Academic profile

 

Maria Carmen (Ica) Fernandez is completing PhD research on customary property rights and plural land governance frameworks in neighborhoods experiencing protracted forced displacement. 

As a development professional, she has over 14 years’ experience in policy design, implementation, and evaluation related to governance, conflict, security, human rights, and sustainable development. Her engagement in the Philippines includes prior work in national government; advisory roles with multilateral and bilateral development organisations, INGOs, and CSOs; as well as direct technical assistance to various regional and local governments, including the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao and its precursor, the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. 

She holds an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of the Philippines Diliman and an MPhil in Planning, Growth and Regeneration from the University of Cambridge.

 

 

 

 

Publications

 

 

Relevant publications:

 

Books

 

 

Reports, Briefs, and Working Papers 

  • Fernandez, M.C. (2022) Land Governance as Moral Governance: Options for housing, land, and property policy reform in the Bangsamoro transition. A Policy Brief. Cotabato City: Institute of Bangsamoro Studies, with support from The Asia Foundation and USAID.
  • Fernandez, M.C. and Baraguir, B.S. (2022). “Inclusion and exclusion in displacement and peacebuilding responses in Mindanao, Philippines: falling through the cracks.” In Lough et al (ed). Inclusion and exclusion in humanitarian action. London: Overseas Development Institute
  • Fernandez, M.C. (2021) Towards an ‘ASEAN Way’ of addressing complex crises? Working paper for the ASEAN Development Outlook Report. ASEAN Secretariat and the University of Cambridge.
  • Children of War: A Rapid Assessment of Orphans in Muslim Mindanao. (2020).  Manila: The Asia Foundation.
  • Fernandez, M.C, Baunto, A. and Villasper, J. (2019). “Open Data for the Bangsamoro Transition: Practical notes on using geospatial and statistical data for decision-making.” Manila: The Asia Foundation. Available at: http://bit.ly/openbangsamoro. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.32445.41445
  • Fernandez, M.C. (2019). “The Two Sides of Dignity in Philippine Post-Crisis Response: Insights from Marawi and Typhoon Tembin (Vinta). In K. Holloway (ed.) Dignity in displacement: evidence from Afghanistan, Colombia, Philippines, and South Sudan. London: Overseas Development Institute. Available at: https://www.odi.org/publications/11285-dignity-displacement-case-studies-afghanistan-colombia-philippines-and-south-sudan
  • Fernandez, M.C, Garcia, D. and Baunto, A. (2018). “Community-led rehabilitation is the practical thing to do in Marawi: Critical points for addressing land issues after the Siege.” Manila: The Asia Foundation. Available at: http://www.openmarawi.com DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.19023.64164
  • World Bank and International Organization for Migration (2017). Land: Territory, Domain, and Identity.  A report submitted by the WB-IOM technical team to the Transitional Justice and Reconciliation Commission (TJRC) of the Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro. Manila: The World Bank and IOM.  Available at: www.tjrc.ph.

 

 

Category/Classification

 

Public policy, land rights, participatory methods