IPED Lecture: “Wildlife Conservation and Indigenous Peoples Rights”

Sushil Raj, executive director of the Rights and Communities global program at the Wildlife Conservation Society, will discus his work at the intersection of wildlife conservation and indigenous peoples rights. WCS seeks to respect and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and amplify their voice in conservation policies, practices, and governance structures. In doing so WCS Global is traveling a necessary pathway to equitable, just, and durable conservation. WCS harnesses the power of New York’s four zoos and its aquarium and a global conservation program to protect wildlife and wild places.

Sushil previously served on a UN Human Rights Council special procedures mandate with the working group of experts on people of African descent, and also as an official with the United Nations department of political affairs, office of the UN High Commissioner for human rights, secretariat of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, and in philanthropy with the Ford Foundation, Asia Foundation, among other institutions. He serves on the board of the New York Peace Institute, a mediation organization, and is also a practicing mediator.

Raj has a BA in philosophy from St. Stephen’s College, University of Delhi; a postgraduate diploma in public international law from the Indian Academy of International Law and Diplomacy; an MA in international political economy and development from Fordham University; and an MSc in management of international public service organizations from the New York University Wagner School of Public Service.