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Conservation Conversations

Youth, communities, and Indigenous Knowledge role in co-management of protected & conserved areas

Date & Time: Wednesday, July 20, 2022, 10:30-11:45am (local time)
Duration: 1 hr 15min
Location: Youth Pavilion, IUCN APAC, Rwanda 

This session delves into the depths of co-management of protected areas, bringing out a unique perspective to conservation where the youth, in partnership with communities in protected areas, are leveraging the power of storytelling, arts and indigenous knowledge to elevate conservation conversations.


Meet our Panelists:

Kaluki is a youth climate and environmental leader, based in Kenya. He has a background in Environmental Conservation and Natural Resources management from the University of Nairobi. He is the Afrika Director at Youth4Nature.


Aiita is a young professional Wildlife Biologist and environmental advocate from Uganda. He draws a rich background into biodiversity and wildlife conservation with about four years in community conservation, research and policy. Aiita is a Global Ambassador and Education Taksforce Lead at Youth4Nature, Content curator at NatureWILD Hub and as well a member of the IUCN-WCPA Young Professionals Network.


Ayamba, Cameroonian by nationality, is an early career Ocean/marine conservationist with over 5 years of experience working with indigenous coastal communities; girls, women and youths for the management and conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems. He is a member of the IMPAC5 Young Professionals Steering Committee as well as ranked among the top 100 young African conservation leaders.


Eva Shitaatala is an agriprenuer and environmental scientist from Namibia. She has a background in resource and environmental management, youth advocacy, climate change and the blue economy. She is CEC vice chairperson for Eastern and Southern Africa and co-founder of Namibia Institute of Environmental Health Research.


Catherine’s background is in conservation, environmental education and tourism. She holds a B-Tech Degree in Nature Conservation obtained from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. She previously worked as an Environmental Educator for the Cape Leopard Trust as well as a Project Manager for Contour Enviro Group. Catherine is a member of the IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas and Commission on Education and Communication. She has more than 8 years of experience in environmental education.