Connecting Forest Communities in South America and Africa for Knowledge Exchange, Advocacy, and Deforestation Solutions

An exploration of avenues to foster interregional collaboration between South American forest communities and autochthonous communities in Sub-Saharan Africa

This event, co-sponsored by the Institute for African Studies and the Latin American and Hempspheric Studies Program, will bring together conservation experts and senior diplomats to discuss the challenges that the populations living in the forests face and explore avenues to foster interregional collaboration between South American forest communities and autochthonous communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. Following a keynote address by Colombian Ambassador to the United States Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia, panelists will discuss efforts to encourage greater inclusion of indigenous communities in national dialogues around conservation, climate mitigation and adaptation, and forest management as well as the possibilities of greater sub-regional and South-South exchange—on best practices, lessons learned, and collaborative advocacy.

Register Here

Agenda

Welcoming remarks: Jennifer Cooke, Director, GW Institute for African Studies, and Beni Dedieu Luzau, human rights activist and GW MIPP candidate

Opening Remarks: Luis Gilberto Murillo Urrutia, Ambassador of the Republic of Colombia to the United States

Panel Discussion:

• Maysa Urena Menacho, Chargé d'Affaires, Embassy of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in the United States.
• Jessica Webb, Strategy Lead, People & Forest Protection, World Resources Institute
• Kelvin Alie, Senior Vice-President, Strategy, Delivery & Field Partnership, Conservation International
• Moderator: Dr. Yvonne Captain, GW Associate Professor of Latin America and International Affairs,