GLF Africa 2021: As it happened
Hosted by the Global Landscapes Forum, the fully-online event on 2–3 June 2021 brought together thousands of participants from 186 countries, including pastoralists, scientists, youth activists, restoration practitioners and the highest levels of government, and reached over 32 million people through social media.
Featuring 47 sessions, the release of 12 white papers, and launches of several major initiatives, the conference provided critical insights on dryland restoration for policymakers ahead of the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, which launched on World Environment Day, 5 June 2021. The UN Decade will accelerate action to protect, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems worldwide, including grasslands and savannas, peatlands, forests, farmlands, mountains, freshwater, coastal and marine ecosystems, and urban areas.
All restoration projects need to be led by people. From the highest level of government down to the rural areas, the project has to be led and driven by those on the ground.
For us in Malawi the dryland landscape is a very important component of the ecosystem...They are a source of water for irrigation, grazing and a reservoir of biodiversity with abundant species of animals and plants
We need a new, transformational way of thinking, accompanied by swift action worldwide to move us away from systems that harm the environment and our societies - and towards sustainable systems.
Change can be scary, and that's one of the things that hinders restoration - it has to be a collective effort.
Transformation starts with the local community
Drylands have a huge potential to generate global environmental benefits, and at the same time, also generate better livelihood for local communities and smallholders,
The role that young people play is pretty much the biggest comparative advantage that Africa has. How do we interest them, activate them and invest in their ideas? The Sahel is the youngest part of the world's youngest continent. That ought to be a source of great strength and inspiration
NEWS
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Visions from our Restoration Stewards for the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
4 Jun 2021 -
“Africa is blessed with drylands.”
4 Jun 2021 -
The numbers behind GLF Africa: Restoring Africa’s Drylands
4 Jun 2021 -
“Mending a crack in the sky”: communities, women, youth leading restoration of Africa’s drylands
3 Jun 2021
VIDEOS
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Restauration des Forêts et des Paysages: Défis et Opportunités pour la Décennie à Venir
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Perspectives on Pastoralism Film Festival: Mining Threats in Pastoralist Areas
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Dedicated Grant Mechanism and Support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities’ Engagement in Landscape Restoration on the Ground
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Perspectives on Pastoralism Film Festival: Pastoralist Livelihoods in Africa
PRESENTATIONS
WHITE PAPERS
A convention driven by African youth
With a median age of 19.7 years, Africa has by far the youngest population of any continent in the world. Young Africans are emerging as leaders of a growing movement to revive the continent’s ecosystems and safeguard livelihoods. Over 4,000 youth from over 90 countries took part in GLF Africa, making up nearly 70% of participants. The conference provided a unique opportunity for young people to connect, share ideas and create new partnerships to restore and transform landscapes.
Supported by
Organizations that engage with GLF
