Mark B.’s Post

Opening Extractives in Armenia: What a privilege to represent the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) International Secretariat on a visit to Yerevan with partners from Open Ownership! We conducted a workshop on verification of corporate reporting on beneficial ownership and how to use this information for screening mining license applications. The benefit of this work is to better manage risks of corruption and ensure compliance with sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations. Strengthening governance in this way contributes to responsible mining and a more sustainable extractives sector. The Armenian interagency and multi-stakeholder collaboration to achieve this goal was extremely impressive! Special thanks to Armenia EITI for the leadership and positive engagement to deliver this project. #beneficialownership #anticorruption #governance #AML #ESG #Armenia

We have a choice between two mindsets, fixed or growth. The end goal is a greater sense of free will. Conceptual model via Dr. Carol Dweck, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success.

Thanks EITI Albania for hosting interactive discussions in Tirana. We held a problem-solving session to identify strategies and pathways to address challenges in data collection for EITI reporting, stakeholder engagement and financial sustainability of EITI implementation in Albania. Industry and civil society members of the multi-stakeholder group displayed committment to solving these issues with support from the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) International Secretariat and partners at The World Bank. The Albanian government’s commitment to implementing the EITI Standard as part of its transparency and anti-corruption agenda is well aligned with Albania’s pursuit of EU membership.

I’m so proud of my colleagues in D-EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Germany) for this achievement in recognition of excellence in the implementation of the EITI Standard for good governance of natural resources!

Circle of Life: Last week, I reconnected with Kazakhstan on a visit to Almaty and Astana for meetings with government, industry and civil society representatives involved in implementation of the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative). What a pleasure to meet local people who remembered me from the diplomatic service 25 years ago. Imagine my great surprise to discover one of the current Kazakhstan EITI officeholders was a fellow high school exchange student way back in 1990! I am grateful to the EITI and the following organizations for the opportunities to acquire skills and serve in positions that have allowed me to experience life in Kazakhstan: Sister Cities International, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service, U.S. Department of State

Words of wisdom by my dear friend Kristen A. Shepherd who has embarked on an exciting new venture in consulting: “Life is like a beautiful tapestry; all of us, our professional experiences, our personal experiences, they all feed into the story of our lives. And what you hope you can do is share that experience and expertise in a way that is helpful and positive for others."

Celebrating my graduation!  I’m thrilled to share that Harvard University has awarded me the Master’s in Sustainability (ALM) degree with honors on the Dean’s list for academic achievement. My learning journey began during the pandemic. After twenty years out of the academic environment, it was a huge challenge to get back into graduate studies but further education was important for my professional goals related to environment, social and governance (ESG) issues. I wanted a flexible graduate program with distance learning options to fit around my full-time work and family responsibilities. In 2020, I began the sustainability program taught through the Harvard Extension School, which provides incredible access to faculty from across Harvard.  The ALM program offers several graduate certificates that students can earn along the way. With wonderful support from my academic advisor, Lacey Klingensmith, I was able to design a program that included two graduate certificates to concentrate my studies: Graduate Certificate in Corporate Sustainability and Innovation included life cycle assessment, sustainable business strategy, creating shared value and project management; Graduate Certificate in Natural Resource Management and Sustainable Ecosystems included courses in water resources management, sustainable ocean environments, marine policy and socio-ecological systems. The courses were highly demanding, covering technical subjects and requiring papers and projects that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. The classroom environment was interactive with opportunities to learn from diverse and international students. Many people contributed to my achievement. My family and friends provided constant support from getting started to overcoming obstacles and celebrating milestones. My colleagues at the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) provided encouragement and advice on natural resource management. My talented classmates contributed to my motivation and insight. I would like to acknowledge the following teaching assistants who impressed me with their exceptional energy and enthusiasm for the subject of sustainability: Terzah Tippin Poe, Susan Cahalan, PG, ISSP-SA, ALM, Yurika Nishioka, DSc, Casey Goodwin, Johan Arango-Quiroga and Daniel Goulart.  Allison (Ali) Frederick traveled with me on the entire learning journey, providing outstanding guidance and instruction during my first and final classes. Thank you! Looking ahead, I am focused on finding creative ways to apply my knowledge and skills in sustainability. My final project explored how to link extractives governance to sustainable development. This is an area with tremendous potential to drive positive change for citizens in resource-rich countries. Special thanks to my final project executive advisor Mamadou Bady Balde, who helped to shape the direction of my research, and Mark Robinson for his encouragement and advice on how to put my work into practice.  

Positive tipping points: We heard a lot in Dubai about the huge risks and catastrophic consequences of crossing planetary boundaries and earth system tipping points. But wait - before you give up - there is a hopeful message in a new report from the University of Exeter Global Systems Institute that helps to inspire action. We have the power to shift the system towards transformative and just positive tipping points, which can accelerate the transition to sustainability. One positive tipping point can create a domino effect of global change. Governance plays a driving role as illustrated in the conceptual model shown here. Learn more in the Global Tipping Points report available at https://lnkd.in/dY9pgMaF #tippingpoints, #positiveimpact, #globalchange, #cop28, #systemschange, #systemsthinking #governance

Critical Raw Materials – International Partnerships:  Thanks to the European Commission for hosting a valuable week of networking and learning during EU Raw Materials Week, November 13-16 in Brussels. I represented the EITI (Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative) International Secretariat at the conference held during the week when the EU reached political agreement on the Critical Raw Materials Act. International partnerships including with several EITI implementing countries were a highlight of the week.  I joined EITI Board member Mariya Lobacheva at the EU-Kazakhstan Business Forum where we met stakeholders from government and industry. Delegates from two additional EITI countries, Zambia and the DRC, presented investment opportunities and examples of collaboration with the EU. Many of our partners and donors were present including GIZ, the World Bank, the EBRD and several EITI supporting companies. The EITI provides a global standard and a multi-stakeholder process for delivering greater transparency and accountability in the raw materials sector. Earlier this year, the European Commission renewed a partnership agreement with the EITI aligned with EU strategic objectives.  Our work to improve governance in the extractive industries contributes to more sustainable raw material supply chains, local value creation, improved investment climate with due diligence requirements, and stronger environmental, social and governance standards through EITI reporting. #MiningOpportunities, #MineralDevelopment, #sustainablemining, #sustainabledevelopment, #criticalrawmaterials, #crma, #miningexploration, #internationalpartnerships, #governance, #governancematters, #justtransition, #energytransition, #naturalresources, #mineralresources, #kazakhstan, #drc, #zambia

Sustainable mining and just transition in Europe: Thanks to MINEX Europe for the opportunity to speak about how extractive industries governance supports the energy transition. It was a great pleasure to meet conference delegates in Wrocław, Poland. Stakeholders were interested in how to navigate the economic and social dimensions of the coal transition, the role of local community engagement in new mining projects, and the potential for Europe to produce minerals that are critical for green industries. The EITI multi-stakeholder model and data transparency requirements offer tools for developing a mining sector that can benefit all citizens of resource-rich countries. #MINEXEurope2023 #MiningForum #ExploreWroclaw #SustainableMining #CriticalRawMaterials #JustTransition #EuropeMiningEvent #MiningConference #WrocławMining #MINEXForum #MiningExploration #CentralEuropeMining #EasternEuropeMining #SouthernEuropeMining #EuropeanMiningConference #RawMaterialsForum #MiningIndustryEvent #MiningInnovation #MiningTech #MineralResources #MiningSustainability #EuropeanMiningForum #MiningFuture #WiderEuropeMining #MineralExploration #MINEXPoland #MiningConference2023 #MiningOpportunities #MineralDevelopment