Corporate Pride.pdf - African Lion & Environmental Research Trust

Conserving a wild Africa throughresponsible development byuniting; corporate leaders,academics, policy makers,NGO’s and the communities ofAfrica.Responsible [ri-spon-suh-buhl] adj: answerableor accountable, as for something within one'spower, control, or managementDevelopment [di-vel-uhp-muhnt] noun: the actor process of developing; growth; progressDecision making is not a trade off between economic development and environmental planning. This is a falsechoice. Decisions have to take into account both – conservation must be at the centre of our economies andour countries.Social and economic development has got to be delivered in a way that is compatible with life supportsystems, ecosystems and natural services.We must empower local communities to be involved in both the design and management of conservationpolicies; to allow the people themselves to be the protectors and benefactors of wildlife.The needs and desires ofthe varied African culturesare often different fromthose perceived by theWestern world and onlythrough working with thepeople of Africa, speakingto their aspirations andunderstanding theirpriorities, can truecommunity involvement inconservation be achieved.Implementing Africansolutions to Africanchallenges; makingconservation relevant tothe lives of the Africanpeople.African Lion & Environmental Research Trust 14