Innovative conservation since 1903 Institutionalizing cultural values– lessons &challenges of integrating cultural values in protected areas management in Uganda

Innovative conservation since 1903 CULTURE – what it is Culture

Innovative conservation since 1903 Cultural Values Cultural values are commonly shared concepts about right, wrong, possible or impossible, true or false and so on Find expression in terms of Cultural heritage, Traditional knowledge, language, lifestyle, arts & crafts, aesthetic values, spiritual values. Unwritten unrecorded

Innovative conservation since 1903 How these values are institutionalized Often informal or bestowed onto individual Believed and practiced on individual basis Enforcement based on individual no policing Punishment collectively undertaken and includes the ‘unseen’ consequences

Innovative conservation since 1903 Cultural values and conservation Cultural values include meanings, practices, and behavioral patterns and shape attitudes Context-specific conservation, empathetic to communities and their values Partnership with communities can be better anchored by understanding and engaging with their values

Innovative conservation since 1903 Protected Areas PA are seen as cornerstones of National & International biodiversity conservation strategies Designated based on their biodiversity values and subsequently economic benefits Have formal institutions with policies laws, guidelines, regulations and protocols People’s cultural values and interests forgotten or least understood

Innovative conservation since 1903 Protected Areas Yet often such landscapes are culturally and spiritually significant to local populations Integration of intangible values of local people in PA management has been overlooked

Innovative conservation since 1903 What are institutions A set of rules governing cooperative human behavior. Term commonly applied to: customs and behavior patterns important to a society particular formal organizations of government and public service

Innovative conservation since 1903 Formalizing cultural values; challenges Different parameters of defining ‘values’ – tested and proven versus ‘professional’ knowledge Biased balance of power – national/international interests versus local needs Failures in expressions and presentations – shy, powerless and hopeless

Innovative conservation since 1903 Challenges continued  Lack of clearly defined boundaries of jurisdiction over the resource/cultural landscape.  Un-defined community/groups managing/using the resource.  Rules that are not locally appropriate or devised.

Innovative conservation since 1903 Challenges Cotd…  Unclear, un-recognised rights to resources and rules about them.  Those involved in resource use not taking part in decision making about the resources.  Decision making taking place in offices that are inaccessible to resource users.  Lack of accountable monitoring and effective authority structures to meet expectations of the resources users.

Innovative conservation since 1903 Learning from Case-study session Bring the culture question to bear upon the enquiries into community practices and associations with the landscape Thorough understanding of rules and norms that communities follow and its implications for conservation

Innovative conservation since 1903 Learning Ctd…  Graduated sanctions should be devised for non-compliance with collective rules.  Conflict resolution mechanisms should be clear, accessible and rapid.  ‘Nesting’ local values in decision-making allows multi-layered resources management in complex systems

Innovative conservation since 1903 Learning Contd… Engage with traditional structures However, be aware of cultural politics, ways by which communities could be asserting their power, perpetrating inequitable practices, etc. Encourage and practice: Open and transparent deliberations provide spaces for negotiation and collaboration, not to intensify conflicts

Innovative conservation since 1903 Addressing Challenges Understanding the concept, not a threat but a complimentary approach in the basket of other community based conservation approaches Have targeted communication strategy to make the approach accessible and understandable to a wide variety of stakeholders Anchor the approach in partnership with other institutions so that more organizations understand the approach and greater potential of it being effectively engaged with

Innovative conservation since 1903 Addressing challenges Ctd. Requires rigorous field-level engagement to understand the nuances within and between stakeholders It is time-consuming process to deliver results but starting with acknowledging and understanding local values often is the key to effective, long-term engagement with communities

Innovative conservation since 1903 Recommendations The approach calls for open, transparent and accountable systems for dialogue and negotiations. There is a need to think outside the ‘box’ – beyond PA boundaries and beyond the ‘enabling policy and legal framework Need for constant reviews with respect to the context

Innovative conservation since 1903 Recommendations Ctd Explore policy spaces within which the approach can be institutionalized Possibility for advocacy through this approach, for inclusion of local communities and their values in PA governance Re-think how to include the cultural values in the planning and management ‘instruments’ of Protected areas i.e. laws, policies etc.