Lessons learned in supporting Wildlife Enforcement Networks NGO perspectives

An NGO perspective on the rationale for Wildlife Enforcement Networks (WENs)? Regional cooperation approaches: Attract high-level commitment that was historically not clear Provide a platform for information-sharing and regionally-coordinated enforcement responses Encourage building and sharing of capacity and resources (training workshops, training materials, ID tools, forensics experts, judicial training)  Encourage financial and technical support from major donors to address strategic regional wildlife trade issues

What have NGOs’ tried to do to help? Promote the benefits of WENs to help germination Provide technical support – evidence – connections – lessons learned during WEN development Logistical and coordination support for meetings and workshops Fundraising support Capacity building support (training workshops, training materials, ID tools, forensics, judicial training) Communications and awareness (e.g. media, publications and outreach materials)

How things have changed

Some lessons learned With the recent attention on wildlife crime in the GLOBAL CONTEXT with HIGH LEVEL POLITICAL WILL, MAJOR FUNDING INVESTMENTS, NEW PLATFORMS, POLICIES, TOOLS & SYSTEMS its all very positive and it has generated renewed interest in WENS.  But the FOCUS ON MEGAFAUNA / AFRICA / ASIA TO DATE while helping to catalyze the attention and resources has generated TOO MANY DISCONNECTED INITIATIVES in the rush to get profile, resources and show impact.  Strategic and coordinated interventions are needed.  There is a LACK OF DATA ON SCALE  & IMPACT IN SOME REGIONS of what these efforts have generated and that is worrying and needs addressing, perhaps WENS can play that role in determining joined up strategies and monitoring of impact.

Some lessons learned One size (or shape) does not fit all – building on natural and existing structures makes sense Need for attention to sustainability of WENs as they develop Political commitment is critical – but achieving specific focused action is the test for WEN success – a two track process is needed WENs have much greater access to resources and help – this has implications for WENs and those supporting them, including NGO approaches Need to face up to the difficult things too often worked around – corruption, inter-agency rivalry, resource allocation Networks of networks – an approach that can work – sharing lessons – agreeing how to measure impact

INNOVATION SCIENCE ENGAGEMENT PLATFORMS COMMITMENTS ANALYSIS NETWORKING

Lessons learned in supporting Wildlife Enforcement Networks NGO perspectives

zzz ? ? ? ? ? Enforcement agencies around the region were originally confused about who could help them with what. So many brands of conservation programs.

Secretariat Development (RMED) Wildlife Enforcement Network (WEN) Secretariat Development (RMED) Police Customs CITES National Parks Judges/ Prosecutors DETECT Detect Environmental Crime Training Species Identification PROTECT Protected-area Operational and Tactical Enforcement Conservation Training Judicial and Prosecutorial Awareness (e.g. Green Benches) This is what the ARREST Support PRgram looks like. We’re on the bottom half. Various organizations team up to provide technical and financial support to national and regional WENs. ARREST support is organized by theme and country and delivered on demand driven basis.. Public Relations & Communications

Structure of ASEAN-WEN Good Model ASEAN-WEN is a good example of a network that developed with the help out outside organizations. Before there was ASEAN-WEN, there was an ASEAN-Wen Support Program, which is now called ARREST. This is the structure of ASEAN-WEN, but take a close look at the black box. It’s ASEAN-WEN’s support program.

ARREST TOOL KITS PROTECT DETECT ASEAN-WEN toolkit iTHINK toolkit WildScan manual Legal handbook Wildlife Friendly Skies WildScan ARREST TOOL KITS 13

Lessons learned in supporting Wildlife Enforcement Networks NGO perspectives