![Engaging People Icon](https://rhinos.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Community-Eng-Icon-150x150_.png)
ENGAGING PEOPLE
Engaging People is one of IRF’s Pillars. The focal areas described below enable us to move closer to accomplishing our mission.
Connecting People for Conservation Action
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To conserve the remaining five rhino species, IRF fosters an appreciation for these charismatic mammals and their habitats in audiences around the world, and connects diverse stakeholders in order to broaden and deepen the base of support for rhino conservation efforts. We promote the role of rhinos as umbrella species whose conservation in the wild benefits numerous other species, indigenous communities and entire ecosystems. IRF and our partners bring people together in common cause, increasing knowledge and changing attitudes and behaviors for the survival of rhinos. We are a trusted voice for rhino conservation and we use our voice to increase support and resources for rhino conservation.
Community Development
There is increasing pressure on rhinos and their habitats as poaching syndicates seek economic gains from their horns and growing human populations threaten their range. By partnering with local people to create opportunities to supplement livelihoods and services for communities who live alongside rhinos, and by building local awareness of the rationale for rhino conservation, we aim to strengthen positive socio-economic relationships between people and rhinos and maximize incentives for communities to support anti-poaching efforts.
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Capacity Building
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To ensure that rhino conservation will be as effective and sustainable as possible, IRF shares knowledge, skills, experience and resources across staff, local communities, rhino NGOs, organizations and government staff. We support and implement technical training, foster leadership skills, share expertise, aid organizations to build a culture of purpose among staff and cultivate local support with surrounding rhino range communities to empower the next generation of local rhino leaders and maximize collaboration among the world’s rhino conservation professionals.
Advocacy to Support & Encourage Government Action
IRF seeks to ensure that issues impacting rhino conservation are visible to lawmakers and others creating wildlife and related policy. As a global rhino advocate, IRF collaborates and partners with governments and other stakeholders to promote a science-based conservation agenda and help guide policies and targeted legislation to create an effective legal and policy framework for rhino conservation.
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Organizational Health and Effectiveness
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Maintain The International Rhino Foundation’s administrative, governance and financial robustness in order to unite around our shared vision and maximize results. More than 95% of our funds go directly to on-the-ground rhino conservation programs in Africa and Asia.
BLOGS HOW IRF IS CONNECTING PEOPLE
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EMPOWERING CONSERVATION THROUGH EARLY EDUCATION
September 28, 2023
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INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF RHINO CONSERVATIONISTS
July 24, 2023
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HOW RHINO FOOD CAN MAKE ART
June 22, 2023