An Inclusive Conservation Academy

An introduction…

In 2021, Tribal Link, in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), led four regional consultations on Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, inclusive conservation, and the possible co-creation of an Inclusive Conservation Academy (ICA). A goal of the proposed ICA is to build capacity in the area of inclusive conservation amongst Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as conservation NGOs, government, donors, academia, and the private sector.

The idea of the ICA came about from collaborations between WWF and IPLC (Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities) organizations while developing the initiative of People Protecting Landscapes and Seascapes, which supports the shift from fortress-style conservation models towards inclusive, IPLC-led conservation. 

An important, innovative feature of the proposed ICA is that it will be co-created with IPLC leaders, as well as other pioneering Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) involved in inclusive and rights-based approaches to development and IPLC content matter experts on the themes of equity and social justice. The ICA is envisioned as a vehicle for building the capacities of and expanding the support network for all relevant stakeholders Another innovation is that the ICA will endeavor to create a pool of trainers that would include experienced IPLCs as “faculty” members who are able to strengthen the inclusive conservation capacities of conservation organizations, the private sector, and governments, as well as the relevant skills of their IPLC leader colleagues in order to scale.

To help develop these innovations, the consultation objectives sought to:

a) Report on and catalog best practices, challenges, and gaps in conservation;

b) Identify areas and approaches for capacity building initiatives; and

c) Learn and provide recommendations on how Indigenous Peoples can take the lead in building capacity and practices in inclusive conservation and its impacts on Indigenous People and local communities.

The first online dialogue focusing on the Americas was held on Thursday, February 18, 2021, from 2:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST. Spanish and Portuguese interpretation was provided. For the summary report of this first session in English, click here. Español: Haga clic aquí. Português: Clique aqui.

The second online dialogue focusing on Africa, Russia, and the Arctic took place on Thursday, June 10, 2021, from 9:00 AM-11:00 AM EST / 3:00PM – 5:00PM Norway / 4:00PM – 6:00PM Kenya & Moscow.  French and Russian interpretation was provided. For the summary in English, click here; French, click here; Russian, click here.

The third online dialogue, focusing on the Pacific region, was held on Thursday, August 5, 2021, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Canberra ACT, Australia); 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM (Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea); 4:00PM – 6:00PM (Wellington, New Zealand); 4:00PM – 6:00PM (Fiji – FJT); 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Tuvalu); 5:00 – 7:00 PM (Samoa); 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM (August 4, Hawaii); 9:00 PM – 11:00 PM (PDT); 10:00 PM – 12:00 AM (August 4, Easter Island); 12:00 AM – 2:00 AM (ET); 6:00 AM – 8:00 AM (CEST). For the summary in English, click here.

The fourth and final online dialogue for this round of consultations, which focused on Asia, was held on Thursday, September 16, 2021 from 12:00 AM - 2:00 AM New York; 6:00 AM - 8:00 AM, Geneva; 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM, New Deli; 9:45 AM - 11:45 AM, Kathmandu; 11:00AM - 1:00PM, Bangkok; 11:00 AM - 1:00PM, Jakarta; 12noon - 2:00PM, Manila. For the summary in English, click here.

The consultations have now concluded and a final report, Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, Inclusive Conservation and the development of an Inclusive Conservation Academy, is now available: click here.

Tribal Link urges Indigenous Peoples and Local Community representatives to continue to engage the surveys as your views will continue to inform follow-up work on the Inclusive Conservation Academy. We really want to hear from you!

Contact R. Múkaro Agüeibaná Borrero for more information about this initiative at borrero@triballink.org.