At Rare, we believe that if one’s actions cause environmental problems, one should also be part of the solution. Our work involves encouraging communities to adopt sustainable behaviours, and we rely on behavioural science insights to shape our intervention strategies for lasting change.
Paolo Roberto Domondon
MPA 2012
Senior director of policy and partnerships, Rare
Non-profit Organization Management
Our largest global programme, Fish Forever, empowers coastal communities to put an end to overfishing. The best thing for me is seeing our work support over 1.6 million people from more than 1,000 communities in eight countries, and knowing that our solutions can be replicated elsewhere.
This year alone, we’ve held a “Mothers of the Mangroves” campaign in Brazil, highlighting how Brazilian women guard the ecosystem that supports their lives and livelihoods. In Indonesia, we rolled out campaigns in 170 coastal communities to decrease the intrusion of fishing boats into protected waters. Our similar campaigns in Honduras have resulted in greater compliance with fishing regulations to sustain fish stocks. In Mozambique, we supported the establishment of its first community-managed “no take” marine zone, following the approval of a related national policy.
I lead Rare's policy and government engagement work, and our teams help governments to develop landmark policies that will better the lives of vulnerable coastal communities. We carry out landscape assessments, brainstorm policy innovations, and promote best practices. On top of this, we make sure our proposed policies follow the principles of good design, which means they should be participatory, inclusive, transparent, and evidence-based. One of our exciting initiatives this year is launching Coastal 500, the only global network of mayors and government leaders of coastal communities. We currently have 120 mayors from eight countries who have pledged to sustain coastal fisheries, build resilience, protect habitats, and help communities who depend on them.
I lead Rare's policy and government engagement work, and our teams help governments to develop landmark policies that will better the lives of vulnerable coastal communities.
I didn’t know it then, but enrolling in the LKY School was one of the best decisions I’ve made for my career. I can attest that the MPA has helped me technically—as recently as in the last few months, I’ve referred to my Public Administration notes and case studies, which I used to map out how decentralised government policies could contribute to sustainable environmental management. My Public Finance and Policy Analysis notes have also been useful in my work!
If you’re passionate about social and environmental issues, this is the time to be working for the environment. The work is extremely urgent, and we have the global momentum, the political and individual will, and the capacity and resources to change the course for our planet. We owe it to our children—and our children’s children—to act now.
Paolo Roberto Domondon
Master in Public Administration (MPA 2012)
Paolo Domondon is senior director of policy and partnerships at Rare, an organisation that motivates individuals to play a part in ensuring the long-term health of our natural world.