United Nations Environment Programme
environment for development
  中文   Français
Beverly Miller
Beverly Miller
Topic: Gender Aspects of Global Environmental Governance
Beverly A. Miller joined UNEP in March 1988, as Senior Programme Officer and later as the Deputy Director in the Regional Coordinating Unit (RCU) of the Caribbean Environment Programme (Kingston, Jama...
About Icon
Number of questions: [5]
Posted on 07/03/2007 18:10:10
how to be qualified as an employee in UNEP?
I have great interest and intend to prepare for being a employee in UNEP. Currently, I AM doing my phd program in environmental engineering. Great thanks.

What is your opinion about Chinese economic development at the cost of ecosystem and environment? Although we are doing much better to improve this, do you think environment and economy can be bring together into one side?
Hui Wang (from China (People's Republic of ))
It is good to know that you are interested in being a UNEP employee!! Information on employment in UNEP can be found on the UNEP Webpage: www.unep.org/vacancies.

The bringing together of environment and economics is what is meant by sustainable development. As we develop in this twenty-first century we are fortunate to be able to use the knowledge gained by others on how to reduce the negative impact of economic development as this will ensure that development is sustainable. A number of economic instruments now exist that enable us to value in monetary terms the sunset, a babbling stream or a field of wild flowers.

Posted on 07/03/2007 12:38:02
Dear Ms Miller,
Is this year's International Women's Day a cause to celebrate or to grieve the role of women in environmental protection? Kind regards,
Joelle (from Canada)
This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) is most definitely a cause to celebrate the role of women in environmental protection. The theme of this year’s IWD, “Ending impunity for violence against women” calls into focus the violence that is perpetuated against women due to the degradation of the environment. The world experienced an unprecedented media blitz in especially the last quarter of 2006 on the environment. This exposure augurs well for the taking of the much-needed decisions to safeguard the environment of the planet. The wealth of information that is currently being disseminated on climate change is but one example, where this information has led to a number of positive actions being taken. We are well aware that women on a global level especially feel the impact of the climate change phenomenon.

Posted on 07/03/2007 09:40:41
In what ways is the Gender Aspect important in your area of expertise, especially in terms of equity and equality?
Jane Smith (from Kenya)
The gender aspect is vital to having a balanced approach to the management and governance of the Environment. The input of women in decision-making as it relates to the exploitation and management of resources is a necessary requirement for the achievement of sustainable development. While the term equity is a must for the process of achieving environmental sustainability - one of the main pillars of sustainable development - it is not felt that the term equality is of much relevance, in this context, in view of the complementary but differentiated roles that gender play in the development process.

Posted on 07/03/2007 06:18:52
Dear Dr Miller Beverly
I am a woman editor and journalist of China Environment News whose about 200000 readers are from all parts of China. Tommarrow will be International Women’s Day which marks the role of women in both the past and the present. Would you please say some words on women’s roles in environmental protection to our women readers in China? Please also tell us the things women environmentalists should pay attention to. And please tell us the women examples in environmental protection in the world.
Many thanks.
Looking forward to your earlier reply.
Sincerely yours,
Zhang Xiaoqing
Editor and Journalist of China Environment News
Email:xq-zhang@vip.163.com
Fax: 8610-67113772
Tel: 8610-67116239
Xiaoqing Zhang (from China (People's Republic of ))
The role of women in environmental protection is fundamental as women, being culture bearers are in the primary position of passing on to the next generation appropriate principles for sound environmental management practices. These are the same principles used for generations to safe guard the environment (the areas in which we live) be it in the urban or rural areas. A good example is the planting of trees, the use of terracing, modes of fishing as well as the love for nature in its many forms.

Women environmentalists should ensure that their voices are heard at the decision making level with respect to resources, their exploitation and use.

Posted on 07/03/2007 06:13:50
What strategies do you propose for educating policy-makers in your area of specialization ?
Centre for Environment Education (from India)
Adequate strategies for the education of policy-makers in the area of gender and environment include: (i) in-depth analysis of the roles to be played by both men and women in the appropriate management of the environment; (ii) education of policy-makers to increase their knowledge and sensitivity to the environment; (iii) outreach programmes on the environment to all levels of society.