Inclusive and Rights-Based Approaches to Conservation and Development Short Course Launch.
THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT FOR THE SHORT CERTIFICATE COURSE ON:
Inclusive and Rights-Based Approaches to Conservation and Development; Indigenous Peoples in the African Context
IMPACT Kenya in partnership with the University of Nairobi (UON)
AT THE 25TH UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNFPII) 2026
Date
23rd April 2026
Time
12:00 – 14:00
Venue
3rd Floor, Jay Suites Grand Central 369 Lexington Avenue, New York
Overview:
IMPACT Kenya, in collaboration with the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Nairobi (IDS-UON), has co-designed a three-week course titled ‘Inclusive and Rights-Based Approaches to Conservation and Development: Indigenous Peoples in the African Context’.
This course addresses the urgent need for inclusive and just conservation practices in Africa that respect the rights, knowledge and contributions of Indigenous Peoples, in response to widespread human rights violations linked to exclusionary “fortress” conservation models.
Such models have led to forced evictions, loss of ancestral lands, denial of FPIC, restrictions on cultural and subsistence practices, and gender-based violence, with many documented cases across Kenya, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo etc,. International evidence shows that Indigenous stewardship fosters healthier ecosystems and more sustainable outcomes than state- or privately-led conservation approaches. The course will, therefore, equip participants with the knowledge and skills to design and implement conservation and development initiatives that honor Indigenous rights, integrate traditional knowledge and cultural practices, restore dignity, and ensure sustainable, equitable results.
This co-design process began in early 2024, guided by a tailored, in-depth, and inclusive participatory roadmap. It involved rigorous consultations and co-creation engagements to ensure the meaningful integration of diverse expertise, including the voices and contributions of Indigenous Peoples. Additionally, regional and international forums were leveraged to gather inputs and refine the curriculum, drawing on insights from Indigenous leaders, practitioners, and policy actors. This approach strengthened contextual relevance and enhanced the curriculum’s legitimacy and responsiveness to real-world needs.
The course:
The course aims to equip participants with practical skills, experiences, and knowledge to advance conservation models that respect Indigenous rights, recognize Indigenous knowledge, and promote equitable and sustainable outcomes.
It combines a 10-day tailored adult learning with a 5-day immersive fieldwork experience among Indigenous Communities, allowing participants to directly engage with Indigenous knowledge holders. The hybrid model blends theoretical and policy-based insights with lived realities, enabling participants to develop practical skills in indigenous-led conservation.
It explores 5 modules:
- Module 1: Historical and contemporary context of Indigenous peoples in conservation
- Module 2: Principles and frameworks for inclusive and rights-based conservation
- Module 3: Indigenous-led approaches to biodiversity conservation
- Module 4: Intersectionality in conservation practice.
- Module 5: Applied experiential learning in Indigenous-led conservation
The course is designed for Indigenous leaders, conservation practitioners, development professionals, policy makers, academics, NGOs, and government representatives from Anglophone Africa. It will be delivered by a diverse faculty including Indigenous traditional knowledge holders, academics, human rights advocates, and conservation experts.
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Emerge as champions of inclusive conservation, equipped to design and implement initiatives that uphold Indigenous rights, restore dignity, and deliver sustainable outcomes.
- Contribute to global knowledge through the documentation and publication of their work as case studies, thus, building an evidence base and resource pool accessible to governments, donors, funders, and the wider conservation and development community.
- Become part of a Community of Practice on Inclusive and Rights-Based Conservation, joining a pool of practitioners, experts, and Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) who collaboratively design, replicate, implement and advocate for inclusive conservation models, strategies, and frameworks that respond to pressing, context-specific challenges.
Overall, this course represents a transformative opportunity to embed Indigenous perspectives into conservation and development in Africa. It will provide the tools, networks, and vision to challenge exclusionary models, promote self-determination, and catalyze more equitable and sustainable stewardship of lands, resources, and biodiversity.
Opportunities for scalability and replication:
After the prove of concept has been attained, IMPACT will explore possible pathways for scaling and replication in various contexts through:
- Adoption of the course as an elective unit in mainstream Masters or Bachelor’s degrees
- Partnership with Francophone university to adopt the course to their own context and approach.
- Offering workshop-based learning on the sidelines of regional and global conferences
Get in touch with us:
Malih Ole Kaunga
Executive Director, IMPACT
olekaunga@impactkenya.org
Vivian Silole
Strategic Partnerships, Collaborations and
Sustainability, IMPACT
vsilole@impactkenya.org
Grace Muraya
Coordinator, IDS-University of Nairobi
Partners
