University Honors Program Student Hanne Beener Named One of Martin Institute Scholars

UI’s Martin Institute Develops Scholars, International Problem Solvers

Dec. 20, 2005

MOSCOW, Idaho – Three University of Idaho students are looking intensely at Latin America. Not for a spring break escape, but rather to research areas of conflict in protected areas and develop solutions.

The first three students selected to participate in the Martin Institute’s Scholars Program – Hanne Beener, Curlew, Wash.; Sarah MacEachern, Riggins; and Nancy Patterson, Cedar Rapids, Iowa – are studying parks and protected areas management in Ecuador and Guatemala. They assert that management practices that involve governmental offices and non-governmental organizations (NGO) negatively affect protected areas and exacerbates social conditions for local populations.

“Our research encompasses the Petén region of Guatemala – particularly Tikal Park with its fascinating Mayan ruins – and the Galapagos Islands,” said Patterson, a senior majoring in international studies, Spanish and Latin America studies. “We are studying the history and the organizations – government and NGO – that work in these protected areas.”

She said that the group will look at different topics, including resources, economics and politics. “The unique biodiversity, vast spectrum of cultural and ethnic groups, rapid development and history of political disorganization make these regions significant for study and analysis.”

Their research also will focus on land issues and social inequalities, which they have identified as two of the most volatile issues impacting Latin America’s political, social and economic history.

“Miscommunication between governmental and NGOs, coupled with the unresolved social issues concerning indigenous and peasant populations, has direct correlation to effective park and protected area management,” said Beener, who will earn her degrees in international studies, Spanish and Latin American studies and a minor in conservation social science next year.

World Heritage Sites, such as these two areas, are deemed by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to have exceptional universal value and are protected and preserved against threats of changing social and economic conditions and natural decay. Still, extensive trafficking of endangered species, logging and theft of antiquities, among other things, exists.

“As World Heritage Sites, these areas have strict access and use regulations, but unlawful use of the parks and protected areas is still rampant,” said Beener. “As part of our research, we want to know why this illicit use is ongoing. It has a large impact on historical features, not to mention environmental degradation. We are trying to ascertain if this is because of enforcement issues or a lack of coordination between the parties involved.”

She said that good management strategies can make the protected areas more useful. The group also is discussing how the designation of World Heritage Site affects management. “We want to know if these parks would be managed differently without this designation,” said Beener.

Human impact and how people are included or excluded from these naturally and culturally significant areas are other components the group is examining.

“Indigenous people need to be included in management policies,” said MacEachern, a senior in international studies and Spanish. “We want to address their longstanding exclusion, and show how their inclusion can lead to a decrease in social inequality.”

She said the group also is looking at the progression of colonizers into these protected areas and their impact. She said that on the Galapagos Islands, one of the largest problems the group identified is invasive species that are introduced by visitors.

“Again, this comes back to laws being broken. These laws look strict – and appear to outsiders like they’re effective – but they’re often not enforced at all,” said MacEachern. “It’s apparent all over the Galapagos. How else would cows get on the islands? They’re definitely not native.”

Over the course of a year, the scholars develop a thesis, research issues surrounding protected areas and write an informative article for a scholarly journal. While not master’s level, their thesis carries a lot of weight. The group will present to the Martin Institute’s advisory board. As part of the program’s requirements, they maintain office hours in the institute and meet regularly for a roundtable discussion with fellow Martin Scholars.

Bill Smith, interim director of the Martin Institute for Peace Studies and Conflict Resolution, said this first group of scholars was selected because of their outstanding work in the international studies degree program. “In this case, the project is perfectly suited to these students in particular. All have been abroad to the general areas they are studying. All are fluent in Spanish, which allows them access to documents they couldn’t otherwise read,” he said.

Smith plans for the program to become interdisciplinary, branching out to all the colleges. He’s in talks with faculty from UI’s political science and geography departments to participate next year.

“This program is designed to let a small cadre of students work toward a defined goal focusing on international conflict,” he said. “The goal this year is to publish in a scholarly journal. Future goals will be developed with the particular faculty mentor, and might include things such as podcasting.”

He said the program allows undergraduate students to work closely with a faculty member and become familiar with the rigorous research required on the graduate level. Future topics will be selected in advance; those interested in a set topic may apply. Applications for the 2006-2007 academic year should be available in mid-February. Participants must be seniors; a one-year commitment is required. Scholars will receive a $1,000 stipend.

The Martin Institute for Peace Studies and Conflict resolution is an inter-disciplinary research, teaching and service center at UI. It was founded to advance research and teaching about the causes of conflict and peaceful resolution. For additional information, phone (208) 885-6527 or visit the Web site at www.martin.uidaho.edu.