Theme 6-1: Pastoralism, Social, Gender and Policy Issues--Oral Sessions
Description
The International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP) should draw attention to rangelands and pastoralists and their economic, social, cultural and environmental contributions to global wellbeing. The “gap analysis” by UN Environment revealed much ignorance and misperceptions about rangelands and pastoralism among national governments, international institutions and the general public.
The IYRP campaign seeks to foster better understanding of how rangelands are used in an ecologically sound and resource-efficient way, e.g. through mobile pastoralism. It seeks to raise awareness of the importance of rangelands and pastoralists among policymakers. It seeks to encourage investment in the rangelands and related policy support, referring especially to the initiatives of pastoralist men, women and groups and of other local people toward decent livelihoods. It seeks to convince conservationists of pastoralists’ contribution to biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. It seeks to raise the awareness of pastoralists themselves about the value of their production system and provide them with good arguments for defending its integrity. To make this possible, scientists need to work already now – years before the IYRP begins – to generate better evidence. The gaps in data about rangelands and pastoralists need to be filled so that well-founded information is available to draw the world’s attention to the importance of pastoralists and rangelands during the IYRP and beyond.
This presentation sets the stage for country/regional papers that bring examples of concrete actions needed at those levels to generate information and awareness. Much of the work involves transdisciplinary and multisectoral research, as well as widespread sharing and discussion of the knowledge generated for the benefit of all stakeholders. The path toward the IYRP is as important as the Year itself. This session should encourage joint planning and implementation of multistakeholder endeavours before and during the IYRP to generate and analyse data and deepen global understanding of rangelands and pastoralism.
Included in
Changing Perceptions of Rangelands and Pastoralists through Multistakeholder Action before and during the IYRP
The International Year of Rangelands & Pastoralists (IYRP) should draw attention to rangelands and pastoralists and their economic, social, cultural and environmental contributions to global wellbeing. The “gap analysis” by UN Environment revealed much ignorance and misperceptions about rangelands and pastoralism among national governments, international institutions and the general public.
The IYRP campaign seeks to foster better understanding of how rangelands are used in an ecologically sound and resource-efficient way, e.g. through mobile pastoralism. It seeks to raise awareness of the importance of rangelands and pastoralists among policymakers. It seeks to encourage investment in the rangelands and related policy support, referring especially to the initiatives of pastoralist men, women and groups and of other local people toward decent livelihoods. It seeks to convince conservationists of pastoralists’ contribution to biodiversity conservation and sustainable resource management. It seeks to raise the awareness of pastoralists themselves about the value of their production system and provide them with good arguments for defending its integrity. To make this possible, scientists need to work already now – years before the IYRP begins – to generate better evidence. The gaps in data about rangelands and pastoralists need to be filled so that well-founded information is available to draw the world’s attention to the importance of pastoralists and rangelands during the IYRP and beyond.
This presentation sets the stage for country/regional papers that bring examples of concrete actions needed at those levels to generate information and awareness. Much of the work involves transdisciplinary and multisectoral research, as well as widespread sharing and discussion of the knowledge generated for the benefit of all stakeholders. The path toward the IYRP is as important as the Year itself. This session should encourage joint planning and implementation of multistakeholder endeavours before and during the IYRP to generate and analyse data and deepen global understanding of rangelands and pastoralism.
