IUCN Congress 2020 series: Four stories from our partners

Header photo: Evergreen forest © Gonzalo Pizarro / Naturaleza y Cultura Internacional

The IUCN Congress will take place from 3 to 10 September 2021 and bring together the global nature conservation community and allow civil society organisations to share their work and knowledge. In a series of four articles, IUCN NL’s partner organisations from around the world tell us about their work for nature and people.

1. Innovative strategies & tools for effective conservation

The Guiana Shield and the Chaco Pantanal regions in Bolivia and Paraguay are rich in biodiversity and offer critical livelihoods to local and Indigenous communities. But these biodiverse landscapes are threatened by climate change and intensive activities. To address these challenges, our local partner organisations identified three innovative strategies and tools for effective conservation.

A number of the IUCN Congress motions that were up for electronic vote are linked to the work that our partners in Bolivia and Paraguay do for and with Indigenous Peoples.

2. Mobilising African youth for nature conservation

In West Africa, youth have long been largely indifferent towards nature conservation: ‘By 2030, the majority of young people in will live in cities and become disconnected from nature,’ says our partner Georges Hèdégbètan.

To tackle the threats to biodiversity in West Africa, youth needs to be mobilized for nature conservation. Two of IUCN NL’s partner organisations in Benin are doing this in a number of ways.

‘Motion 045 can help to reinforce the importance of nature for people and more directly for indigenous communities. They do not have an alternative for nature, it is their only livelihood.’

Natalia Araujo, Natura Bolivia

3. Strengthening civil society to protect Indigenous territory in the Gran Chaco

The Gran Chaco is the largest continuous dry forest in South America and is the only ecoregion after the Amazon that still hosts isolated indigenous groups living in the forest. But their livelihoods and the nature they protect are under increasing threat.

Strengthening civil society organizations which represent these isolated people is the key for the conservation of natural resources and public goods.

4. Indigenous communities fight oil and gas activities in Uganda and DRC

Communities, activists and civil society organizations (CSOs) in Uganda and the DRC are resisting oil and gas activities in sensitive areas. These vital ecosystems provide a habitat for wildlife and livelihoods for local communities. Through building a strong movement, the CSOs hope to stop oil exploration and initiate a just energy transition.