Caux Dialogue on Environment and Security

Jul 1, 2020 - Jul 4, 2020 | Caux Forum, United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature
online
View Original

The world stands at the most crucial point in its history. The health crisis has overshadowed the even larger crisis we are facing as humanity – climate change. We have five years to avoid climate change accelerating to truly dangerous levels, bringing profound political, social and economic consequences. As the world pauses in quarantine we have an opportunity to regroup and re-imagine the future that we want to see. 

Recent reports from the International Panel on Climate Change indicate that we have 12 years to prevent ‘runaway climate change’, which would present the greatest ever threat to human security, and only five years to keep global temperature rise under 2 degrees Celsius. With 75 years’ experience of trust building in over 40 countries and at all levels of society, Initiatives of Change is uniquely positioned to respond to this challenge.   

Climate change, deforestation and overgrazing are leaving vast swathes of land across the drylands of Africa and Asia degraded and marginally productive. Violent conflict and migration often result, making it more difficult to implement measures to mitigate or adapt to climate change. In the worst cases, ungovernable areas emerge, sustaining non-state armed groups such as Boko Haram and Al Shabaab. These groups often depend on illicit economic activities and thus the perpetuation of violence.

On the other hand, there is growing evidence that the vicious cycle of land degradation, conflict and fragility can be reversed. Integrating land restoration with community-based peacebuilding can create a virtuous cycle leading to both environmental and social recovery: this can help communities mitigate and adapt to climate change. The sticking point in implementing this approach often lies in the need to forge and sustain local, communal agreements and to build trust over the shared governance of natural resources. Addressing this constraint is at the heart of IofC’s international Initiatives for Land, Lives and Peace programme.

Building and nurturing people has always been central to the Caux Dialogue on Environment and Security. Our programme is built around rich, diverse and inclusive dialogue, which creates deep and lasting connections between participants in a short timeframe. This year the online format allows us to open-up, welcome more participants and bring new perspectives.

Working with the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the forum has brought together policy makers, farmers, NGOs, community leaders, businesses and entrepreneurs in one of the first international forums to spotlight the links between sustainable land management and peace.

Our core value system for the forum remains our belief in talking ‘with’ people versus talking ‘at’ people. We have found year after year that building the entire forum around circular dialogue creates far greater amounts of knowledge transfer, idea maturation, collaboration and networking. This year we invite everyone to join the Dialogue and find inspiration to address their most pressing issues with the help of our community.   

We invite you to join us as we re-imagine the future. Together. 

Programme

During the four thematic days participants will hear from leading experts and practitioners:

1 July, 14:00 - 15:00 (CEST):  Plenary 1: Anticipating the security risks of land degradation and climate

2 July, 10:00 - 11:00 (CEST):  Plenary 2: Community Action: entry-point to holistic solutions

3 July, 14:00 - 15:00 (CEST): Plenary 3: Climate Finance: catalyst of holistic solutions

4 July, exact time to be confirmed: Open Space and Initiatives Fair: showcase your solutions

You will be invited to join deep-dives and practical workshops on the topics of environmental health, innovation and entrepreneurship, youth climate activism and many others.

You will also have an opportunity to host your own event and showcase your initiative.

Most importantly, following IofC’s tradition, we will facilitate dialogues and community groups where you will have the chance to meet like-minded people and to build new connections. 

Click here to see the detailled programme.

When: 01-04 July 2020

Where: Online