TRACKING PROGRESS: K2C PARTNERS TAKING ACTION IN THE LANDSCAPE TOWARDS COMMON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS!

by Nick Theron 

The K2C Partner Consultative Workshop held on 28 June 2019 in Hoedspruit once again demonstrated how committed institutions in our landscape are to ensure that their endeavours connects to something bigger and contribute to the creation of a sustainable, enduring future for all life!

Mike Grover from Conservation South Africa (CSA), the Facilitator of the K2C Partner Workshop, inspired the 30 participants from Hoedspruit Hub, Kruger National Park, Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC), CSA, Transfrontier Africa, Limpopo Economic Development Environment & Tourism (LEDET), Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF), WWF-Khetha, WWF-Water Stewardship, Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF), and the different K2C Teams to paint a collective picture of what is currently happening in the space between biodiversity conservation and sustainable inclusive development in terms of different themes. This facilitated a better common understanding of the different partners’ scope of work in order to highlight where needs and opportunities for better collaboration could be.

Vongani Maringa from DEFF, who is responsible for the National UNESCO MaB Programme, complimented the K2C Network on their inter-connectedness, collaborative efforts and reporting.

The K2C-partnership network is supporting SANParks with the development of the 2019/20 Greater Kruger Strategic Development Framework. The Framework connects all parties in the Greater Kruger, including communities, conservation organizations and practitioners, the private sector and government, to improve the lives of people who live in the Greater Kruger, where the K2C is one node. The Framework will guide the creation and strengthening socio-economic development in the area while securing the conservation land in the Greater Kruger for nature to thrive. The Framework includes aspects of human and wildlife security, rural development, responsible tourism and associated socio-economic opportunities, financial sustainability, disease management, sustainable resource utilization, governance and more.

An Outcome of the Workshop is that the K2C Network would like to have further detailed theme specific workshops in the next two months: Economic Development, Research and Education for Sustainable Development workshops with partners will be convened. We are looking forward to engage with our Partners in these spaces!