Nature for all! Empowering people in Myanmar and Greater Mekong (WWF)
Channel: Nature Positive
Date: 2022-12-14

Nature for all! Empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities to build and deliver more effective National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans: recommendations from Myanmar and the Greater Mekong region

Now is the ideal time to install an inclusive whole-of-society approach to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework and updating Myanmar’s NBSAP. Myanmar’s richest biodiversity is found in its remote border regions, also home to many indigenous communities. This event brings together IPs and LCs from across Myanmar and the Greater Mekong area, to learn from one another as they develop plans to protect, manage and sustainably use biodiversity. This will enhance implementation through participatory planning, knowledge management and capacity building to supports the economic, environmental and social well-being of present and future citizens of Myanmar and the world.

Speakers

Rashane Sala-Ngarm: Project Management Specialist, Regional Environment Office,USAID Regional Development Mission for Asia

Steward: indigenous leader and advocates for the rights of the indigenous peoples across Myanmar. He is also an environmental defender, activist and researcher. He along with his team advocates recognition of the rights of the indigenous peoples at local, national, regional and international levels through various platforms.

Stony Siang Awr Cung: Works as a Program Coordinator of POINT on Promotion of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and capacity development of Ips leaders to protect their substantial right provided by UNDRIP and works on policy advocacy for recognition and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples including the customary land tenure and their role in environmental conservation.

Nay Myo Shwe: Head of Wildlife in WWF -Myanmar program and leading in species conservaiton, ecology and research,  community based wildlife conservation,  citizen science and biodiversity hero program. And working biodiversity conservation in area based, landscape and regional level. 

Ormbun Thipsuna: TBC

Mrinalini 'Tina' Rai: As Women4Biodiversity director and UN CBD Women’s Caucus co-coordinator, Mrinalini draws from her experience as an international expert on biodiversity and gender, having worked several years in advocating for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities and women and youth in various local to global dialogues. She strongly believes in the ground-level up movement and the strength of communities’ experiences and voices. She supports and advocates for the full, effective and meaningful participation of women and believes they are not only the key rights holders but that they are also a key for a transformative and just society. An indigenous woman herself, Mrinalini worked extensively with indigenous peoples before she focused on gender, which she sees inextricably linked with the indigenous experience and as an issue that cuts across sectors. She served as an indigenous advisor and gender expert for different organizations. She holds an MA in Sustainable Development from Chiang Mai University.