Professor Ida Theilade is the chairperson for IWGIA
Ida Theilade holds a Ph.D. in tropical botany from the University of Copenhagen and has worked on the management and conservation of tropical forests for the past 25 years. Her research examines what role of the local and indigenous peoples knowledge and institutions can play in managing natural resources, conserving tropical forests, and curbing climate change.
“I am proud to assume the role of IWGIA's Chairman of the Board. IWGIA is a central and respected organization that promotes, protects and defends the rights of indigenous peoples worldwide. I have often come across IWGIA and their work in my academic and development work around the world and am honored to be part of the organization's long tradition, ”said Ida Theilade.
Developed app for monitoring illegal logging
In 2018, Ida Theilade received the University of Copenhagen's Innovation Award for developing an app that enables communities to monitor and report illegal logging through their mobile phones. The app is developed in partnership with local and indigenous people, a local Cambodian IT company and local and international NGOs.
Through the initiative known as "It's Our Forest Too," Ida Theilade and partners have combined technology, social media and collective action and proven that communities can play a big role in environmental protection. She looks forward to continuing to support indigenous environmentalists who are at the forefront these days in defense of land, resources and human rights.
In addition, she explores the importance of tropical forests to locals and the world's climate. This expertise will contribute to IWGIA's core work focusing on climate action, land rights, human rights defenders and governance, which is at the heart of the indigenous peoples movement.
IWGIA is looking forward to strengthening its climate work with Ida Theilade at the helm.
Replacing Knud Vilby
Ida Theilade has taken over the chair from Knud Vilby, Danish journalist and development consultant, who joined the board in January 2015 and has served as chairman of the board for the past three years.
Together with the Board and in collaboration with the executive director, Knud Vilby set the strategic direction for the Board of Directors and IWGIA with the development of a new strategic vision for the organization since 2017.
"I would like to thank Knud Vilby for his dedication and vision in working for IWGIA, and I look forward to continuing IWGIA's mission," says Ida Theilade.
Knud Vilby continues as a member of the IWGIA Board of Directors.
At the same time, IWGIA welcomes two new members to the Board of Directors: Elsa Stamatopoulou and Rune Fjellheim. Elsa Stamatopoulou joins the Board of Directors as new Vice Chairman. She is the first director of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Program at the Department of Human Rights Studies at Columbia University, New York City. Rune Fjellheim is a Sami economist who since 2008 has served as director of the Sami Parliament in Norway.
This news is redirected by UCPH Global Development from Globalnyt.dk