1. WHAT ARE YOUR ORGANIZATION’S SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES AND GOALS?
The African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is the largest and oldest African international conservation organization. We are based in Africa and have African leadership at every level. Our focus is on building a future where both people and wildlife thrive. Our conservation agenda is African-led, integrating strategies that blend science, on-the-ground solutions, policy, and education. Directly operating in 10 countries across 17 landscapes, our networks, business development, and policy approaches span the continent. Emphasizing African capacity and leadership sets us apart and guides all our endeavors.
Our goals are clear:
- Promote African leaders who drive policy, planning, and leveraging wildlife and wildlands for development. • Conserve, protect, and restore Africa’s ecosystems and the services they provide.
- Conserve Africa’s wildlife in-situ, combating poaching and trafficking as major threats.
To achieve these goals, our vision is articulated through three integrated approaches aimed at achieving three main results:
- Africans Leading for wildlife.
- Africans living harmoniously with wildlife and
- Africans actively caring for wildlife.
2. WHO DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH IN TERMS OF BUSINESSES, AND HOW DO BOTH PARTIES GAIN FROM IT?
We collaborate primarily with national governments and Africa’s people, aiming to guide them through the transition toward economic modernity and social transformation while preserving wildlife and wild places. This shift necessitates an Africa-led approach, emphasizing intentional services that empower Africans to lead conservation efforts. We believe in amplifying the voices of ordinary Africans, especially the youth, in advocating for wildlife and habitat conservation. Our collaborations with African governments are crucial for making informed decisions that benefit both people and nature. Additionally, we serve as a bridge, ensuring that African perspectives are heard globally. Our role is to play a catalytic role within African governments, working closely with African individuals and communities to advance our shared goals. This collaborative approach benefits both parties by fostering sustainable development and conservation outcomes that align with local needs and priorities.
3. WHAT WORKS WELL - AND LESS WELL – IN THE COLLABORATION WITH BUSINESSES?
Collaboration with businesses works well when they fully grasp that conservation or nature is not merely an ancillary aspect but a fundamental component that underpins their operations or enhances their business outcomes. This understanding often leads to more meaningful and productive partnerships, where businesses actively integrate conservation principles into their strategies and practices. On the other hand, one of the main challenges arises when businesses view conservation as something detached from their core activities or as a barrier to their production objectives. This perception may stem from a belief that conservation efforts impose restrictions or additional costs on their operations, hindering their ability to pursue their goals freely.
To address this challenge, it’s crucial to foster a mindset shift among businesses, helping them recognize the inherent value of conservation from an environmental standpoint and in terms of long-term sustainability and resilience. By reframing conservation as an opportunity rather than a constraint, businesses can unlock new avenues for innovation, enhance their reputation, and even gain a competitive edge in the market. Successful collaboration with businesses ultimately hinges on cultivating a shared vision where conservation is not seen as an external obligation but as an integral part of responsible and forward-thinking business practices. This shift in perspective can lead to more sustainable outcomes that benefit the environment, society, and the economy at large
4. WHAT WOULD BE ONE ADVICE FOR THE COMPANIES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?
One piece of advice for companies that have an impact on our work would be to adopt a “One Health” approach. This approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human health, animal health, and the health of the environment. By understanding and addressing the links between these three elements, companies can contribute to holistic solutions that promote the well-being of ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. Implementing a One Health approach involves considering how business activities affect human populations, wildlife, and the broader environment. Companies can strive to minimize negative impacts on ecosystems and biodiversity, reduce pollution, and promote sustainable resource management practices. Additionally, they can support initiatives that enhance public health, such as disease surveillance and prevention efforts that recognize the interconnected nature of health systems. By embracing a One Health approach, companies can mitigate risks associated with their operations and contribute to positive outcomes for both people and the planet. This approach aligns with the goals of conservation organizations like ours, as it emphasizes the importance of preserving biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and promoting the health and well-being of all living organisms. To read more about a One Health Approach click here.
5. IF YOU COULD WISH FOR ONE SPECIFIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP – A COLLABORATION, PROJECT, OR SOMETHING ELSE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
If I could wish for one specific private partnership, it would be a collaboration with organizations in the health sector aimed at drawing global awareness towards the interconnectedness between health and wildlife conservation. This partnership would seek to explore and address the intricate relationships between human health, environmental health, and biodiversity conservation. One pivotal aspect of this collaboration would involve jointly developing and implementing initiatives highlighting nature’s health benefits and the importance of biodiversity conservation. By leveraging the expertise and reach of the health sector, we could amplify messages about the vital role that intact ecosystems play in supporting human health and well-being. Furthermore, partnering with organizations in the health sector would enable us to integrate environmental considerations into healthcare practices and policies on a global scale.
Together, we could advocate for sustainable healthcare practices, promote the use of nature-based solutions in public health strategies, and raise awareness about the health impacts of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Ultimately, this partnership would be a powerful catalyst for driving positive change at the intersection of health and wildlife conservation.
6. WHICH AND WHAT KIND OF RELATIONSHIPS DO YOU HAVE WITH NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL AUTHORITIES?
Our relationships with national and international authorities are founded on our commitment to promoting, developing, and implementing African-led conservation initiatives. As a citizen of Africa, AWF serves as an authentic African voice in carrying conversations about conservation in Africa to leadership both across the continent and on the global stage. We work to affect policy from the ground up and the top down, influencing decision-making at local, national, regional, pan-African, and global levels and supporting the professional development of emergent conservation leaders.
We act as a trusted bridge, bringing together stakeholders and decision-makers from diverse backgrounds to collaborate on conservation efforts. Whether testifying at the U.S. Senate, advising the European Union, engaging the German government, participating in discussions at Chatham House, or advocating before the African Union, we strive to represent the interests and perspectives of African communities and ecosystems. These relationships are characterized by mutual respect, collaboration, and a shared commitment to advancing conservation agendas that benefit both people and wildlife.
EXAMPLES OF THIS
AWF’s collaboration with Zimbabwe Government
One notable collaboration worth mentioning is the partnership between the Ministry of Environment and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), which culminated in the launch of the Zimbabwe Biodiversity Economy (ZBE) Report in September 2023. This groundbreaking initiative marked a significant milestone in Zimbabwe’s conservation and economic development efforts. The ZBE Report emerged from recognizing Zimbabwe’s abundant biodiversity and untapped potential to drive economic growth. However, prior to this collaboration, there was a lack of a systematic framework to understand and leverage biodiversity’s economic contributions fully.
The Zimbabwe Ministry of Environment and AWF developed a comprehensive framework outlined in the ZBE Report through joint efforts. This framework quantifies the economic value of biodiversity and provides guidelines for integrating nature’s contributions into development planning, policy formulation, and investment decisions across both public and private sectors. The collaboration between these two entities has facilitated knowledge exchange and paved the way for more sustainable and ecologically conscious approaches to economic development in Zimbabwe. Read more in the ZBE report.
AWF’s collaborative work in Tanzania
Another collaboration that showcases the power of partnership in conservation is the joint effort led by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) to restore the Manyara Ranch Wildlife Corridor. This initiative represents a unique conservation model that harmonizes livestock farming with habitat restoration and biodiversity conservation. AWF’s leadership in this project has been instrumental in bringing together local communities, government agencies, and conservation stakeholders to restore and safeguard critical wildlife habitats in Tanzania. By restoring the Manyara Ranch Wildlife Corridor, AWF has revitalized ecosystems and created sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities through eco-friendly livestock management practices. This collaborative endeavor underscores the importance of integrating conservation with community development, resulting in mutual benefits for people and wildlife. The restoration of the Manyara Ranch Wildlife Corridor stands as a testament to the positive outcomes that can be achieved through strategic partnerships and shared commitment to environmental stewardship. For Better context on our work in Manyara read more here.
7. WHAT WORKS WELL - AND LESS WELL – IN THE COLLABORATION WITH AUTHORITIES?
What works well in collaboration with authorities is when there is alignment between our conservation goals and the government’s objectives. Wildlife management is governed by the laws of the land, and it’s essential for us to work within these legal frameworks. Our role at the African Wildlife Foundation is to support governments in implementing these laws and advocating for policy changes when necessary. Effective collaboration occurs when a shared understanding of priorities, objectives, and challenges exists. When both parties have a common vision and commitment to conservation, progress can be made toward achieving shared goals.
On the contrary, challenges arise when there is a lack of leadership or understanding of the root causes of conservation issues. Additionally, insufficient ownership of conservation initiatives can hinder progress. Overcoming these challenges requires active engagement, communication, and collaboration between conservation organizations and government authorities.
8. WHAT WOULD BE ONE ADVICE FOR AUTHORITIES THAT IMPACT YOUR WORK?
One piece of advice for authorities that impact our work would be to recognize that our efforts ultimately serve them. As conservation organizations, our work is owned by the authorities, and we operate within the frameworks they establish. Therefore, it’s crucial for authorities to actively engage with and support conservation initiatives, understanding that we are partners working towards common goals.
By embracing this perspective, authorities can foster stronger collaboration with conservation organizations, leveraging their expertise and resources to achieve shared objectives. This includes providing the necessary support, resources, and regulatory frameworks to enable effective conservation efforts. Additionally, maintaining open lines of communication and fostering a spirit of cooperation can help ensure conservation initiatives align with broader governmental priorities and objectives.
9. IF YOU COULD WISH FOR ONE SPECIFIC NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL LEGISLATIVE CHANGE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
If I could wish for one specific national or international legislative change, it would be a transformation in the financial system to better account for and incentivize conservation efforts, prioritizing the importance of money reaching the ground. This change would involve reshaping the international financial framework to prioritize investments that support environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Currently, the financial system predominantly measures economic success through metrics like Gross Domestic Product (GDP), often incentivizing activities contributing to environmental degradation. I believe it’s essential to shift away from this tunnel focus on GDP and instead incorporate broader measures of well-being and sustainability into economic assessments.
ABOUT PRF
PRF is a private, commercial foundation, established in 2022. Our purpose is to help restore and protect the planet’s nature and biodiversity and promote sustainable development. We do this through a holistic mindset, mission-driven investments and projects. A key element of our strategy is about doing business differently and in better balance with nature. Therefore, we invest in and support sustainable solutions and knowledge sharing on how to build and live more sustainably.
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