Support 50 Global South Environmental Leaders

In the vibrant landscape of grassroots conservation, 31 leaders from 19 Global South countries came together as part of GDF’s Conservation and Communities Fellowship (CCF) programme. This fellowship is a key initiative in GDF’s broader effort towards conservation justice, aiming to address the imbalances in conservation financing between the Global North and South. Designed to enhance the fundraising skills, donor relationships, and impact measurement of its participants, the programme fosters a network of peer learning and mentoring. Additionally, it supports Global North donors in adopting more equitable philanthropic practices and offers resources for decolonial training to the next generation of conservation practitioners.

The Journey 

The journey began on November 1, 2023, with the launch of the fellowship. Over the following months, the fellows engaged in over 30 online sessions, building a foundation of virtual connection. These 60+ hours of virtual interaction were essential, but they couldn't fully capture the transformative power of the in-person gathering that took place. It was very challenging to bring this group together in one location. Many fellows faced visa challenges; some had to travel to other countries to obtain their visas, while others spent up to four days between flights and layovers to reach Morocco. However, it all paid off when the fellows met face-to-face for the first time at the community exchange in the picturesque Demnat region of the Moroccan High Atlas on May 11, 2024. This date was also chosen to ensure the fellows could participate in the International Society for Ethnobiology’s 18th Congress, held in Marrakech from May 15 to 19, 2024.

Connecting in Demnat

The gathering took place at Espace Tamount, a community project dedicated to revitalising Amazigh traditions in crafts, architecture, food, and communal activities. The in-person meeting sparked a unique kind of alchemy, transforming the virtual connections into a vibrant community. We began by collectively designing group agreements and shared personal challenges in a session entitled "What We Are Carrying." This openness created a space where authenticity flourished, allowing the group to release their concerns and fully immerse themselves in the experience.

In the first sessions, the group explored power dynamics and honed their storytelling and listening skills, focusing on each fellow's purpose and life story. The group brainstormed a CCF Alumni Programme, resulting in several exciting proposals, including mentoring future cohorts, facilitating workshops, coordinating fundraising, providing mutual support for advocacy, and developing CCF resources for local community partners. An advisory council was formed among the fellows to guide the implementation of these ideas.

Engaging with Donors

On the second day, a session with four guests from philanthropic organisations facilitated an open dialogue between Global North funders and Global South grassroots actors. This conversation broke down assumptions and barriers, creating a space for generous and authentic exchange. The donors stayed for the remainder of the event, allowing both fellows and donors to deepen their conversations and understanding.

Exploring the High Atlas

The third day featured a field trip to the Iminifri Natural Bridge and meetings with the Tiwizi Women’s Cooperative and the Samili Agricultural Cooperative. This excursion was held alongside emerging ethnobiologists preparing for the 18th edition of the International Society for Ethnobiology (ISE) Congress in Marrakech. Both groups participated in the Congress, where the CCF fellows led sessions on Indigenous landscape governance, traditional knowledge protection, and decolonial conservation narratives, sparking powerful discussions.

Reflections and Future Directions

The in-person community exchange allowed participants to reconnect with the heart-centred essence of their work, equipping them to engage more effectively in the ISE Congress and return to their daily challenges with renewed strength and cohesion.

The CCF programme, through its blend of virtual and in-person engagement, has crafted a powerful community dedicated to equitable conservation and collective growth, promising a lasting impact on its fellows and their work.

It gives us great pleasure to share with you, our GlobalGiving community, that Global Diversity Foundation is co-organising the 18th International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) Congress, taking place in Marrakech, May 2024. The Congress will bring together scholars, activists, practitioners, and visionaries from over 60 countries, including over 50 changemakers from our Global Environments Network. These changemakers will be offering formal presentations, workshops and leading arts-based immersive experiences over the Congress period. Some of these sessions will be recorded and available on our website. 

Taking place in the vibrant city of Marrakech, surrounded by the scenic High Atlas landscapes, the Congress aims to seamlessly blend discussions on biodiversity and cultural landscapes, delving into the intricate relationships among animals, plants, and human-shaped environments.

Historical Background:

The ISE Congress stands as a manifestation of the core mandate of the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE) to cultivate an 'ethical space.' This space is designed to facilitate the interaction and exchange of information among diverse worldviews across geographical and cultural boundaries, establishing an interactive platform for cross-cultural exchanges. The ISE's comprehensive work extends across the realms of research, policy development, and education within a global, multi-disciplinary, and cross-cultural context. This positions the ISE as a leading authority in creating and disseminating insights into concepts and practices that support bio-cultural diversity. This work is especially pertinent to community and ecosystem resilience, adaptive change, and addressing the challenges of global warming.

The inaugural event, the First International Congress of Ethnobiology, took place in Belém, Brazil, in 1988. More than 600 delegates representing 35 countries, including representatives from 16 indigenous organisations, actively participated in this historic Congress. A pivotal outcome of this gathering was the establishment of the International Society of Ethnobiology (ISE), laying the foundation for a global collaborative network dedicated to the exploration and preservation of vital links between human societies and the natural world.

Overview of the 18th ISE Congress:

The primary goal of the 18th edition is to bring together biodiversity and cultural landscapes, providing a dynamic platform for exploration and discussion through oral presentations, panels, and posters. Our intention is to venture beyond the prosaic to embrace the poetic, featuring innovative and interactive sessions. The Congress will delve into biodiversity and cultural landscapes, as conceptualised and contested by decolonial, indigenous, and local practitioners and scholars.

The inclusive discourse aims to nurture a global dialogue, inspiring multidisciplinary research across continents. This effort is underpinned by the celebration of contemporary concepts defined in international conventions, observed in events like the International Day for Biological Diversity and World Heritage Day.

Themes of the 18th ISE Congress:

1. Landscape Stewardship, Management Practices, and Governance:

• Exploring opportunities, challenges, and innovations in landscape stewardship.
• Focusing on preserving tangible and intangible heritage, including Indigenous-led systems.
• Critically engaging with strategies for biocultural conservation.

2. Agriculture, Nutrition, Health, and Human Well-being:

• Reflecting on the intersection of ethnobiology with global health.
• Exploring the role of biocultural landscapes in food, nutrition, sovereignty, and overall human well-being.
• Encouraging critical dialogues on forgotten foods, medicines, and the interface between industrial and artisanal agrifood systems.

3. Decolonial, Inter and Transdisciplinary Approaches, Methods, and Practices in Ethnobiology:

• Discussing innovative methods and approaches in ethnobiology.
• Inviting critical dialogue about the challenges and opportunities of community-led action and research.
• Reflecting on ethics, including Indigenous and local community rights over knowledge and data.

4. Global Change: Landscapes and People in Transition:

• Exploring questions of resilience and transitions in biocultural landscapes.
• Analysing aspects of continuity and change amidst global socioeconomic and environmental changes.

5. Spirituality, Art, and Cultural Identities:

• Integrating research, artistic practices, and experiences celebrating cultural identities.
• Welcoming sessions addressing the interplay between biocultural landscapes and spirituality, identity, power, and justice.

The Congress's inclusive and expansive approach, honours the legacy and vision of ISE's founder, Darrel Posey (1947 – 2001). Posey's commitment to exploring biocultural diversity in all its dimensions serves as a guiding force, inspiring practitioners and scholars alike.

If you would like to find out more, or help support a changemakers to attend the ISE, then please do get in touch. We would love to hear from you!

Links:

• ISE Congress 2024
• International Society of Ethnobiology
• The Global Diversity Foundation