Conservation and Conflict: Cross-sectoral Collaboration, Funding Issues and Next Steps
In September 2001, the Africa Biodiversity Collaborative Group (ABCG) held a meeting with resource people from the relief, development and donor sectors to discuss lessons learned about how to promote cross-sectoral collaboration and continue conservation funding during and after times of conflict. Participants discussed the need for continued funding during war and conflict through financial planning and management. They also discussed the importance of continuing funding for staff working in conservation areas throughout the conflict. In order to promote collaboration, lessons were shared about the value of increasing understanding, conducting planning, and communicating with other sectors about the importance of conservation so that relationships are already established, if conflict occurs. In addition, it was recommended that conservation staff at all levels be trained so they are prepared to take over leadership, technical skills, and management during periods of conflict.
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Healing the Rift: Mitigating Conflict Over Natural Resources in the Albertine Rift
In 2010, ABCG hosted Dr. Andrew Plumptre, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s (WCS) Albertine Rift Program, in a brown bag talk on his work to mitigate conflict over natural resources in the region. With funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development, and working with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, WCS has been developing a conflict resolution process and practitioner’s manual to help people working in conflict situations to better analyze and find solutions to resolve conflicts .