Grassroots September 2016, Vol. 16, No. 3 | Page 12

News The science of using research: why it starts with the policymaker Barbara Hutchinson S University of Arizona-Global Rangelands Initiative [email protected] ince the SRM Meeting in February, Jim O’Rourke (International Rangelands Congress), Lovina, and I have been working to gain an understanding of the process for gaining a UN designation for an International Year of Rangelands. This has involved extensive email discussions with people representing a variety of organizations around the world. What we discovered is quite complex. A Government, or a coalition of Governments, must take the lead on an International Year designation request to the General Assembly, and this needs to be pursued through the political channels of the UN. To facilitate this process, Governments can first discuss the idea during international for a, such as the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA). Typically, Governments will follow up by discussing the idea in other subsequent for a with UN agencies (i.e. UNEP, FAO, UNDP, and IFAD) who assist in this process. Since UNEA is an officially delegated Assembly of the General Assembly, it too can submit a recommendation through its President for an International Year, as can any other UN agency. In late May, UNEA will hold its second meeting, UNEA-2, in Nairobi Kenya. UNEP and its partners (FAO, IFAD, ILRI, IUCN and WAMIP, WISP), and, in particular, the Pastoralist Knowledge Hub (FAO) have successfully competed to have a dedicated Side Event at UNEA- Grassroots 2 on Sustainable Pastoralism. The Pastoralist Hub was also set to pursue an IY designation. This meeting is very important to gain high level buy-in by other countries, UN agencies, and other stakeholders to promote pastoralism as a key UNEP priority area. We are working now to identify attendees who could make brief statements during the “open discussion” session in support of a proposal for a combined International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2020. In addition, we have contacted the President of UNEA requesting her to include pastoralism and rangelands in her opening remarks. We have also prepared an “open flyer” calling for support of an IY designation that will be distributed at the meeting along with RP “ranching stories” demonstrating sustainable management practices. Assisting in identifying potential presenters for the Side Event are Jess Peterson and Kelly Fogerty at SRM. They are contacting key officials at USDA and other US agencies to brief them on our plans and to ask for their engagement and support. There is a greater likelihood of success with strong backing from the U.S. To this end, if you have contacts in U.S. agencies who would might help with this effort, please feel free to share this update or contact me for further information. September 2016 Vol No. 3