Mobile Peoples and Conservation: Crossing the Disciplinary Divide

In April 2002, nearly 30 experts from around the world, with various professional backgrounds, attended a five-day conference in the Dana Nature Reserve, Jordan. The aim of this follow-up conference was to stimulate an open and frank discourse relating to the current impact of wildlife conservation on the lives and livelihoods of Mobile Indigenous Peoples, who generally inhabit remote and marginal areas. After intensive debate, in which contrasting perspectives were offered, common ground was successfully developed around an agreed statement – the Dana Declaration on Mobile Peoples and Conservation.

The Declaration is an attempt to forge a new partnership between conservationists and Mobile Indigenous Peoples in order to ensure that future conservation policies and programmes help maintain the earth's ecosystems, species and genetic diversity while respecting the rights of indigenous and traditional communities. It sets out five principles for promoting this new approach to conservation based on respect for human rights, partnership and collaborative management.

For full details visit: www.danadeclaration.org

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• Publications / Mobile Peoples and Conservation: Crossing the Disciplinary Divide (Event report)