Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan – September 16, 2024 – A four-day trainers’ workshop on ethical approaches to community engagement for biodiversity conservation concluded successfully at Lake Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan. The workshop, held from September 12th to 15th, aimed to equip conservation practitioners from different parts of the world with the tools and knowledge necessary to implement inclusive and ethical conservation practices.
Conventional conservation methods, often centered around protected areas, have frequently resulted in adverse impacts on Indigenous peoples and local communities. Displacement, curtailment of traditional practices, and limited access to resources have been common outcomes. Recognizing the need for a more equitable and ethical approach, the workshop sought to foster a shift in conservation practices
Participants learned about ethical considerations in wildlife and human interactions, social justice principles, and the importance of empowering Indigenous peoples and local communities as leaders and beneficiaries of conservation efforts. The workshop was a collaborative initiative of the International Snow Leopard Trust, Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection Program, Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan, and the Ethical Conservation Alliance, and was generously funded by the UK Government through the Darwin Initiative.