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KUCHING, Aug 11: WWF-Malaysia is set to organise a two-day event in Kuching to celebrate indigenous communities championing conservation efforts in Sarawak on Aug 19-20.
According to WWF-Malaysia in a statement today, the event will be held in conjunction with the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, comprising a forum, mini-exhibition, and project site visit.
The forum and mini-exhibition will take place at the Borneo Cultures Museum’s (BCM) Arts and Crafts Gallery on August 19 Saturday from 8.30am to 3pm, and members of the public, including museum visitors, are welcome to attend the forum, which is themed, ‘Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.’
The next day, communities coming from outside Kuching will have the opportunity to visit a community-managed area called Jagoi Heritage Forest in Bau and have first-hand experience learning from the Jagoi community.
Meanwhile, WWF-Malaysia Community Engagement and Education Manager in Sarawak, Ailyn Nau Sidu, said the objectives of this event are to create awareness of inclusive conservation among the public, provide indigenous communities with the opportunity to cross-learn from each other on their conservation efforts, and how their deep-rooted cultures help to conserve the natural resources and promote intergenerational connections and green transition.
“Inclusive conservation means recognising indigenous communities and local communities’ rights in managing their ancestral land sustainably for their own well-being and nature.
“It also means supporting indigenous and local communities at the grassroots level, including women and youth participation in their efforts protecting their land and surrounding biodiversity,” she said.
She added that during the forum at Borneo Cultures Museum (BCM), they would highlight the success stories of the indigenous communities’ efforts in conserving natural resources.
“The audience will also glimpse WWF’s staff working experience with indigenous communities despite having different cultures and facing language barriers,” she said.
For more details on the programme, visit WWF-Malaysia’s Facebook or Instagram page. — DayakDaily
