Sean Light

The SEAN steps can also be used as a guide for a 3 days scoping workshop or 'quick scan' which might meet the set objectives of an analysis and planning exercise. This approach has been followed with the application of SEAN to develop a sustainable development strategy for the Centre Béninois de Développement Durable in Benin (see experiences). The following scheme gives an outline of an agenda for a 3 day workshop. It is based on the principle of:

steps that can easily be prepared based on existing data and information to save time, and are then presented to participants for approval and comments (steps 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 10);
steps involving major challenges in terms of integration and reflection, being executed in a participatory way (steps 3, 6, 8 and 9).

Day 1: Introduction and context analysis
Introduction Objectives Presentation summary steps 1 and 2 (stakeholders, environmental functions, main trends, cause-effect chains): verification, discussion Group work step 3 (trend-impact matrix with interactions between environmental changes and socio-economic impacts, emphasis on biodiversity values and future generations) Presentation summary step 4 (bottom-lines and desirable states / development views of stakeholders): verification, discussion
Day 2: Problem and opportunity analysis
Presentation summary step 5 also based on previous day (definition of environmental problems): verification, discussion Group work step 6 (problem analysis, finding proxy and root causes with key actors - proponents and opponents) Presentation summary step 7 (long list of opportunities): additions, verification, discussion Group work step 8 (opportunity analysis, finding potentials and constraints to realise opportunities, finding packages and win-win options, key actors involved - proponents and opponents)
Day 3: Strategic planning and follow-up
Summary and conclusions previous day: amendments, verification, discussion Integrating results of analyses of previous steps Group work step 9 (synthesis, main elements of a development vision, implications for actions at different levels (local à international), partnerships, gaps of knowledge, research programme, action programme) Presentation step 10 (development indicators for monitoring system): discussion General discussion on main outcomes Conclusions or agreements on follow-up activities

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SEAN Platform was developed by AIDEnvironment and SNV
financed by DGIS, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, The Netherlands.