A case of benign neglect

Participation and review process

were contacted individually to obtain information on the availability of databases, assessments and research data sets. Many of these academics in turn canvassed their network of colleagues. In addition, several partners and experts participated in the stakeholders’ working meeting in Arendal, where the methodology and design of the gap analysis were refined, verified and approved. 8 During four days of debate, participants not only helped

The study draws on advice and support from ongoing discussions within a large community of academics, pastoralists, government officials and other experts, including the international members of the International Rangeland Congress, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the International Support Group for the IYRP.

8. Those invited to the working meeting represented a broad variety of geographies, organizations and expertise. Individuals who attended the meeting were those who responded to the invitation. Most covered their own costs, but representatives from pastoralist organizations received financial support. Some people that signed up for the meeting did not attend due to issues obtaining a Norwegian visa. Participants represented the following institutions (in alphabetical order): the Association for AgriCulture and Ecology (Agrecol)/Coalition of European Lobbies for Eastern African Pastoralism (CELEP), the Eastern and Southern Africa Pastoralist Network, the European Shepherds Network (Italy), GRID- Arendal, the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (Norway), the International Livestock Research Institute (IRLI), the International Rangeland Congress/Coventry University, the Environment and Development Association – JASIL (Mongolia), Princeton University, Red Pastoramérica (Peru), the Soil Conservation Service of Iceland/ United Nations University Land Restoration Training Programme, UN Environment and theYolda Initiative. The questionnaire drew responses from 58 people, including stakeholders such as pastoralists, researchers and development experts. While general observations can be made from the survey respondents’ input, the number of respondent was not enough to determine any regional conclusions. The conclusions and recommendations of this gap analysis are based primarily on its findings but have also been enriched by the opinions of workshop participants, survey respondents, peer reviewers and Advisory Committee members. establish the scope and system boundary of the study, but also recorded critical issues and urgent concerns where the perceived lack of information and data was acute. The study team has built upon insight gained from this working meeting as a way to counteract some of the resource limitations it faced.

A total of 48 eminent academics from around the world who are researching pastoralism and rangelands

Stakeholders at Arendal meeting clarifying scope of the study. Kathrine I. Johnsen/GRID-Arendal

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