Interfaith Rainforest Initiative Planning DRC Conference

Interfaith Rainforest Initiative in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is moving ahead with planning for a national conference, which will advance strategies and advocacy across religious leadership and faith-based organizations to actions that protect forests, as well as a contribution note to the President to formalize a commitment to protecting forests as part of the new administration. Commissions have been set up to produce the program of work. The IRI DRC national conference will be a major step towards raising awareness and building the capacity of religious leaders, and to obtaining their commitment to accompany the national government in the protection of forests and the improvement of the living conditions of local communities and indigenous peoples.

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In order to obtain the involvement of civil society organizations, the private sector, and state services, IRI DRC organized three working sessions in February with a team of 10 people and with the goal was of developing Terms of Reference for an IRI DRC national conference, which will advance strategies and advocacy across religious leadership and faith-based organizations to actions that protect forests, as well as a contribution note to six commitments of the Head of State. Commissions have been set up to produce the program of work. The IRI DRC national conference will be a major step towards raising awareness and building the capacity of religious leaders, and to obtain their commitment to accompany the national government in the protection of forests and the improvement of the living conditions of local communities and indigenous peoples dependent on forests.