AWF will establish similar advisory National Advisory Councils in several other African countries in the coming year/CFM NEWS
The NAC will work closely with AWF to engage various stakeholders in the conversation on conservation in Kenya, bringing ownership of conservation into the hands of Africans and creating a new narrative for protecting wildlife and ecosystems across the African continent.
“In no other time in history has it been more crucial for Africans to take full ownership of conservation issues on the continent,” says Daudi Sumba, African Wildlife Foundation’s vice president of government relations and program design.
“Africa is at a crossroads in its social and economic development agenda and the risk of conservation getting lost or forgotten within the discussion is something we cannot afford to let happen. Africa’s natural capital is an asset that we need to nurture, and protecting it should always be part of the development agenda.”
“In keeping with our mission of the last 54 years, AWF believes that the people of Africa must be central in the effort to save their wildlife and conserve their extraordinary natural heritage,” says Sumba. “The NAC will unite the voices of prominent Kenyans around conservation, showing that the protection of wildlife should be owned by all Kenyans.”
In 2014, AWF’s Board of Trustees passed a resolution to create a number of National Advisory Councils across Africa as an avenue for passionate and influential Africans to support the mission of AWF in key countries. Members of Kenya’s National Advisory Council include Darshan Chandaria of Chandaria Industries, Leena Ghelot of Intex Construction/Finch Hattons Camp, Dorothy Ghetubba of SpielWorks Media, Lisa Karanja of TradeMark (EA), Yida Kemoli of Phatisa Fund Managers L.L.C, Farzana Khubchandani of Google, Peter Lengewa of Essence International, Naisula Lesuuda, Nominated Senator of Samburu County, Laila Macharia, of Scion Real and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance, Isis Nyong’o of Asphalt Ink, and Wilbur Ottichillo, Member of Parliament, Emuhaya Constituency.
The NAC will meet several times a year to evaluate the challenges of conservation in Kenya and prioritize the possible solutions that the NAC can work together on with AWF and other key stakeholders.
AWF will establish similar advisory National Advisory Councils in several other African countries in the coming year.
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