https://rightsandresources.org/rri-20th-anniversary-conference/
Founded in 2005, the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) is a global coalition dedicated to advancing the land and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, local communities, and the women within these groups through research, advocacy, and collaboration. Our diverse coalition is one of the largest Indigenous rights and human rights networks in the world.
RRI’s research on Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and community land rights is widely cited in the land, forestry, and environmental policy sectors, and has been covered by The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Guardian, The New Yorker, Associated Press, BBC, Reuters, Le Monde, and more. RRI is headquartered in Washington, DC with additional staff based in Canada, Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
As our coalition proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary, RRI and its allies are coming together to honor two decades of unwavering commitment to advancing the land, forest, and resource rights of Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities, including the women and youth within these groups.
At our celebration in Kathmandu, Nepal on June 30, we will connect leaders from rights-holders’ movements across the world, showcase their achievement and take stock of current and anticipated challenges facing global action for community rights. We understand that not everyone is able to make it in person, so registration is now open for a livestream of the event on June 30, 2025. Register Now!
Our celebration will also include the launch of RRI’s first Collective Action Awards, which recognize the extraordinary achievements and efforts of Indigenous and local communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, spotlighting their innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to protecting nature and preserving traditional knowledge for future generations.
Whether you’re attending in person or virtually, together we will celebrate the indelible power of collective action and the global solidarity movement cultivated by RRI!
Livestream Schedule – June 30, 2025
Opening ceremony and welcome by the Government of Nepal
Time: 9:00 – 9:45 (GMT+5:45) | 23:15 – 00:00 previous night (EDT) | 05:15 – 06:00 (CEST)
Reflections on 20 years of solidarity
Time: 10:00 – 10:45 (GMT+5:45) | 00:15 – 01:00 (EDT) | 06:15 – 07:00 (CEST)
Discussion Panel 1: Building a prosperous, safe, and ecologically balanced future
Time: 11:10 – 12:00 (GMT+5:45) | 01:25 – 02:15 (EDT) | 07:25 – 08:15 (CEST)
Discussion Panels 2 & 3: Lessons and achievements in community forestry from Nepal
- Panel 2: 12:10 – 13:00 (GMT+5:45) | 02:25 – 03:15 (EDT) | 08:25 – 09:15 (CEST)
- Panel 3: 14:00 – 14:50 (GMT+5:45) | 04:15 – 05:05 (EDT) | 10:15 – 11:05 (CEST)
Speakers for this panel include RRI President Dr. Solange Bandiaky-Badji and leaders of RRI’s coalition partners in Nepal: Dr. Pasang Dolma Sherpa (President, CIPRED), Thakur Bhandari (Chairperson, FECOFUN), and Ghanshyam Pandey (President, Green Foundation).
The First RRI Collective Action Awards
Time: 17:00 – 18:00 (GMT+5:45) | 07:15 – 08:15 (EDT) | 13:15 – 14:15 (CEST)
This award celebrates the extraordinary achievements and efforts of communities across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, spotlighting their innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to sustainable livelihoods, protecting nature, and preserving traditional knowledge for future generations.
- Award introduction from RRI President Dr. Solange Bandiaky-Badji, including a presentation of the award finalists
- Winners announced and awards presented
- Special remarks from the delegation representing the 3 winning communities/territories
