We joined forces with Not1More (N1M) and Cambodian Youth Network, to create the 2018 Forest Defenders Conference with a regional focus on South East Asia. The 2018 conference was organized in response to the requests of the frontline defenders who attended the N1M’s 2017 conference in Oxford, and who wanted to build on the solidarity, energy, analysis, and relationships that developed at the first Forest Defenders Conference. One of the key objectives was to create a safe and stimulating environment for at-risk defenders to connect with funders, NGOs, inter-governmental agencies, public interest lawyers, security specialists, and particularly with each other. During the conference, over 90 defenders and allies worked together to develop the Environmental Defenders Declaration for South East Asia, offering concrete recommendations to governments, the private sector, UN, international finance institutions, and civil society to address the crisis of violence facing all who take action or resist evictions and dispossession of their lands, forests, seas and rivers.
