To be sustainable, nature conservation must also support the rights, livelihoods and cultures of local communities. International conservation organisations recognise this, but have these good intentions been reflected in efforts to protect Africa’s rainforests?

A group of experts will discuss the evidence that conservation in the Congo Basin region of Africa has failed to recognise basic human rights, undermined poor people’s livelihoods, and caused widespread conflict with local communities. The effectiveness of current protected areas and conservation policy will be considered, and the debate will question whether a new conservation paradigm is needed to protect both forests and peoples’ rights.

Speakers:

Prof. Rosaleen Duffy, Professor in the Political Ecology of Development, SOAS
Simon Counsell, Executive Director, Rainforest Foundation UK
Samuel Nguiffo, Secretary General, Centre for Environment and Development, Cameroon
Hanson Njiforti, Cameroon Country Director, WWF Africa

Moderator:

Prof. Dan Brockington, Director, The Sheffield Institute for International Development, author of ‘Fortress Conservation’ and ‘Nature Unbound’

Refreshments provided / Free Entry

Parks, people and rights: towards sustainable conservation in Africa