserve fulfills three main interrelating and mutually-sustaining functions, such as conservation, development and logistics support. In this sense, Biosphere Reserve should be viewed as a practical model for sustainable development. We recommend that SLIQ continue to be a unique identity-defining feature and operational framework for biosphere reserve performance in the coming decades.