Endorsement and References:

We are pleased to present the following sample of selected endorsements and references for our project work, both old and new! Quick links to email addresses for recent references are provided. More are available on request.

References for our projects in late 2005 and 2006 include:

"Recently Mr. Fuller conducted an evaluation consultancy for the Mountain Societies Development Support Program which is a project of the Aga Khan Development Network. During his time in Tajikistan Mr. Fuller demonstrated a positive and pleasant attitude in the collection of information and documentation required to fulfill his TOR.

His ability to comprehend the MSDSP programs and needs were apparent early in his consultancy and as a result Mr. fuller was able to fulfill what was a very large job in a relatively short time frame. This resulted in the delivery of a highly useable and well considered set of suggestions and program changes that will ultimately improve quality while increasing efficiency and customer satisfaction. Improvements offered will result in a more manageable system.

Mr. Fuller has proven to be very helpful and professional in his work for MSDSP. We would like to express our gratitude and warm regards for his future work and efforts as well as to offer future employers a vote of confidence in deciding upon using Mr. Fuller's services." (Geoff Hathaway)

• Geoff Hathaway, Mountain Societies Development Support Program, Tajikistan - geoff.hathaway@akdn.org
  
  
  
• Inge Gaerke, GFA Consultants - Hamburg, Germany - inge.gaerke@gfa-group.de
  
  
• Natalia Miraminova, Conflict Resolution Consultant, Moscow - natalia_miraminova@hotmail.com
  
  
• Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, Arshad Gill - arshad.gill@sdc.net
  
  

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Other positive references from earlier projects include:

"During the period May 2001 - October 2004, I was National Project Manager of the Project 'Conservation of Biodiversity in the Central Zagros Landscape Conservation Zone'. This project was financed by the Government of Iran, GEF, and UNDP. Mr. Stephan Fuller was one of the International Consultants for the project. In that capacity Mr. Fuller visited Iran several times. He also provided backstopping support in-between missions.

I have always found Mr. Stephan Fuller to be hard working, committed, and pleasant to work with. Mr. Fuller was equally able to discuss with high-level decision-makers as he was at consulting marginalized stakeholders in rural areas of Iran. His dedication to the project, his commitment to finding consensual solutions to challenges, and his ability to involve all stakeholders made a vital difference to the project implementation. He also showed an ability to respect and understand our traditions and culture. His inputs and approach have generally been appreciated by all those he interacted with.

Mr. Stephan Fuller also made excellent technical contributions to help guide the overall project process. For example, in the project, international and national experts undertook analyses of participatory approaches, financing mechanisms, institutional frameworks, EIA, and the environmental situation in the project area. Mr. Fuller was able to guide and help supervise these studies. He also made useful technical contributions on diverse topics at several workshops and seminars, and helped finalize the project technical outputs.

I would not hesitate having Mr. Stephan Fuller on any team related to environment and development". (Dr. Asghar Fazel)

• Dr. Asghar Fazel, UNDP GEF Zagros Mountains, National Program Manager - asghar@fazel.info
  
  
  
• Iran GEF Wetlands Project, Mohammad Reza Khosravi - khosravi_mr@yahoo.com
  
  
• International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), Mark Halle- mark.halle@iisd.org
  
  
• China (general), Dr. Wang Haibin - haibinw@public3.bta.net.cn

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During March 2003, we completed our first training workshop with the Protected Areas Directorate in Kamchatka Oblast. In the words of Yuri Karamandov, the UNDP/GEF project manager;

"Your seminar was one of the best we have had here with foreign trainer participation. The managers of PAs told me that you gave them good understanding of some serious issues in the management (of Kamchatka's parks). It looks promising for our following cooperative work."

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From 1993-1997 Stephan Fuller was a full-time Chief Technical Advisor with IUCN Pakistan and the Swiss Agency for Development and Co-operation.

At the completion of this assignment the principal counterpart wrote:

“I want to sincerely thank you for your deep commitment to our programme over the last 4 years. It has indeed been a pleasure to get to know you and I have really enjoyed you company and expertise while we developed the SPCS. While we all know that implementation will be difficult we have certainly laid a strong foundation for the future of sustainable development in NWFP. I know that we will continue to see you in various IUCN functions in the future and we will welcome you back to Pakistan when the opportunity arises” (M. Rafiq, former Country Programme Director, IUCN Pakistan)

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More recently this work was reviewed and the following excerpts from "Moving the Frontier: The Story of the Sarhad Provincial Conservation Strategy" Mark Halle, IISD, 2003 provide a follow-up evaluation of the work.

“In March 1993, the Programme Coordinator (Khattak), the Head of the Environment Section in PE&DD (Rafiq) and a Project Coordinator (Hameed Hassan) on secondment from the provincial government, were joined by a Canadian Technical Adviser – Stephan Fuller. Fuller brought with him years of experience in provincial conservation planning in Canada - including in development-challenged areas in the Canadian Arctic - and in the integration of environmental considerations in development planning. Fuller’s arrival not only brought fresh perspectives, but also considerable methodological rigour to the team. His contribution to the conceptual structure of the Report proved invaluable. Fuller remained with the SPCS project until January 1997.”

“In fact, it is clear that the composition of the early team determined to a large extent the direction that the project took. The heavy focus on forestry took root from the expertise of both Khattak and Rafiq, while the structure of the Inception Report and the SPCS drew on Fuller’s considerable experience with strategic planning for environment and development in the Canadian North. The “two-track approach” adopted, supporting demonstration projects simultaneously with strategy formulation, was a direct reflection of the inclination of the project team, as was the decision to approach strategy formulation and preparation for implementation as parallel and complementary.”

“At the same time, Stephan Fuller added his experience and critical perspective to the design of the SPCS. He played a key role in using the feedback from the consultations to refine the SPCS process and structure.”

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During 1991, while working as the Director of Policy and Planning for the Department of Environment in the Yukon Territory, Canada we were engaged in developing the Yukon Environment Act (which implemented the Yukon Conservation Strategy)

“The Act is a model for other jurisdictions in terms of the integration of resource and environmental concerns, and planning and permitting processes. The sections outlining citizens rights, while controversial are long overdue …..you did an excellent job in setting the policy tone for the project. I wish I could take credit for all those good ideas” (Lynne Huestis, Swinton and Co. Vancouver).

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We were also engaged in this period in several special projects such as the development of the Arctic Environmental Protection Strategy (AEPS - a precursor to the establishment of the Arctic Council) and the Canadian National Task Force on Environment and Economy (a precursor to the National Round table of Environment and Economy)

“the Canadian effort has been recognized by all circumpolar nations and the Government of Finland has credited Canada with the leadership necessary to bring the first phase of a the AEPS to a successful conclusion…..None of this would have been accomplished without your participation”. (Thomas Siddon, former Canadian Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development)

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During the period 1989-1991, as Manager of Policy Analysis for the Department of Environment in the Yukon Territory, Canada we were instrumental in creating the Yukon Conservation Strategy (YCS) (as recommended by the World Commission on Environment and Economy). Various endorsements ensued:

“I have read the YCS with great interest and I was encouraged to see such a dedicated effort to translate the recommendations of the report of the WCED into government policy and practice. I congratulate you for an effort which demonstrates sound leadership for environment and development and I wish you the very best in your future work” (Dr. Gro Harlem Bruntland, former WCED Chair, and foormer Director General, World Health Organization.)

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Similarly;

“I would like to personally thank you for the effort and energy that you contributed to the development of both the Yukon Economic Strategy and the Yukon Conservation Strategy. Successful implementation will require a continuation of this effort and I am re-assured that we have such committed staff for the tasks ahead” (Tony Penikett, former Premier, Yukon)

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And further from this period;

“Last week I received from the Minister of Renewable Resources a letter expressing his appreciation for the amount of work done and creativity demonstrated in connection with the Select Committee on Renewable Resources. I would like to add my thanks to those of the Minister” (W.J. Klassen, former Deputy Minister Yukon Department of Environment)