Agenda

Jérôme Duberry is a research associate and academic supervisor for the ARP – Environment track at the Centre for International Environmental Studies (CIES). 
 
In his doctoral thesis, he examined how digital technologies contributed to the participation of civil society organizations in a global multi-stakeholder process. He demonstrated that, under specific conditions, digital technologies could contribute to increasing participation and consensus-building.
 
In his book « Global Environmental Governance in the Information Age: Civil Society Organizations and Digital Media » published in 2019, Jérôme explored how digital technologies, including blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI), are used by civil society organizations to advance nature conservation and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). His current research activities focus on issues related to the tech-intensification of nature conservation. 
 
At the Institute, Jérôme teaches courses on "Digital Innovation in Nature Conservation" and “Digital Diplomacy and Power Relations on Cyberspace” (MINT). He is also a research associate at the Albert Hirschman Center on Democracy, where he explores how AI impacts inclusive policymaking and the citizen-government relation. Jérôme Duberry is a trained foresight and design thinking facilitator.

The purpose of the Birds of Prey Programme at the Endangered Wildlife Trust is to ensure that birds of prey populations thrive across southern Africa.

They are committed to protecting southern Africa’s threatened birds of prey and the vital spaces they depend on. Through  monitoring, applied research, and hands-on conservation of birds of prey, the Endangered Wildlife Trust help maintain and preserve the irreplaceable ecosystem services the birds provide and safeguard their habitats that support a diversity of wildlife and people.

Ms. Zeng Ming is the Project Manager of TECH4ALL Digital Inclusion Programme Office at Huawei. She’s responsible for the partnership development and project management in the environment domain of the TECH4ALL initiative. Before joining Huawei, She’s worked for WWF/ASC/Qingdao Marine Conservation Society for more than 10 years.

A native South African, Dimitri has spent his time across 14 of the continent’s beautiful countries, spurring him to become an environmental community technologist by day, and a wildlife ranger at heart. Prior to founding Baotree, Dimitri spent eight years in the marketing technology sector in London specialising in big data, AI and deep machine learning for global brands.  It was during a 7-month Africa expedition in 2019 that Dimitri decided to infuse his love for technology and wildlife by creating Baotree. In his free time, Dimitri sits on YPO’s Planet Action Network executive Committee and is an active member of the YNG Community.

Ben Nyberg is a GIS and Drone specialist working on plant conservation in Hawaii. His recent interests include applications of drone technology to assess endangered cliff species, remotely collect plant material and disperse native seeds for restoration. 

Mr Che Gilbert Ayunwi received a Diploma in electrical maintenance and installation, and Diploma in Animal protection, computer software, forest conservation, conventional knowledge on animal health and community development. He has been working on animal welfare since 2010. In 2012, nominated international representative of OIPA International -Cameroon. He has coordinated many projects on forest and wildlife conservation, humane, and environmental education, research, vaccination and treatment of animals, training and awareness-raising on animal welfare in more than 25 communities in 3 regions in Cameroon. He founded OIPA Cameroon in 2012 and was nominated world animal day ambassador for Cameroon for in 2019. Mr Che Gilbert Ayunwi has received over 5 national awards for contributing to the improvement of animal welfare and environmental protection in Cameroon, and he has participated in many national and international conferences and training on animal welfare and environmental protection.

As a political scientist by trade, Katja is no stranger to non-governmental organisations and their importance in a functioning society. She is the brain behind OCN and works mainly behind the screen. She keeps OCN organised, active and visible. The primary objective of the OCN is to help entangled seals and other marine animals along the Namibian coast. Through observation, direct action, exposure and education, OCN hopes to motivate individuals all over the world to change their own behaviour towards a sustainable future. In 2020 and 2021, Naude and his team rescued over 1200 seals from entanglement. 

Ms. Vanessa Gray is the Head of the Division for Environment and Emergency Telecommunications within the ITU's Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT). Ms Gray coordinates the Telecommunication Development Bureau's work in the area of Emergency Telecommunications, to develop ICT projects and provide assistance for disaster preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery. This includes the development of national emergency telecommunication plans, the deployment of emergency telecommunication equipment to countries hit by disasters, and regional and national capacity building exercises for disaster management. She is also responsible for the organization of the Global Forum on Emergency Telecommunication (GET) and specific ICT for disaster management tools and publications, for example in the area of disruptive technologies, gender, and ICT drills. 
In the area of the environment, Ms Gray coordinates the BDT's work on developing e-waste policies and monitoring the amount of electronic waste, in particular through the publication of the Global and Regional E-waste Monitors. Her role is to build public-private partnerships, develop projects and strengthen the role of the BDT in terms of e-waste coordination, for example with the E-waste Coalition, the Global E-waste Statistics Partnership, and with the private sector.