Wilderness Namibia has showcased its community development and conservation initiative organised in collaboration with Children in the Wilderness.

It aims to highlight the importance of education, empowerment and environmental protection across the country.

Speaking at the Wilderness Namibia engagement, the Minister of Gender Equality and Child Welfare, Emma Kantema, highlighted the alignment between the company's community initiatives and the government's seven priority areas.

Kantema said priorities include agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, quality education, creative industries, decent housing and access to quality healthcare.

The minister stated that tourism is among the critical economic enablers identified by the government, particularly in advancing natural resource beneficiation and creating opportunities for local communities.

She further commended Wilderness Namibia for its contribution to community empowerment through education, conservation and skills development.

“This is where Wilderness is making a significant impact, not only through tourism but also by enabling local communities to benefit from the resources and opportunities they need.”

The Head of Wilderness Impact Group, Vincent Shacks, has outlined the group's three strategic pillars, namely empower, educate and protect.

Shacks further explained that the organisation is targeting to double the amount of land it helps to protect by 2030 as part of its efforts to strengthen conservation, community development and education across the region where it operates.

He stated that this approach is designed to address the root causes of challenges facing conservation areas while ensuring that local communities benefit.

"Our vision is to double that amount of land by 2030. Many of us in the conservation field have seen how approaches to conservation have changed over the years.”