Pastoralist Events

We will update this regularly with events. Please send us details of your events via the contact page.

Borana and Gabra Peace Meeting 2 in Chalbi, Kenya

Date: 17th - 19th July 2009

Ethiopian and Kenyan pastoralists and government administrators agreed to extend the peace accords made between the Dillo (Ethiopia) and Dukana (Kenya) communities all along the Kenya/Ethiopia border in early June at a gathering held in Dukana. They also made plans for a second gathering. This second gathering will extend and cement the accords between the Borana and the Gabra by including community leaders and representatives and government officials from Sololo, Walda, Rawan and Uran in Moyale District, Kenya in the process in addition to those who attended the Dukana gathering from Ethiopia and Kenya. At the request of the Dukana gathering, local MPs and larger numbers of women and youth herders will be invited to attend.

This gathering will be held at the Gamura Wells near Maikona in a purpose built tented camp. It is expected that around 250 people will attend. Participants will include Ethiopian and Kenyan pastoralists, senior and local government officials and MPs from both countries. The Hon. Mohamed Elmi, State Minister for the Development of Northern Kenya and other Arid Lands will also attend. The gathering will discuss how to further build, extend and consolidate the peace between the Gabra and Borana communities on both sides of the Ethiopia/Kenya border. It is hoped that this will include the extension of the Dukana-Dillo accords around free movement of livestock across the border, as agreed between the two countries at the Dukana Gathering as a way of consolodiating peace.

University of the Bush

Date: 23rd - 26th March 2009

Over 50 pastoralists from Ethiopia and Kenya will attend two back-to-back seminars in the Gujji rangelands of Ethiopia. The first seminar will focus on Mobility and Land Tenure Systems and will be led by Prof Katherine Homewood from University College London. Prof Ian Scoones of the Institute of Development Studies, UK will lead the second seminar looking at pastoralist innovation. The event is being organised in Ethiopia by the Oromia Pastoralists Association in collaboration with Kenya's Pastoralist Shade Initiative. Go to our news page for a report of the event and to download the transcriptions of the seminars.

Announcements

DFID DGPP launches new study into pastoralist livelihoods

31st March 2009

The "Securing a Living" study will look at the ways in which stronger livelihoods are being achieved in the lowlands of Ethiopia. It aims to deepen understandings of how a variety of different pastoralist people speak and negotiate with their leaders, the state and other institutions with a view to protecting and strengthening their livelihoods. Results from the research will be published and disseminated in July 2009. Read the concept summary.