International Mountain Day 2010

Mountain regions are inhabited by 10% of the world’s population, and over half of the world’s population relies on the resources that these regions have to offer. These regions cover one quarter of the world’s surface. These fragile and ever changing ecological systems provide large quantities of water, forestry, agriculture, rich biological diversity, great areas of recreation, tourism and social and cultural heritage. Mountain regions contribute significantly to the world economy on many scales. At the same time, life in the mountains is quite challenging in comparison to the living conditions of non-mountain regions. High altitude, remoteness, and lack of developed infrastructure create a difficult environment for mountain communities. Because of this, in many parts of the world covered by mountains one can see a breeding ground for poverty, unemployment, terrorism and other undesirable factors.

The UN General Assembly assigned the year 2002 to be the year of the mountains. The intention of the assembly was to raise awareness of the mountain communities of the world and the unique challenges they face. The assembly hoped to highlight not only the ecological and economical importance of the mountain areas but also to educate governments and peoples that preservation of these areas is essential, not only to mountain regions but lowland regions as well. The goal of having the year of the mountains was to focus expertise to mountain communities and effectively foster sustainable mountain development. The year was such a success that the United Nations named the 11 of December of every following year to be International Mountain Day.

This past December 11 was highlighted by a celebration in Utah at Utah Valley University with groups from many regions around the globe and sharing portions of their culture. There were a variety of presentations from faculty members, like Dr. David Wilson, who focuses on Native Americans issues at UVU and Dr. David Connelly, political Science coordinator at History and Political Science Department of UVU.

There was also culture and hoop dancing from Native Americans of the Navajo Tribe.

UVU student, and Miss United Nations Nilofar from Tajikistan organized several items from their fashion show. From different mountain areas of the globe.

There were also many other events that took place and cultures that were represented.

There were also many prevalent members of the community involved including state representative Chris Herrod. The efforts of Dr. Rusty Butler also greatly contributed to the success of the event.

This March UVU plans to host “Women of the Mountains-2” and it will be a new milestone in its pioneering role in developing ties with mountain communities worldwide and strengthening presence of UVU and Utah as a whole on the map of the activities of international community. It is, indeed a very good development and reason for both UVU and all supporters and friends of the agenda of sustainable mountain development to celebrate today’s International Mountain Day.

Studies, High Altitudes Linked to Suicide

There was recently an article published, Studies, High Altitudes Linked to Suicide some of the unique challenges that mountain regions face. The Mountain Partnership has identified that mountain regions face distinct challenges from their lowland counterparts. By joining various organizations and regions the Mountain Partnership has sought to solve problems such as these through "...addressing the challenges of sustainable mountain development by linking and working together: tapping the wealth and diversity of expertise, information, knowledge and skills from and between one another, to stimulate concrete action that will bring meaningful change to the world's mountain people and environments." The Mountain Partnership was created for the specific purpose to create a dialogue between mountain regions to communicate in a rapidly globalizing world and help facilitate growth and progress.

Orem City Joins The Mountain Partnership

On Tuesday January 11 the city of Orem became the first city in the state of Utah and only the second city, behind Aspen Colorado, in the United States to join the Mountain Partnership. The Orem City Council voted unanimously on a resolution to support the membership of the Mountain Partnership and authorized Mayor Washburn to sign the Mountain Partnership application. Interim City Manager Bruce Chesnut recommended to the Council that by resolution “support the City of Orem’s membership in the Mountain Partnership, a voluntary alliance of partners dedicated to improving the lives of people and protecting mountain environments around the world.” Dr. Odell Miner adjunct professor and Former Ambassador to the US and Canada from Kyrgyzstan, and visiting guest lecturer Baktybek Abdrisaev, of the History and Political Science Department at Utah Valley University were instrumental in bringing together information to help the city of Orem join.
According to its website, The Mountain Partnership is a voluntary coalition 50 countries, 16 intergovernmental organizations and 107 major groups (e.g. civil society, NGOs and the private sector). An official UN partnership, it was launched at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002. Previous to its entrance, The United Nations had already recognized the diligent work the city of Orem has contributed to mountain regions through the Orem Declaration of Mountain Women, which recognized the important role that women play in the vital growth of mountain regions. Each of the members play a role through initiatives to create sustainable mountain development. It is also the mission of the Mountain Partnership to raise awareness and tackle the unique challenges that mountain areas present to its inhabitants.
There is increasing demand around the world for quality, high-value products. In particular, for foods and beverages such as coffee, honey, herbs and spices and for handicrafts, cosmetics and medicines. But even though many of these sought-after products originate in mountain areas, mountain people rarely exploit their market potential and reap the benefits of production. Instead they are often still engaged in producing staple commodities with fluctuating prices. Mountains are rich in resources, yet many mountain people live in poverty. Creating new income-generating activities and enhancing traditional or alternative employment opportunities will help conserve mountain environments and improve the livelihoods of mountain people.
The Mountain Partnership was formed with the intention to educate and not only members of mountain communities, but those of all regions on the importance that mountain regions play on the global scale. Sustainable development in mountain regions is vital to stability for all regions. For example, Switzerland, recognizing the uniqueness and potential of its mountains, adopted special mountain policies. As a result, policies were developed which have turned Switzerland’s mountains into some of the most prosperous regions in the country. Among these policies:mountain communities were given more power to determine their region's development path and how local resources were used, national subsidies were created for agriculture and other forms of development in mountain regions, health care and education were improved to a great extent, profits from tourism were put into the hands of local people rather than being siphoned off to urban centres
Utah’s, and especially Orem’s success can be attributed to many hardworking people who over the years have been governed by proficient principles creating an affluent atmosphere. Utah has an exceptionally diverse economy that has adequately adapted to its unique geography high up in the Rocky Mountains. These include financial services, general services, manufacturing, mining, farming and military and government jobs. Utah’s unemployment remains well below the national average and enjoys a relatively successful standard of living for its citizens. Many people from various states have sought residence in Utah due to its economic opportunities, low cost of living and great familial atmosphere. Utah is also a hotspot when it comes to tourism and recreation. Utah’s mountains contain adventure from skiing in the cottonwoods to hiking the subway in Zions National Park. Many people also come to Utah to hunt, fish, rock climb, hike and tour the many great sites that Utah has to offer.
In the short span of 150 years the people of Utah have changed a desolate desert wasteland into one of the most successful and flourishing mountain regions in the world. Through the Mountain Partnership Orem will be able to network with other members and nations with mountain regions and share principles of success through already designed initiatives. The mountain partnership is a practical system where mountain communities can easily share ideas and best methods with each other.
In the City of Orem Utah Valley University is already a member of the Mountain Partnership and has been able to network, through the Mountain Partnership, with other mountainous nations, regions and groups around the globe striving to improve life in mountainous areas. The most recent project UVU will be working on with the Mountain Partnership is its preparations to host the 2011 Women of the Mountains Conference. Diplomats and representatives from various nations, NGO’s and groups, including the President of the Mountain Partnership Doug Maguire will attend as Utah Valley University hosts the conference, and facilitates the sharing of ideas to create more conducive environments for mountain women to play a more involved and integral role in the development of their communities.
Through the Mountain Partnership the city of Orem will have the opportunity to further increase its reputation throughout the world as a leader in the development of mountain nations and an excellent example that other mountain regions will be able to emulate. hte Mountain Partnership has high hopes for the future of Mountain regions and has expressed them; these include, roads, railways and telecommunications systems that have opened mountain communities to outside influences. These changes have been both good and bad for mountain people. Better transportation, for example, makes it easier for mountain people to move their goods to markets. At the same time, imported goods have become cheaper and more widely available in mountain communities. Some of these imported goods are displacing indigenous products. In the Andes, for example, the recent sudden availability of synthetic yarns has severely diminished the local demand for hand-spun, naturally dyed wools. As access to mountain regions increases, so too does the potential for exploitation of mountain people and mountain resources. Putting power back into the hands of mountain people and advocating policies and practices that ensure equitable access to and distribution of the benefits from mountain rangeland, water, forests and mining are important steps towards alleviating poverty in mountain communities and, in turn, protecting mountain resources.

Jesse Gray Student at UVU

Photos courtesy of
http://www.areavibes.com/orem-ut/city-guide/ and
http://www.alparc.org/news/news-from-the-network-alparc/first-workshop-on-mountain-environmental-education