Press release: 30 September 2011

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) Launches New Book

» Download a pdf of Lessons from the Field here (pdf 3.2mb)

On Wednesday 28 September, 2011 IRDNC officially launched a new book entitled Lessons from the Field: IRDNC's Experience in Namibia. IRDNC Co-Director, John Kasaona, launched the book at a NACSO (Namibian Association of CBNRM Support Organisations) Members Meeting.

Lessons from the Field is a collection of enduring insights and lessons learnt during three decades of working with rural communities and presents an African field perspective on how conservation, rural development and the growth of a strong civil society can be successfully integrated. It has been compiled by field workers of IRDNC and all lessons are based on first-hand practical experience. The book is targeted for field practitioners, NGOs and others working in CBNRM.

Minister of Environment and Tourism, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, writes in the forward, "This book conveys a rich array of knowledge and understanding that has come directly out of IRDNC's work in the field, alongside conservancies and their partners. Like the best lessons in life, these have been gained through experience in the field, both negative and positive.

This book, in line with our responsibility, provides us with an important opportunity. It contains lessons that are based on the CBNRM programme's real activities and collective experience, lessons that are clearly captured, meaningful and relevant to Namibia, and possibly to our neighbours and community development and conservation programmes across the world. Let us strive to build on this shared knowledge, to strengthen our partnerships and better manage the challenges and opportunities we continue to face in the National CBNRM programme."

The production costs of the book were provided by WWF-UK, with other costs supported by EED (Evangelischer Entwicklungsdienst).

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), Namibia's oldest and largest field-based implementing non-governmental organisation and registered trust, pioneered the country's first community-based natural resource management work in the 1980s. This laid the foundation for what has become a well documented and successful national CBNRM program led by the Namibian Government and involving one in seven Namibians. IRDNC's partners include the Namibian Government, the 15 NGOs and other members of NACSO, Namibian and western Zambian communities, the University of Namibia, the Polytechnic of Namibia, donors and the private sectors.

IRDNC works in both Namibia and Zambia. Target areas include Namibia’s two most remote corners – the north-west Kunene Region, and the north-east Caprivi Region, where they provide technical, logistic and financial support to more than 50 community-based organizations. In Zambia’s western province, IRDNC assists government, traditional authorities and 24 CBOs to implement CBNRM.

IRDNC’s programs - in conservation, agriculture, business and enterprise development, good governance and institutional support – all stand on three legs. These are improved management of natural resources by the users themselves, diversified local economic development and the growth of a strong civil society.

For further information, please contact Danica Shaw, 061-228506, dshaw.irdnc@gmail.com