Leadership for Conservation in Africa - An Overview

HISTORY

The LCA was initiated by South African National Parks (SANParks) and established with support from two additional founding patrons, Gold Fields Ltd, as well as the IUCN (The World Conservation Union, in collaboration with the Heads of Conservation of 16 African countries including Burkina Faso, Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Republic of Congo, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, The Gambia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

In line with a resolution of the G8 Summit in 2005, "... to stimulate growth, to improve the investment climate and to make trade work for Africa by helping to build Africa's capacity", the above congregation decided to influence business and conservation leaders, in order to find ways to integrate business principles with conservation management, and to actively facilitate the involvement of business in sustainable conservation-led socio-economic development and capacity building in Africa.  

The Inaugural meeting was in August 2006 and since there were three more Council Meetings (with increasing numbers) in Uganda (2007), Namibia (2008) and Botswana (2009). The LCA Constitution was drafted by all the above stakeholders. In essence the LCA recognises that:

• The responsibility for and the ability to determine the future of Africa, rests with the people of Africa;

• The core principle of sound business practice is the key to ensure the future survival of conservation;

• Conservation-driven development could contribute significantly to the socio-economic wellbeing of rural Africa, while sustaining habitats and wildlife, countering global warming, to ensure a better planet for future generations;

PATRONS

Since the Inaugural Meeting in August 2006 numerous organisations and international business leaders came on board to support this initiative. The present LCA Patrons include:

Anglo Coal Global                                   --        

Gold Fields Limited                                 --  

Howard G Buffett Foundation                 --         

International Union for Conservation     --         

Standard Bank                                       --             

Sabine Plattner African Charities            --

The Hasso Plattner Foerderstiftung (gGmbH)

Thompsons Africa                                   --         

Veolia Water                                          --        

 MTN                                                      --         

ADVISORS

The advisors of the LCA include: 

The Getty Conservation Institute - GCI (Cultural Heritage)

United Nations Environmental Programme - UNEP (Legislative matters) 

SUPPORT BASE 

In every country where a National LCA Chapter is formed, the approval of government was granted for the activities of that particular Chapter and the work is widely supported my the National Business Leaders of that particular country. The LCA is also widely supported by International business leaders, politicians, philanthropists and opinion leaders. 

THE LCA VISION

 "To harness the collective will and capacity of business and conservation leaders for sustainable conservation-led socio-economic development in Africa",

STRATEGIC INTENT: 

• Influence international, as well as national business leaders to become strategic business partners of the national conservation authorities of the above 16 member-countries;

• Create forums for communication between business and conservation, through the establishment of National LCA Chapters;

• Facilitate national and international conservation-led socio-economic development programmes;

• Exploit established relationship between business and conservation, to influence governmental and political decisions in favour of best conservation practice; and

• Acknowledge positive contributions made by business to support sustainable conservation-led socio-economic development.

STRUCTURE

The highest decision making body of the LCA is The Council, an independent body of all members (conservation and business), led by the Chairman of the LCA (presently Mr Ian Cockerill). The Council determines broad policy and direction of the LCA.

The Board of Directors is elected by the Leadership Council. The Board is structured to incorporate two representatives of the business community, two representatives of the African Conservation Authorities, one representative from the IUCN. In addition the three founding member each have a seat on the Board.  

The Board is led by the Chairman of the Board, elected by the Board members. The CEO is appointed by the Board and serves ex-officio on the Board.

MEMBERSHIP STRUCTURE

The LCA Council consists of the following members:

Existing Members	Including: One representative of each of the three Founding Patrons: SANParks, Gold Fields and the IUCN and All business leaders who were present at the LCA Inaugural Meeting in August 2006, who wish to remain members of the LCA.
Representatives of each National LCA Chapter	Two representatives of each of the National LCA Chapters of the 16 African countries, including one conservationist and one national business leader. The same applies to countries that may join the LCA in future.
International Business Patrons	Members of the Board will approach identified international business leaders (referred to as enablers), with the request to become patrons of the LCA to contribute financially to the operational expenses of the LCA, to influence their national branches and / or other business associates to become involved in the LCA National Chapters, and to be involved in international and/or national programmes, as per the LCA National Chapters' needs.
International Advisors	Three international advisors have been approached to advise the Council and Board from time to time regarding the three core focus areas of the LCA with inclusion of Biodiversity management the IUCN; Tourism and business development, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UN-WTO); Cultural heritage conservation, The Getty Conservation Institute (GCI).
Sponsors	Identified sponsors are being approached to support the LCA through sponsorships and/or contributions in kind. They could become members upon invitation of the Board.

LCA NATIONAL CHAPTERS 

National LCA Chapters are established in each member country. To achieve this, the LCA Board influences the National Conservation Authorities, as well as national business leaders and interested parties, to work become strategic business partners.

The overall aim of the National LCA Chapter is to initiate country specific conservation-led socio-economic development.

BUSINESS AND POLITICAL SUPPORT

With the above in mind, it speaks for itself that the LCA is seeking both business and political support to assist in the national positioning of the LCA.

The support of credible and committed business leaders, who could significantly influence the conservation and development debate in Africa, is sought. In addition the business leaders could assist to position the conservation authorities in managing one the conservation assets in a commercial viable and sustainable manner.

From a political perspective the LCA takes hands with governments, determine the governmental objective for development and then work within a specific countries legislative environment to assist in making the conservation trade work for that particular country. The LCA also encourages collaboration between countries through tangible projects.