News

In the week of International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to gender justice and women’s rights under the Forests for a Just Future programme, implemented by the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA). At a time when commitments to diversity, equity and inclusion are being rolled back in many places, we must continue to show why they matter. This year’s theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” reminds us that progress is not guaranteed. It must be fought for. 

Last August, the call from our Ugandan partner organisation Friends of Zoka to protect Zoka Central Forest Reserve was recognized by the Ugandan parliament. After viewing a broadcast of Friends of Zoka’s documentary on Zoka Forest, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament took an interest in the issue. This lead to a fruitful meeting last month, with outcomes that could finally lead to accountability for the continued exploitation of the forest.

More biodiversity in oil palm landscapes: that is the vision of IUCN NL’s new report Boosting biodiversity: a visual guide to promote biodiversity values in oil palm landscapes.

Despite many advancements in literacy rates, still today, approximately 1 in 5 people are completely illiterate, and of those who are literate, around 3 billion people are limited to basic level reading and writing. The global economy, however, is increasingly becoming a knowledge-based economy, wherein literacy is essential. Illiterate persons are consequently faced with discriminatory challenges which negatively affect their health, economic and social well-being, and their ability to engage in political spheres, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation.  

A strong civil society is essential for foreign trade and development cooperation. That is why the Strategic Partnerships, including the Green Livelihoods Alliance, are appealing to Minister Klever for Foreign Trade and Development and the Dutch House of Representatives to draft a new policy framework that strengthens civil society.

The Indonesian palm oil company Astra Agro Lestari (AAL) is notorious for deforestation and human rights violations. A new report reveals that AAL, in collaboration with the military police, is threatening local communities.

Sulawesi, the fourth-largest island in the Indonesian archipelago, is a sanctuary for rare and endangered wildlife. It is home to endemic species such as the anoa, the babirusa, and the iconic maleo bird. This rich biodiversity is increasingly under threat from the expanding nickel industry. In recent years, the island has witnessed a sharp rise in nickel mines and smelters, endangering its ecosystems.

In a guest post and photo essay, freelance photojournalist Garry Lotulung delves into the pressing challenges facing Sulawesi’s unique wildlife and landscapes.

‘If one partner leaves the alliance, it would feel like the amputation of a leg.’ A conversation with Diana Nabiruma and Richard Ssemmanda of the Green Livelihoods Alliance, about their fight against deforestation for fossil fuel extraction in Uganda and their support for local communities – ‘and they protect us from intelligence agents’.