| Conference theme |
| The broad theme of this year’s conference is “Challenges and Opportunities for Gorilla Conservation in the Greater Virunga Massif”Introduction
This Year’s Kwita Izina Ceremony coincides with the International Year of the Gorilla, YOG. It has become a tradition in Rwanda, to convene a Conservation Conference, as part of the Kwita Izina Celebrations. It is only fitting that Rwanda, as one of the Mountain Range States contributes something to the YOG activities. This year’s edition of Kwita Izina and Conservation should provide an appropriate opportunity to do so. After consultations within ORTPN / RDB and with conservation partners, it was – IGCP, the Transboundary Core Secretariat, it was agreed that the Conservation Conference be the chief focus and forum for channeling the YOG activities for Rwanda and its national partners in gorilla conservation. The Conservation Conference This year’s Conservation conference will be organized as a regional event, hosted by ORTPN / RDB on behalf of its partners, UWA and ICCN as joint celebrations of the YOG. The two conservation partners for the three countries (Uganda, Rwanda and DRC), IGCP and the TCS, will help co-host the conference and in providing the necessary technical, planning and logistical support. They will also assist in engaging the conservation agencies from Uganda and DRC, so as to ensure that they participate, contribute to, and benefit from the conference as fully as possible. One or two Lowland Gorilla Range States will also be invited to share their experience and perspectives. |
| Objectives of the Conference |
| √The conference will be an opportunity for the three countries their successes in ensuring the survival of the critically endangered Mountain Gorillas; √Review our successes and challenges, where are, where we have come from and, together, chart the future of gorilla conservation in the Virunga Massif; √Demonstrate and renew our commitment to gorilla conservation; √In the past, gorilla conservation was through individual efforts, by the countries and their agencies. The Conference will be an opportunity to build synergies and concerted through existing or new regional arrangements, such as the TCS.. √The conference will also feature an exhibition by the three countries and their partners on they have been doing in gorilla conservation. |
| Conference Structure and Process |
| The one-day conference will be structured around facilitated plenary sessions. The sessions will be designed to provide the best possible levels of participation and information relevant to the theme.
Each session will have a separate Chair who will guide its conduct to ensure that timelines and objectives are fully met. The Chair will ensure that participants are fully engaged, and will promote interaction between them in addressing the conference theme or its specific topics. Selected papers will be presented by the PA agencies and their partners on a range of issues and perspectives relating to the successes, challenges and opportunities for gorilla conservation. After each session of presentations, there will be open discussions around important issues raised in the presentations. Every session will have a Reporter who will ensure that all key issues arising from the discussions are recorded for future reference. The conference attendance will be by invitation only, with around one hundred participants being expected to attend. |
| Conference Outputs |
| 1) Presentations of national and regional contribution to the YOG, 2) Presentation of national and regional reviews of the successes, challenges and future directions in gorilla conservation, 3) Proceedings of the conference, which will be disseminated widely, as our contribution to the YOG, 4) In the spirit of regional cooperation, market the Virungas as a single tourist destination 5) Proposals for strengthening regional policies, processes and institutions for more effective conservation of the gorillas and their habitats and ecosystems. |
| Contribution by Country |
| Each country has unique experience and knowledge which the can contribute to the YOG. It is proposed that each country make contributions in the following subjects:• Uganda / UWA: Elaborate on conservation policy with particular reference to gorilla conservation; • DRC / ICCN: Make a presentation on their experience in gorilla conservation during conflict and war, • Rwanda / ORTPN: Present Rwanda’s experience in the development of gorilla based tourism. • Research Institutes: Karisoke Research Centre and the International Tropical Forest Conservation can make a joint presentation on the contribution of research to gorilla conservation; • Conservation of Lowland Gorillas: Experience and lessons from Central / West Africa, • Advertising and Publicity: The Agencies will implement and /or participate in YOG-related activities in their countries and use the conference to publicize the activities and share experience, • Exhibitions: Space will be provided at the conference venue for the Protected Area Agencies and their partners to exhibit their materials relating to gorilla conservation. Exhibits will include posters, banners, brochures, batiks, publications etc. • Televised Panel Discussions: On the eve of the conference, the Directors of the three the Executive Directors of ICCN and UWA and the Deputy CEO, RDB will participate in a televised panel discussions to be broadcast live on RTV. The discussions will be centered on Gorilla Conservation and the YOG.Contributions by Regional Institutions and Programmes: • IGCP: In addition to co-hosting the conference, will make a presentation on the application of Ranger Based Monitoring as a management tool in gorilla conservation, |
| Organization and Planning |
| A joint Technical Planning Team comprising of ORTPN / RDB, IGCP and the Tran boundary Core Secretariat – TCS has been constituted to do the detailed planning and programming for the conference |
PROGRAM FOR 2009 KWITA IZINA WEEK |
| Day I- 14th Kwita Izina Cycling Tour |
| To sensitize our communities and Rwanda citizens in whole, Kwita Izina Cycling Tour will be organized in partnership with Rwanda Cycling federation. The climax of this cycling will happen during Kwita Izina week |
| Day II- 17th June 2009: Conservation Conference |
| This conference will be hosted by the Rwanda Wildlife Agency. The Annual Conservation Conference would be organized around bringing together Gorilla Range States to share experiences and future plans in the protection of gorillas, other threatened species and their ecosystems. Such a conference would be good for Rwanda – it will demonstrate its willingness and ability to play a regional role in conservation |
| Day III- 18th Kwita Izina Community Day |
| To support and alleviate poverty in the districts surrounding the National Parks, different communities’ projects were supported from 2003 to date. Launching of community project within Nyabihu, Burera and Musanze Districts is organized in Partnership with Northern Province. Join us in the community day as we showcase what the gorilla revenue sharing scheme has achieved “conservation in action” in developing the communities surrounding the parks. |
| Day IV -19th June 2009: Community party “Igitaramo” |
| The community party called Igitaramo (traditional pre event party in Rwandese language), very exciting celebration organized by communities surrounding volcanoes National Park to celebrate the new born baby gorilla. From 2007, always it’s attended by more than 5,000 people from all over the world. Don’t miss out on the cultural extravaganza, with different cultural dances and the superb Intore dance and locally praised Ikinimba dance. |
| Day V– 20th June 2009: 5th Annual Naming Ceremony |
| A celebration of the International Year of the Gorilla with honored guests from Rwanda’s leadership and private sector, from the United Nations/UNESCO, Gorilla Range States, and renowned conservationists, local, regional and international supporters of Kwita Izina as well as entertainers |