"Community Expectations for Sustainable Development in Natural Resources Projects" Short Course Concludes

A thought-provoking and cutting-edge short course, "Community Expectations for Sustainable Development in Natural Resources Projects," came to a close last Friday with these conclusory comments by Luke Danielson: "One of our world's greatest needs is to integrate the idea that those who consume goods and materials need to also be concerned about the conditions under which these things are produced."

Mr. Danielson, a Gunnison attorney, principal in the Sustainable Development Strategies Group (SDSG), and widely-recognized international expert in addressing sustainable development matters in large natural resource development projects (for instance, mines, oil and gas projects, etc.) and his teaching partner Cecilia Dalupan, an attorney licensed in the Philippines and the U.S. and also a principal in SDSG, conducted the five day "short course" for a group of DU law and graduate students.

The course was organized in five components:

• Introduction: what is sustainable development in natural resources projects?
• Understanding each other: differences in culture, values, and ideas
• Sources of misunderstanding and conflict
• Incorporating communities in the decision process: managing conflict successfully
• Conclusion

Mr. Danielson and Ms. Dalupan presented a series of lectures, which provided the context for the major issues explored in the course. They also reflected on their own global experiences in dealing with the issues while encouraging students to reflect on the often vexing issues involved with natural resources development.

Among the course highlights included guest lectures from an outstanding array of leading figures such as:

• Robert Bassett, attorney with Holland & Hart (who also teaches International Mining Law in the DU graduate program)
• James F. Cress, attorney with Holme Roberts & Owen (who has also taught in the graduate program)
• Donald C. Ewigleben, executive officer of sustainability and legal affairs for mining firm AngloGold Ashanti, one of the world's leading gold producers
• Ralph Godell, attorney with Fognani & Faught
• George (Rock) Pring, DU law professor
• Don Proebstel, director of environmental affairs and sustainability for Natural Power Concepts
• Connie Rodgers, attorney with Davis Graham & Stubbs
• Jonathan Stacey, program manager for Rio-Tinto/Birdlife International Partnership
• Susan Waldau, partner with mediation firm CDR Associates

Another highlight involved student presentations that went on during the course of the week. Each student was assigned a topic to research, analyze, and then present to their colleagues. The presentations were provocative and often raised as many questions as they answered. For example, one of the presentations focused on the Chino mine closure in southwest New Mexico. Others dealt with projects that were located in Africa, South America, and elsewhere.

The week was a busy one to be sure. But from what I observed first-hand, the benefits were many both quantitatively and qualitatively.

In closing, Mr. Danielson said, "This has been just great. You as students have worked hard and really put your hearts into it." I could not have said it better.