Unique event: Indigenous voices heard for first time in EU debate on conservation

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For the first time, Indigenous people and activists affected by protected areas on their land will have the chance to tell European policy makers what they think about conservation. 

The unique conference, taking place on November 19, is hosted by European parliamentarians and will bring together representatives of Indigenous peoples and local communities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, NGOs, European Commission officials, and MEPs.

The debate will be livestreamed, and comes against the backdrop of a push by the EU, UN and others to turn 30% of the world’s surface into protected areas by 2030

Survival and others are campaigning to stop this #BigGreenLie as it would constitute the biggest land grab in world history, reducing hundreds of millions of people to landless poverty.

Among the activists present will be:

-  Pranab Doley, Indigenous activist from the Mising tribe, Kaziranga, India
-  Mordecai Ogada, conservationist, Kenya 
-  Delcasse Lukumbu, Congolese activist and member of Lucha RDC, Congolese citizen movement, DRC
-  Guillaume Blanc, Environmental historian, specialist in contemporary Africa and lecturer at University of Rennes 2, France

They will come face to face with officials such as:

-    Herbert Lust, Vice President and Managing Director of Conservation International Europe
-    Chantal Marijnissen, Head of Unit, Environment, Natural Resources, Water, Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission (the department linked to the notorious Messok Dja park in Congo)
-    Luisa Ragher, Head of Division Human Rights, European External Action Service (EEAS) 

To attend the event for free and receive simultaneous translation in English, French, Spanish and Russian, register via Zoom: svlint.org/EPconferenceregister

Or watch the livestream on Facebook: svlint.org/EPconferencefb