WASHINGTON—The World Resources Institute (WRI) and Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI) will host a launch event for the new report, Securing Rights, Combating Climate Change: How Strengthening Community Forest Rights Mitigates Climate Change, on July 24, 2014 in Washington, DC.

The event will feature leading global experts on climate change and community rights. As we build momentum this year to address the global climate challenge, this launch event will offer a fresh perspective for how strengthening rights of local and indigenous communities can be an exceptionally powerful tool for climate action and forest protection. Armed with the report’s results, practitioners and policy makers should be convinced that safeguarding forest rights is a key method for reducing carbon emissions like REDD+ and renewable energy.

The media event is being held at NPR’s headquarters in Washington DC, and will include time for journalists to speak with leaders from government, civil society, and indigenous rights groups about the implications the report’s findings and international climate negotiations.

WHAT

Launch of report Securing Rights, Combating Climate Change: How Strengthening Community Forest Rights Mitigates Climate Change, including expert presentations, panel discussions, and a networking breakfast.

TIME AND LOCATION

Thursday, July 24, 2014 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. ET --- Presentations begin at 9:30 a.m.

NPR Headquarters, Studio 1

1111 North Capitol Street NE

Washington, DC 20002

A live webcast of the event will be streamed at 9:30 a.m. ET on the event webpage.

AGENDA AND SPEAKERS

8:30 a.m. Networking Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Featured Speakers (Live webcast begins)

10:00 a.m. Expert Reflections

  • Luiz Carlos Joels, Former Director, Brazilian Forest Service
  • Vicky Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
  • Caleb Stevens, Property Rights Specialist and report author, WRI

10:15 a.m. Q&A with Media

10:30 a.m. Discussion with Global Experts

  • Daysi Zapata Fasabi, Vice President, Interethnic Development Association for the Peruvian Amazon
  • Jenny Springer, Director of Global Programs, Rights and Resources Initiative
  • Andrew Steer, President & CEO, WRI (Moderator)
  • Additional expert panelist being confirmed

RSVP required to press@wri.org

For questions or to set up interviews, please contact: Rhys Gerholdt, WRI; Tel. 202-341-1323, rgerholdt@wri.org