Ecosystem Governance and the Trialogue Debate: An Overview of the Trialogue Relationship and the Engagement along Interfaces

Sustainable development is recognised as being core to the concept of good ecosystem governance, as is the amity of the relationship between government and society in the co-management of the environment. This relationship between government and society is a complex one, influenced by certain factors, including political and socio-economic systems, societal culture and science and technology. Science is believed to play a fundamental role in (i) understanding the relationship between government and society; (ii) capacitating society to enable them to engage effectively with government; and (iii) supporting government in the development of scientifically- sound policies and programmes, which aim to find a balance between development and ecosystem protection.

The Trialogue that develops between government, society and science and the engagement of the three partners along the Trialogue interfaces, is a dynamic and complex interaction, influenced by the political system of a country, the maturity and age of its democracy, the culture of the government departments and the conditions of society. Three models which look at the strength and rate of engagement along the Trialogue interfaces in an undemocratic society, a fledgling democracy and a maturing democracy are briefly discussed.