Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1893/25339
Appears in Collections:Psychology Journal Articles
Peer Review Status: Refereed
Title: Capacity building for conservation: problems and potential solutions for sub-Saharan Africa
Author(s): O'Connell, Mark J
Nasirwa, Oliver
Carter, Marianne
Farmer, K H
Appleton, Michael
Arinaitwe, Julius
Bhanderi, Preetika
Chimwaza, Gracian
Copsey, Jamieson
Dodoo, Jacob
Duthie, Amy
Gachanja, Michael
Hunter, Nigel
Karanja, Beatrice
Komu, Henry Mwaka
Contact Email: k.h.farmer@stir.ac.uk
Keywords: Capacity building
protected area management
community engagement, leadership, e-Learning
Issue Date: Apr-2019
Date Deposited: 12-May-2017
Citation: O'Connell MJ, Nasirwa O, Carter M, Farmer KH, Appleton M, Arinaitwe J, Bhanderi P, Chimwaza G, Copsey J, Dodoo J, Duthie A, Gachanja M, Hunter N, Karanja B & Komu HM (2019) Capacity building for conservation: problems and potential solutions for sub-Saharan Africa. Oryx, 53 (2), pp. 273-283. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0030605317000291
Abstract: To successfully achieve their stated conservation goals individuals, communities and organisations need to acquire a diversity of skills, knowledge and information (capacity). Despite current efforts to build and maintain appropriate levels of conservation capacity, it has been recognised that there will need to be a significant scaling-up of these activities in sub-Saharan Africa. This is because of the rapidly growing number and extent of environmental problems in the region. This paper presents a range of socio-economic contexts relevant to four key areas of African conservation capacity building: protected area management, community engagement, effective leadership, and professional e-Learning. Under these core themes, 39 specific recommendations are presented. These were derived from multi-stakeholder workshop discussions at an international conference held in Nairobi (Kenya) in 2015. At the meeting, 185 delegates (practitioners, scientists, community groups and government agencies) represented 105 organisations from 24 African nations and 8 non-African nations. The 39 recommendations constitute five broad types of suggested action: those that recommend (i) the development of new methods, (ii) the provision of capacity building resources e.g. information or data, (iii) the communication of ideas or examples of successful initiatives, (iv) the implementation of new research or gap analyses, (v) the establishment of new structures within and between organisations, and (vi) the development of new partnerships. A number of cross-cutting issues also emerged from the discussions. For example, all four workshops highlighted the need for a greater sense of urgency in developing capacity building activities in response to ongoing and rapid socio-environmental change in the region. Delegates also felt that conservation organisations, responsible agencies and donors need to recognise capacity building as one of the most urgent conservation issues we face. The need to develop novel and cost-efficient capacity building methodologies (and associated evaluation metrics), was also identified as a key issue. However, it was stressed that future of capacity building efforts will be best served by integrating new methods with more established activities. Importantly, given the broad suite of social, cultural and economic contexts found across sub-Saharan Africa, the need to move away from ‘one-size-fits-all’ approaches was strongly recommended in all thematic areas. Lastly, it was recognised that closing the gap between capacity need and capacity provision in the region will only be achieved through multi-partner capacity initiatives and networks.
DOI Link: 10.1017/S0030605317000291
Rights: [OConnell-etal-2017_ORYX.pdf] The publisher does not allow this work to be made publicly available in this Repository. Please use the Request a Copy feature at the foot of the Repository record to request a copy directly from the author. You can only request a copy if you wish to use this work for your own research or private study.
[African capacity buidling manuscript - AMENDED VERSION 2.pdf] This item has been embargoed for a period. During the embargo please use the Request a Copy feature at the foot of the Repository record to request a copy directly from the author. You can only request a copy if you wish to use this work for your own research or private study. This article has been accepted for publication in Oryx. This version is free to view and download for private research and study only. Not for re-distribution, re-sale or use in derivative works. © Fauna & Flora International 2017
Notes: Additional co-authors: Vivian Kosgei, Anthony Kuria, Chris Magero, Maaike Manten, Paul Mugo, Eduard Müller, Julie Mulonga, Leo Niskanen, Josephine Nzilani, Mary Otieno, Nisha Owen, Juliet Owuor, Stuart Paterson, Sébastien Regnaut, Richard Rono, Joseph Ruhiu, Jesse Theuri Njoka, Lucy Waruingi, Brian Waswala Olewe and Emily Wilson

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