For too long a crucial voice has been missing from the international conversation around how to face the biodiversity crisis: the communities and indigenous peoples who live together with wildlife are central to the approaches and success of conservation going forwards.

This time Gordon Buchanan’s talking with Lesle Jansen to discuss how resource rights are also human rights.

Lesle’s background working with prison inmates in South Africa post-apartheid sparked a career in international law and her continued work to defend the rights of indigenous communities to use and exploit their own resources.

She shares her personal story and fascinating insights into why she believes conservation needs to shift from being militaristic in practise to becoming people-centred and rights-based. Today Lesle is CEO at the Southern Africa office of Resource Africa, a structured consortium of leaders that supports rural African communities in securing their rights and being heard in international debates that materially affect their lives. She also serves on the African Commission’s Work Group and has 15 years experience in environmental and social justice, with a special focus on traditional knowledge, local communities and resource rights.

Hunting can be a controversial topic. We also hear testimonials gathered by Safari Club International Foundation on the uses of proceeds from a community-managed scheme in Botswana.

Visit the website https://jammainternational.com to explore more international projects.

https://resourceafrica.net

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