Strengthening the culture of dialogue to bridge the science-policy-practice interface for sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services

BES-Net Trialogues are multi-stakeholder dialogues focusing on specific policy questions at the national and regional levels. The Trialogues bring together the three BES-Net communities of science, policy and practice into clear and constructive dialogue; hence the name ‘Trialogue’.

Regional Trialogues

At the regional level, Trialogues aim at strengthening the interface between science/traditional knowledge, policy and practice, and enhance national capacity to integrate findings and recommendations from the IPBES Thematic Assessments into policy, planning and on-the-ground programmes and projects. Experience has shown that scientific reports and one-way transfer of information alone does not strengthen capacity nor lead to inclusive and effective decision-making. The Trialogue methodology, therefore, seeks to provide a space to foster mutual learning, inter-cultural understanding and inter-institutional coordination. For more information please down load the information note here. With improved awareness and enhanced network around the IPBES assessment themes, the participants of the Regional Trialogues have been leading the evidence-based uptake effort by promoting policy reforms, undertaking new research studies and organizing sensitization events, across the world. Please check out the inspiring post-Trialogue “Bright Spots” cases.

National Trialogues

At the national level, the Trialogue approach is used to create a three-way dialogue between scientists, policymakers and practitioners (e.g. local and indigenous communities, farmers, businesses, civil society and NGOs, etc.) in support of the ongoing National Ecosystem Assessments (NEAs) process in Cameroon, Colombia, Ethiopia and Vietnam. Trialogues help strengthen the participation of key stakeholders into the assessment process, build their awareness and capacity, and increase uptake of the assessment report recommendations. It is important to involve policymakers in the crafting of policy questions for NEA: policy questions that are relevant to their mandate in short- and medium-term. It is also critical to understand and integrate local knowledge in order to: i) fully include all biodiversity values in the assessment; ii) understand the impacts and trade-offs of different policy recommendations (in terms of their impact and appropriateness for the different local contexts); iii) ensure that the proposed actions are fair, feasible, appropriate and achievable; and iv) engage local champions for any change in behavior and/or support for new approaches that are needed in order.