RESOLUTION 4

As amended and accepted by contact groups on the 29th and 30th August 2024

Mainstreaming Mentorship of Young Ecological Stewards

PREAMBLE:

At CoalitionWILD, we envision a world where young ecological stewards, which includes junior professionals, conservationists, and environmentalists are confident, respectful, respected, included, and well-supported as active leaders and agents of change. Over our ten-year history, we have supported over two hundred young conservation leaders by connecting them with relevant seasoned ecological stewards, helping them amplify their networks, access up-to-date knowledge on conservation sector trends, and gain lifelong supporters and cheerleaders.

In recent years, we have seen a striking increase in interest from young ecological stewards seeking mentorship, receiving more than six hundred applications per year for our Global Mentorship Program. Unfortunately, this surge in interest has not been matched by a corresponding increase in participation from mid and senior generations. This trend is not unique to our program but is also evident in other mentorship programs in the conservation sector with which we have had discussions.

WHEREAS:

To ensure the long-term sustainability of restoration, protection, and conservation of nature efforts, we must invest in the younger generation of ecological stewards. These young ecological stewards will soon enter the workforce, advocate for, and actively engage in movements and policies focused on restoring, protecting, and conserving nature. We recognize that mentorship, understood as: “a long-term, trust-based, horizontal relationship between two or more people that provides a space for two-way knowledge, ideas, and experience exchange, and reciprocal learning, empowering young people to exercise their agency, fostering their ability to lead and innovate” is a critical strategy to enhance the effectiveness and maintain the legacy of conservation efforts in the long run.

Mentorship provides youth with cross-generational interactions which contributes to generational planning. This process not only helps maintain the continuity and integrity of the efforts for nature but also secures its legacy.

A key principle of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework emphasizes the need to “meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” We recognize the importance of engaging in meaningful dialogues with younger generations to understand their needs and equip them with resources to develop strategies and address those needs. Ensuring the meaningful participation of younger generations in decision-making processes at all levels is possible only when these dialogues are actively promoted.

THEREFORE

The delegates to the 12th World Wilderness Congress, recognizing the importance of youth in addressing our biodiversity and climate crises, are hereby

RESOLVED

1. To include mentorship of younger generations as part of the internal strategy of organizations, institutions, groups, and companies dedicated to protecting, restoring, and conserving nature. Mentorship can be implemented within the organization, with their partner organizations, or externally.

2. To allocate at least 20 hours per year for each staff member of nonprofit organizations, companies, and groups to mentor young ecological stewards; and

3. To ensure each staff member receives at least 10 hours of mentorship training per year to become more effective mentors. These commitments should be reflected in their job description and responsibilities.

4. To encourage retired environmentalists and ecological stewards to contribute their experience, knowledge, and time to mentorship efforts, ensuring that valuable conservation knowledge is passed on to younger generations.

5. To collaborate with organizations or movements that already have successful mentorship programs or are experts in training for effective mentorship relationships.

6. To advocate for funders to increase grant allocations to organizations and groups that incorporate mentorship into their proposals.

PROPOSERS

Name: Rowely “Yen” Parico
Position/Title: Director, CoalitionWILD
Country: Belgium/Philippines
Email: yen@coalitionwild.org

Name: Fátima Gigante
Position/Title: Program Coordinator, CoalitionWILD
Country: Spain/Portugal
Email: fatima@coalitionwild.org

SECONDERS

Name: Michael Grover
Position/Title: Nature Positive Enterprise Manager, Conserve Global
Country: South Africa
Email: Mike.Grover@conserveglobal.org

Name: Crista Valentino
Position/Title: Executive Director, Jackson Hole Travel and Tourism Board Tribal Partnerships Program Manager, National Wildlife Federation Socio-economic Advancement Specialist, Current Consulting
Country: U.S.A
Email: crista.valentino@gmail.com