#EDD21 – Conservation in Fragile States: myths, realities and opportunities - The case of Central African Republic

On 16th June 2021, DG International Partnerships, in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and African Parks Network (APN), organized a session on 'Conservation in Fragile States: myths, realities and opportunities - The case of Central African Republic' at the European Development Days 2021 (EDD).

In this session moderated by Mr. Didier Nils, Manager of the Bêkou Trust Fund, speakers discussed how to balance and integrate security/development/conservation approaches. They addressed sensitive questions such as militarisation of eco-guards, recruitment in/outside local communities, difficulty of developing income-generating activities and lack of enforcement of regulations. Speakers also presented their innovative solutions: from park management models, to cattle herders’ trainings to monitor and educate transhumant herders, to valorization of natural resources conservation and territorial planning.

Mr. Antonio Bóveda, Country Director - Central African Republic at WCS, discussed how to protect wildlife in fragile states while increasing resilience in the local population. For instance, WCS is shaping a conservation-friendly transhumance approach, by creating collaborative links between herders, who use the authorized transit routes, and meat sellers in local markets.

See more information here:
https://brussels.wcs.org/Media/News/ID/16123/PageID/15557/WCS-at-the-ED…