Resisting Environmental Destruction
Tuesday, 31 May 2021
12pm Washington D.C.
5pm London / Kinshasa
6pm Paris / Cape Town / Cairo
7pm NairobiThe vast majority of activists killed worldwide are those who defend our land and the environment. 215 last year alone. These activists are killed in shockingly high numbers precisely because the conservation of our common resources pose an ultimate challenge to the powers that be – especially in authoritarian contexts.
Climate change, land rights, food shortages, extreme poverty, popular participation, conflict and peace: all these issues are inextricably linked.
On Tuesday, May 31, join the Resistance Bureau for our next live event as we spotlight the leaders who are fighting across Africa -- and the world -- to safeguard our environment for this and future generations. Join us to learn about the struggle for environmental justice and how it underpins other pressing issues of our time. We will also debate the tradeoffs between environmental protection and economic development, as well as the colonial baggage of conservation.
Together, let’s seek to unpack these fundamental issues.
Meet our speakers
Ikal Angelei
Ikal Angelei is an award-winning Kenyan environmentalist and accomplished community organizer. Currently, she serves as the director of Friends of Lake Turkana, a grassroots NGO that works to strengthen the leadership roles of women and girls to defend their basic human rights and indigenous territories.
NJ Ayuk
NJ Ayuk is a Cameroonian lawyer, best-selling author, and executive chairman of the African Energy Chamber, where he works with indigenous companies and governments to grow the African energy sector in line with international best practices. Named among Forbes' Top 10 Most Influential Africans, NJ is an ardent advocate for African entrepreneurship and ethical democratic leadership.
Remy Zahiga
Remy Zahiga is a community organizer, indigenous rights activist, and a climate justice campaigner whose life's mission is to save the Congo Basin, home to one of the largest tropical rainforests in the world. Remy is affiliated with a number of grassroots and international initiatives, including Global Citizen and the Green Congo Initiative.
Vijaya Ramachandran
Vijaya Ramachandran has worked and published extensively on issues of climate change and energy poverty. She has many professional affiliations, including as a fellow at the Center for Global Development and Energy for Growth Hub. She also leads energy and development initiatives at The Breakthrough Institute, a global research center that identifies and promotes evidence-based solutions to today's environmental challenges.
Discussion
Nazanine Moshiri
Nazanine Moshiri is a renowned journalist with decades of expertise in the East and Horn of Africa. Today, she serves as a senior analyst on climate and security with the International Crisis Group, where she conducts field research and provides analysis on how to best respond to climate-related security risks in Africa and globally.
Nic Cheeseman
Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham and the author of Democracy in Africa and How to Rig an Election. He is founder and editor of Democracy in Africa and a contributing editor to The Continent, and an election junkie.
Moderation
Mantate Mlotshwa
Mantate Mlotshwa is a passionate advocate for the meaningful contribution of women and youth to democracy and governance processes. The Founder of the creative brand U Motle, she has earned a reputation for speaking her mind and promoting positive messages of liberation and emancipation in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith is an award-winning human rights campaigner, social media influencer, and a prolific writer. He is co-creator of The Resistance Bureau and also founding director of Vanguard Africa, a global nonprofit organization that partners with visionary African leaders to build campaigns for democracy and ethical leadership.