The current environmental crisis is inseparable from social, political, and economic global trends; and while these forces that are devastating the environment are felt by populations around the planet, it is vulnerable peoples who are the most affected by them. Right wing and neoliberal ideologies create wars, genocides, poverty and forced migration. Mainstream conservation is failing to provide effective solutions to global environmental deterioration, in part because it overlooks these forces and their effect on humans. Moreover, these conservation initiatives themselves are often responsible for augmenting social conflicts and injustices.
Conversely, local, indigenous people, and activists are initiating and carrying out effective conservation actions all over the world. These people use their own set of values and customary laws to protect their neighbouring ecosystems and wildlife, even amid the worst situations of discrimination and conflict. Real conservation is based on stewardship, social justice, inclusion, passion, and compassion towards nature and humanity.
The seminar will raise some of the most pressing issues of socio-environmental crises in areas such as Palestine, Congo, Kenya and Peru and will give examples of some of the excellent local initiatives carried out by the people of these countries. This seminar is directed at conservation and environmental practitioners, academics, human rights advocates, and to anyone affected by or active against socio-environmental injustices.
Keynote Speakers:
Professor Mazin Qumsiyeh – is founder and director of the Palestine Museum of Natural History and Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability at Bethlehem University in Palestine (http://palestinenature.org). He is author of many books and hundreds of scientific and other articles in areas of conservation, human rights, ad human and environmental health.
Dr. Noga Shanee – is a cofounder of Neotropical Primate Conservation (NPC) focused on supporting community led conservation initiatives in South America. She founded Reclaim Conservation to allow a more global vision on conservation, both from academic and activist viewpoints. Her latest initiative, Aniye, is an inclusive grassroots movement assisting refugees in Uganda.
Place: Moot Court, Cavendish University School of Law, Bukoto street, Kamokya, Kampala, Uganda
Time: 4th of October, 2pm
For more information: 0757825042/ 0754119489
Reclaim Conservation 