The African Landscape Dialogue (ALD) will take place at the Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network’s Headquarters, inside Gullele Botanic Garden, Addis Ababa, from 6th – 10th March 2016. The event is expected to bring together more than 100 participants from various parts of the World to discuss integrated landscape management.

We have asked three landscape experts and practitioners from the Horn of Africa the expectations they have from ALD. They are: Mrs. Joyce Engoke (Kenyan), Dr. Azene Bekele (Ethiopian) and Dr. Tilahun Amede (Ethiopian). What are they looking forward to giving and receiving from ALD?

Mrs. Joyce Engoke, HoA-REC&N

Ms. Joyce Engoke 

“I expect to learn how other landscape initiatives have managed to achieve a balance between different competing resource uses. I want to understand the role of academic institutions coming out strongly in line with the evidence-based approach to ensure linkages between practices and policies. I would like to see improved networking with different organizations, projects, programmes and Integrated Landscape Management (ILM) initiatives and expand opportunities for sharing of knowledge, experiences and capacity building (globally, regionally and nationally). I want to learn new tools for designing successful ILM programmes /initiatives/ and projects, and to experience how opportunities and sharing of resources for the ILM initiatives as a ‘community of practice’ will be bringing unique experiences in this area. Furthermore, I would like to see the role of communities and civil society organizations involvement in productive engagement activities in landscape management activities in their localities in Africa.”

Read more on Mrs. Engoke’s experience and expertise

Dr. Azene Bekele, HoA-REC&N

Dr. Azene Bekele 

“It is a pity that we did not win the battle against our landscape degradation.  I hope this dialogue will bring better armaments. skills and technology packages by which better success will be scored. I hope the dialogue will create more voice for countries to come up with land care policy for reinforcing land use policy and plan of African Nations. I hope the dialogue will create a possibility for creating better recognition of governments in terms of budgetary allocation (proportional to the national budget) for African Landscape Restorations in its wide-scope. “

Read more on Dr. Bekele’s experience and expertise

Dr. Tilahun Amede 

Dr. Tilahun Amede, ICRISAT

“My expectation would be: We will assess the progress this global alliance has made not only in terms of generating and facilitating adoption of  technologies and best practices but also our contributions towards policy shift and investment in sustainable landscape management. It would also dwell on emerging challenges and potential remedies to enhance landscape health in Africa”

Read more on Dr. Amede’s experience and expertise