US embassy cable - 05AMMAN3915

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 AMMAN 003915 
 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE PASS USAID 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: SENV, XF, JO 
SUBJECT: Enthusiastic Participation in EPA Environmental Law 
Workshop in Amman 
 
 
1.  Summary: Participants at a May 8-11 MEPI- and OES- 
sponsored EPA course on environmental law in Amman were so 
passionate and enthusiastic that they wouldn't stop talking, 
according to an EPA facilitator.  The professional caliber 
of the participants was high and represented a wide range of 
institutions, adding depth to the discussion.  End summary. 
 
19 Participants - Wide Geographic and Professional Range 
--------------------------------------------- ----------- 
2.  With funding from OES and a grant from State's Middle 
East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), three facilitators from 
the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) presented a 
four-day workshop in Amman on May 8-11 on the principles of 
environmental law and enforcement.  OES funding was in 
support of the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.  There was 
a total of nineteen participants (eleven from Jordan, two 
from Egypt, one from Tunisia, one from Yemen, two from the 
Palestinian Authority, and two from Algeria.)  There was one 
cancellation a week before the course, and four no-shows, 
including three from the large Jordanian group and a Yemeni. 
 
3.  The participants were geographically and institutionally 
diverse, representing central government, non-profit, NGOs, 
and regional government.  There were scientists, engineers, 
lawyers, and government officials in the group.  This 
diversity added real strength to the discussion because 
participants came with extremely different roles and skills. 
Their individual practical experiences in environmental 
protection were shared readily, and gave new perspectives to 
other participants. 
 
Minister Opens Class - Jordan Needs Economic Tools 
--------------------------------------------- ----- 
4.  Jordanian Minister of Environment Khaled Irani opened 
the class, emphasizing his desire to develop a prioritized 
national strategy so that the Ministry is not reactive.  He 
said that the Environmental Impact Assessment by-law is 
Jordan's most important environmental regulation, but added 
that Jordan lacks capacity in harnessing economic forces for 
environmental protection and in organizing an effective 
inspection regime.  Irani was forthright in thanking EPA for 
their support of the environment in Jordan. 
 
Biggest Problem - Lack of Enforcement 
------------------------------------- 
5.  In setting the groundwork for the course, several 
participants referred to a lack of enforcement as being the 
biggest environmental law issue in their country.  A related 
problem was a lack of knowledge among lawyers and judges 
about environmental issues.  Other items mentioned as 
problematic were a lack of legal standards, a lack of 
economic incentives for environmental protection, and a need 
for more public awareness. 
 
Facilitators Build Conceptual Framework, Not Minutiae 
--------------------------------------------- -------- 
6.  EPA's basic course framework, modified on the fly by the 
three EPA facilitators, effectively pointed out to the 
participants the sources of environmental law and 
implementation that they could draw on in their particular 
situation.  Because participants came from a wide variety of 
institutions and countries, there were too many variables 
from which to create a specific plan that would apply to 
each participant.  Instead, the facilitators introduced a 
framework approach that individual participants could tailor 
to their specific settings and needs. 
 
Closing Remarks - Kudos to EPA 
------------------------------ 
7.  Jordanian Environment Minister Irani spoke again at the 
wrap-up session, thanking EPA and the State Department for 
their support.  The participants told him they wanted to 
form a regional network of environmental law officials, and 
Irani graciously designated a member of his staff to serve 
as the node for this nascent group.  Several participants 
complimented the professional skills of the EPA facilitators 
and said they were "very impressed." 
 
Positive and Negative Aspects of the Course 
------------------------------------------- 
8.  Strong points of the course were the passionate, open 
discussion that took place from the very first session, the 
professional knowledge of the participants, and the 
diversity of their career roles.  The course was driven by 
the participants and they were "not shy," according to one 
EPA facilitator, about asking questions and sharing their 
own experiences. 
 
9.  One aspect of the course that merits further evaluation 
was the absence of a professional translator from a group 
where several participants were not proficient in English. 
Participants from the course filled the void and translated 
when necessary.  While this may have actually improved the 
quality and depth of the interaction in some ways, it also 
put a tremendous burden on the individuals who translated, 
detracting from their ability to participate on their own 
right. 
 
10.  Getting names of participants from the host governments 
was a time-consuming task, as was making the travel 
arrangements.  Key factors to success were an early start, 
dogged work by EPA's logistics contractor INECE and support 
from embassies around the region to facilitate communication 
between participants and INECE. 
 
Outcomes: Reform, Environmental Protection, Rule of Law 
--------------------------------------------- ---------- 
11.  Comment: This class clearly promoted several USG goals 
in the region.  Attendees saw the United States as a partner 
and participant in their issues.  They were given tools with 
which to reform, from the inside, their own environmental 
law systems, advancing U.S. interests in rule of law, 
transparent governance and environmental protection.   The 
value of stakeholder participation was emphasized, not only 
by EPA facilitators but by the simple presence of a diverse 
group from Jordan and in remarks by Minister Irani.  The 
strong support and participation from Jordan pushed the 
event over the top, making it truly regional and 
participatory, with lasting value. 
 
HALE