The first ever Alliance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs) for Conservation in Africa (AICA) Congress  aims to prioritize the engagement of Africa’s Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs) in policy arenas relevant to their land, territories and conservation. It focuses on four interlocking priority areas, which include establishing and operationalizing a Pan-African IPLC body, advocating for IPLCs’ rights and representation, putting people at the center of conservation efforts, and promoting inclusive governance and the economic value of conserved areas for IPLCs.

The congress thematic areas are aligned with the Alliance’s four interlocking priority areas: Establishment and operationalization of a Pan-African IPLC body, Advocacy, Campaigns and Strategic Engagement, putting people at the center of conservation, and promoting inclusive governance and mobilizing the economic value of conserved areas for IPLCs.

The congress aims to convene around 300 participants drawn from grassroots communities, Indigenous Peoples Organization leaders, Development Partners, Conservation NGOs/ CSOs, African Governments and other important actors in conservation in Africa.

The event will help define a roadmap for the emerging Alliance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for Conservation in Africa for the next five years.

The Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ Conservation Congress in Namibia is co-hosted by RRI and the Alliance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities for Conservation in Africa (AICA), in collaboration with Southern Africa’s Community Leaders Network (CLN); the Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT); and the Namibian Association of Community Based Natural Resource Management Support Organizations (NACSO).The event seeks to articulate a rights-based, people-centered conservation strategy for the continent and promote inclusive, equitable, and rights-based governance and conservation in Africa.Indigenous and local community leaders, conservation organizations, government officials, and donors from over 41 countries will share their lived experiences, lessons and challenges around community-led conservation approaches.

See the daily proceedings at:

https://communitylandsummit.org/