The University Colloquium on the Global South at York will host a presentation by Robin Roth, Garry Fehr and Kate Ervine, titled "Emerging Trends in Conservation and Development: Participation, Power and the Politics Resource Management". This presentation takes place today, from 2:30 to 4:30pm, in 305 York Lanes.
Conservation thinking and practice has evolved considerably over the past two decades and with it, emphasis has shifted away from the preservationist practices of fortress conservation to the new received wisdom of biodiversity utilization, often operationalized through Integrated Conservation and Development Projects (ICDPs). Institutions such as the World Bank and its green sister institution the Global Environment Facility, have been some of the most vocal advocates of this new strategy. This shift away from traditional preservationist approaches seeks to protect nature from humans, thus making a strong case for the inclusion of local communities in the design and implementation of ICDPs. This panel will consider these issues with a discussion of emerging trends in conservation policy globally, followed by the presentation of case studies from India and Mexico.
Kate Ervine is a doctoral candidate in York’s Department of Political Science and a researcher with the International Secretariat for Human Development. Her current research explores how internationally-driven environmental policy frameworks, particularly in the area of biodiversity conservation, influence the possibilities for sustainable, democratic and culturally-informed human development in Southern Mexico.
Robin Roth is a professor in York’s Geography Department and a political ecologist with an interest in global conservation politics and the impact of conservation policy on indigenous peoples. Her research investigates the spatiality of conservation conflict and the resulting livelihood change in the forests of Northern Thailand.
Garry Fehr is a doctoral candidate in the Department of Geography at the University of Guelph. His current research was carried out in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India where he examined the impacts of globalization on the rural livelihoods of harvesters of non-timber forest products. He also has experience working on humanitarian aid projects in Haiti, Belize and India.
The University Colloquium on the Global South is an open space for debate and critical inquiry for students, faculty members, NGOs, social activists and policy makers. Colloquia are free and do not require pre-registration.
For information or to register for updates, visit the University Consortium on the Global South Web site or call Joëlle Reid, UCGS coordinator at joelle@yorku.ca.