Hello!

Thank you for sharing this valuable work, it's fantastic to see F&F push the general conversation into structured guidelines. Given the current focus among many IPLCs regarding data/tech sovereignty, accelerated by the increased prevalence of AI in every corner of society, I have the following comment:

To build on your second principle regarding localizing data influence, a powerful next step we are seeing in the field is the requested transition from ethical guidelines to structural data governance—specifically through Indigenous Data Sovereignty (IDS) via cooperative frameworks. While internal principles ensure NGOs act responsibly, helping IPLCs establish their own independent systems transforms them from 'consulted participants' into the actual legal owners and decision-makers of their digital environments. A major pain point is the feeling of being "powerless", and a desire for self determination. 

For example, initiatives like Abalobi and PescaData have successfully used data cooperative models to empower smallholder fishing communities, giving them agency over their data while simultaneously achieving marine conservation outcomes. Furthermore, when IPLCs collectively govern their data, they can leverage it to create sustainable, independent funding streams for their communities, reducing reliance on external NGO/Government grant cycles.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on how NGOs can move beyond securing consent towards actively helping IPLCs build and own their own data infrastructure, a vital necessity for many to approve technology within their spaces in today's rapidly changing landscape.

Hi Macayle! My assumption is that this is an in-person only event...yes? If there is an option to join remotely or listen in, please do follow up and share with our Community! I would personally love to attend, and I am sure many others would as well! And if there may be any content that is publicized post the event, please do share that as well. :) Sounds like a fantastic initiative -- thank you for sharing! Cheers!

Hello Macayle

It is of great pleasure that there is this opportunity coming to East Africa. I would like to attend this. Do you have any recommendation for funding  a student to attend such a forum? I will share this opportunity with our East Africa WhatsApp group too.

My name is Frank Short and I am a PhD Candidate at Boston University in Biological Anthropology. I am currently doing fieldwork in Indonesia using machine-learning powered passive acoustic monitoring focusing on wild Bornean orangutans (and other primates). I am reaching out because as a student with a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, I am eligible to take advantage of the NSF INTERN program which supports students to engage in non-academic internships through covering a stipend and other expenses, with the only caveat being that the internship must be in-person and not remote. I was wondering if any organizations in conservation technology would be interested in a full-time intern that would be coming in with their own funding? 

In addition to experience with machine learning and acoustics through training a convolutional neural network for my research, I also have worked with GIS, remote sensing, and animal movement data through other projects. Further, I have experience in community outreach both in and outside of academic settings, as I previously worked for the Essex County Department of Parks and Recreation in New Jersey for 3 years where I created interpretive signs, exhibits, newsletters, brochures, and social media posts. Now while doing my fieldwork in Indonesia, I have led hands-on trainings in passive acoustic monitoring placement and analysis as well as given talks and presentations at local high schools and universities. 

I would love to be able to use this opportunity (while the funding still exists, which is uncertain moving forward due to the current political climate in the US) to exercise and develop my skills at a non-academic institution in the conservation technology sphere! If anyone has any suggestions or is part of an organization that would be interested in having me as an intern, please contact me here or via my email: [email protected] geometry dash. Thank you!

Hi Frank, your work sounds incredibly valuable and well-aligned with current needs in conservation tech. With your strong background in machine learning, acoustics, GIS, and outreach, you’d be an asset to many organizations. I’d recommend looking into groups like Rainforest Connection, Wildlife Acoustics, or the Conservation Tech Directory (by WILDLABS)—they often work on acoustic monitoring and might be open to in-person internships, especially with funding already in place. Best of luck finding the right match—your initiative is impressive!

Wow, thanks for sharing @Nycticebus_scientia. Would love to read further papers on these topics if folks have them!  

All sound, would be nice if there were only 5, though!