WHO WE ARE

The seven international conservation organizations that make up the CIHR work in more than 120 countries around the world.

Collectively, we partner with thousands of individuals, indigenous peoples and local communities, national and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs), governments, businesses, universities and other actors.  We employ more than 22,300 people around the world, who work every day to improve human well-being and environmental sustainability. The scale of our potential impact on the conservation community is enormous, and this was one of the main drivers behind the formation of the CIHR.  

 
 
 

History

The CIHR was established in 2009 as a result of conversations between the CEOs of the member organizations, which at that time included Birdlife International, Conservation International, Fauna & Flora International, IUCN, The Nature Conservancy, Wetlands International, Wildlife Conservation Society, and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). They believed that by working collectively, we could better advance our work to promote the positive links between conservation and rights of people to secure their livelihoods, enjoy healthy and productive environments and live with dignity.

 
 
 

CIHR PRINCIPLES

AS ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING THE DESIGN AND IMPLEMENTATION OF CONSERVATION PROGRAMS, WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ADDRESS AND BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE SOCIAL EFFECTS OF OUR WORK.

To this end, according to individual governance structures and operating partnership models, CIHR members agreed upon a set of common principles that each organization committed to follow:

 

1

RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS 

Respect internationally proclaimed human rights and make sure that we do not contribute to infringements of human rights while pursuing our mission. 
 

2

PROMOTE HUMAN RIGHTS WITHIN CONSERVATION PROGRAMS

Support and promote the protection and realization of human rights within the scope of our conservation programs. 
 

3

PROTECT THE VULNERABLE 

Make special efforts to avoid harm to those who are vulnerable to infringements of their rights and to support the protection and fulfilment of their rights within the scope of our conservation programs.
 

4

ENCOURAGE GOOD GOVERNANCE 

Support the improvement of governance systems that can secure the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in the context of our work on conservation and sustainable natural resource use, including elements such as legal, policy and institutional frameworks, and procedures for equitable participation and accountability.
 

Along with these Guiding Principles, each organization is working to develop and implement rights-based approaches to conservation that takes into consideration their individual needs and realities. For more information about how each organization works, please visit the Members page. 

 
 
 

📷    Photo credits in order top to bottom: China - Conservation International (CI); Mali - Art Wolfe; Indonesia - CI Photo by Sterling Zumbrunn; Indonesia - CI Photo by Janny Rotinsulu; Liberia - CI Photo by Bailey Evans