Integrating conservation and business in Africa

One of the world’s largest gold mining companies has teamed up with the world’s largest conservation network in a partnership called the ‘Leadership for Conservation in Africa’ (LCA) initiative. The plan is to bring together a core group of African conservation leaders and businessmen to establish long-term business and development frameworks, but to promote sustainable biodiversity and conservation issues at the same time, linking these up with socio-economic advancements.

The project, the first of its kind in Africa, was launched by the chief executive of Sanparks, Dr David Mabunda, on August 14, 2006. The first LCA workshop will be held in the Kruger National Park from August 22-27, 2006. Delegates have been invited from Uganda, Mozambique, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia, Ghana, Malawi, DRC, Botswana, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Rwanda and Namibia.

Dr Mabunda commented that it was the responsibility of all the conservation practitioners and business leaders not only to protect the continent, but also to restore what had been destroyed for the benefit and enjoyment of all people of the world. “All our patrons have pledged their commitment to this initiative, and I have high expectations for the inaugural workshop and related future events.

Our main focus is to establish a secretariat that will manage and co-ordinate the interim process as well as a council that will set out process guidelines for future implementation.” Gold Fields Limited and the World Conservation Union (IUCN) are the two patrons of LCA