FOREST AND LIVELIHOODS, SUSTAINING PEOPLE AND PLANET, that’s the theme of World Wildlife Day 2021 decided by UN.
Our founder, Emmanuela Shinta, was invited by CITES and UNDP to speak as one of the panelists in the event. With topic on Forest, Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Growth and Employment, Emmanuela shared the Dayak perspective on seeing the forests and wildlife. “People see forests, they see money. They talk about economic value. It’s different for us. We see forests, we see life,” said Emmanuela.
Emmanuela also shared what Ranu Welum Foundation has been doing to tackle the forest fires and restore the ecosystem while also fighting for the rights of the Dayak community. At the end of the panel, Emmanuela called for an action. She urged the world leaders’ to use the bottom up approach, and to include the indigenous communities in every decision making regarding land management. She emphasized, “Only by respecting each other, we can walk together and achieve the better future.”
Watch the panel here.