Inclusive Conservation In Conflict Settings : A Case Study Of World Wildlife Fund Cameroon

Sammanfattning

The study investigates how inclusive conservation is operationalized and framed within conflict-affected settings, with a focus on the World Wildlife Fund in Cameroon. While conservation has traditionally justified its importance through the protection of ecosystems, biodiversity, and the generation of environmental and socioeconomic benefits, it has faced criticism for its exclusionary, top-down approaches that negatively impact local communities and indigenous peoples. In response, inclusive conservation seeks to address these injustices by incorporating plural worldviews and respecting indigenous rights through participatory processes. Employing semi-structured interviews and document analysis, and drawing on Steven Lukes’ three dimensions of power, the study examines how various power dynamics shape the practical implementation of inclusive conservation in conflict settings. The results show that while inclusive conservation has the potential to foster participation and help mitigate conflict, its effectiveness is constrained by persistent power asymmetries and institutional limitations, highlighting the multifaceted dynamics between inclusivity and power relations in contested contexts.