Richard Hackman Email & Phone Number

Canada

The Minamata Convention is a global legally binding instrument with the objective to protect the human health and the environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds. My role is to support the Secretariat and Parties to the Convention, in globally wide engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLC) that are dependent on and impacted by Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining and the use of mercury. The 5th COP specifically called for effective engagement and participation of IPLC in the development and implementation of national action plans. This is being done through development of a "IPLC Guidance Document" to be applied by Parties in their national consultations processes.

Laos/Canada

World Bank funded Lao Landscapes and Livelihoods Project. Ensure overall environmental safguards project compliance Environmental and Social Framework, Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF). Integrating ES compliance reporting into overall arrangements for project monitoring compliance of nature based tourism infrastructure, forest and land zoning, road access and small scale irrigation.

Laos/Canada

The purpose of this research is to better understand the effects of REDD+ and land based carbon projects are having on indigenous peoples and local communities access to land in Lao PDR. The research is investigating how climate change programs and carbon projects are impacting land tenure rights in Laos and to increase the understanding of the interrelation between climate change and land rights. It will further advocacy actions within the LIWG network.

Laos

Mid-term Review of the "Public Information and Awareness Services for Vulnerable Communities Project" (PIASVC) – funded by the World Bank (WB) through the Japanese Social Development Fund (JSDF) and co-financed by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC). The MTR will assess progress towards improved public access to information on natural resource rights, by providing awareness raising and enhanced legal counseling services to poor and most vulnerable communities. The MTR will evaluate the expected increased ability of local paralegals to deliver legal counseling to help communities prepare and address challenges and livelihood impacts stemming from large scale natural resource-based investments.

Canada/Laos

The Asia Foundation, supported by USAID, is working with the Lao Bar Association, local Non-profit Associations and the Ministry of Justice at reforming the legal sector. The Gender and Social Inclusion Analysis (GSIA) and Gender and Inclusive Development Action Plan (GIDAP) are critical for ensuring that gender and social inclusion are incorporated into legal aid work. The main goal of the work is to ensure a highly relevant and usable GSIA and GIDAP with findings that directly support actionable recommendations leading to transformation and inclusive changes in the Lao legal sector.

Southeast Asia

Part of the GEF-8 Critical Forest Biome Integrated Program for Indo-Malaya Project Preparatory Grant (PPG) phase preparation team.Baseline assessments focusing on the region (Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam).- Primary forests of the Indo-Malayan biome, focusing on status, connectivity, key threats, as well as drivers of loss and degradation.- Gender-specific bundle of rights approach the range of customary and formal land tenure andgovernance arrangements under which primary forests are used.- Identify specific gaps in policy, governance, management, production pattern (as exerted by large extractive industries), capacity, gender, technology, financing, knowledge, monitoring related to maintaining primary forests across the region.- Based on the above baseline assessments, propose project activity plans for start of project implementation, to deliver a full-fledged diagnostic assessment of primary forests, (incl. assessment of legal framework, drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, incl. trade in deforestation-risk commodities, etc.).

Canada/Laos

Via Aruna Technology Co., a feasibility study for the Foresight Feasibility (FF) early deforestation warning system using AI to predict and prevent deforestation. Previously piloted in Indonesia and Gabon, some of the task included in the team's work:Validation of the “Forest Foresight Screening Tool”.Preparation of the FF Pilot Phase Project Plan for Laos.A comprehensive analysis of legislation and measures in addressing forest loss in Laos and policy gaps.Stakeholder analysis on organizations involved in deforestation and sustainable forest management.Assessment of linkages between existing and proposed forest monitoring tools in the region and FF.Review WWF-Laos’ forest and landscape strategy for convergence with Forest Foresight.Assessment on potential alliances with local communities and civil-society and participation in FF piloting.Assess, summarize, and collect the available (geo-spatial) datasets needed to implement FF in the region.

Laos

Design and implementation of desk study and field research to identify factors and barriers affecting ethnic minority groups access to local public services in Lao PDR. Reporting and recommendation to UN Country and Regional Offices and Ministry of Home Affairs.

Laos - Canada

Land Information Working Group: Land rights lens" evidence-based critical analysis of two 'periodic submission reports' by the GoL to UN Committees: 1) Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and 2) the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Presentation to UN bodies and committees on recommendations for engagement with GoL on legal reform to meet the obligation of the international laws.

Laos

Securing Customary Tenure in Lao PDR Technical Assistance” (Forest Carbon Partnership Facility TA) in cooperation with the Department of Land, Ministry of Natural Resource and the Environment, Lao PDR. A comprehensive assessment of existing customary land tenure systems, women's land rights, kinship systems and land use and forest management arrangements. Detailed recommendations for strengthened recognition and formalization of customary tenure especially of indigenous people and local communities applicable to the National REDD+ Program.

Laos

Center for Development and Environment (CDE).Natural Resource Thematic Lead and Program Strategic Adviser. Forest and cover dynamics caused by commercial investments in land and an inventory of commercial tree plantations. Monitoring progress of the National REDD+ program related to LULC change, benefit sharing and NDC progress. Organize and host science – policy dialogues between government and development partners aimed at integrating research results into policy and legislative reforms. Co-design of "Sustainable Land Management and Investments for Climate-Resilient Livelihoods". Design of a gender and ethnically sensitive land governance program. Stakeholder analysis (smallholder farmers, private sector land-based investments, local and international civil society, government, development partners) and establishing program Phase 1 (2023-2026) geographic scope, defining beneficiaries and benefit sharing and program integration with Laos’ National Determined Contributions and National Adaption Plan.

Laos

A member of the Laos Department of Forestry established “Task Force for the Development of Sustainable Plantation Sector in Laos”. Tasked to review existing safeguards and analyzing the impacts (gender, employment benefits, access to land, smallholder engagement, village participation and legal rights, customary land tenure and land acquisition, displacement of shifting cultivation) of expanding private sector commercial tree plantations into National Production Forest Areas.

Laos

Lead a team (Lao Microfinance Association and WWF) to assess readiness and capacity of villages in and around the Xesap National Protected Area (Salavan and Xekong Provinces) to manage Village Development Funds with the goal of increasing household incomes based on sustainable forest livelihoods and to minimize impacts on biodiversity. Specific assessment of women's livelihoods in support of protected area benefit sharing analysis and design. Authorship of a WWF trans-boundary (Laos and Vietnam) Free, Prior and Informed Consent guideline.

Laos

Land Management Project Preparation Study funded by KfW Germany for the Laos Ministry ofNatural Resources and the Environment, Department of Land. Lead the socioeconomicand safeguards sub-team to research the potential effects of landtitling on community livelihoods, women’s land rights, poverty reduction andeconomic dynamics, social dynamics of exclusion and rural development.Establish “Environmental and Social Baseline and Analysis”, design projectESMF and contribute to overall project design for the (2023 -2026) KfW landtitling project.

Laos

Integrated Conservation of Biodiversity and Forests Project funded by KfW Germany. ICBF within the Department of Forestry focuses on maintaining biodiversity in 2 biodiversity conservation landscapes that include National Protected Areas (Namha, Namkan and Hin Namno), Protection Forests and Conservation Corridors. Tasks include: participatory design and authorship of guidelines and training of government staff related to: village level benefit sharing mechanism and delivery, FPIC process, livelihoods development, micro-finance assessment, land use planning, forest restoration models and village conservation activities and agreements. Linking village forest conservation to performance-based payments. Coordination with forest related private sector actors and identifying sustainable financing options for protected area management. Design support to reduce illegal hunting (village patrols and snare collection) and wildlife trade (educational campaigns and law enforcement).

Laos

As part of the ADB Greater Mekong Subregion Biodiversity Conservation Corridors Project and in cooperation with the Department of Forestry, provide overall guidance and leadership in the planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting activities under the cooperative watershed management program following a payment for environmental services (PES) approach. Advise on sustainable financing, village level benefit sharing, management organisations and implementation processes in the forested watershed areas. Work with government, private sector partners and villages on identifying village forest areas suitable for piloting PES models. Lead start-up consultations with stakeholders (villages, government, companies, etc.).Payment for Environmental Services

Laos

Support the National University of Laos Faculty of Forest Science to conduct a national FLR needs assessment using Restoring Opportunity Assessment Manual methodology, village consultations to rank and define forest restoration options and local benefits, gender impact assessment, village level planting of defined zones, provide training to district government on FLR concepts. National level meetings on FLR progress and outcomes.

Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand

Support to regional (Laos, Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia) local civil society groups and indigenous and local communities on participation and benefit sharing in the European Union Forest Law Enforcement Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Voluntary Partnership Agreement stakeholder process. Design and organizing capacity building on natural resource governance, VPA technical working groups and coordination with EU delegations, European Forestry Institute, governments and donors.

Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar And Thailand

Mekong Regional Land Governance Project, . Inception Phase design, oversight of National Land Governance Facilitators in each country, analysis of natural resource legislation, designing beneficiary framework, regional reform actor/stakeholder mapping and analysis (government, private sector, CSO), creating and coordination of regional platforms and alliances.

Laos

Climate Protection through Avoided Deforestation Project (CliPAD). “FPIC Principles and REDD+ Local People Level Engagement” research and design gender inclusive and ethnically sensitive community level consultation and grievance mechanisms in the forestry sector, determine the status of communal land management and land titling in project areas (Xayabouly and Houpanh Provinces) and promote Lao non-profit association involvement in CliPAD. Design and project management of a Free Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) process piloted in the Nam Phui National Protected Area (Xayabouly) and writing Laos FPIC Guidelines. Overall social safeguards compliance, beneficiary design and local civil society and Department of Forestry staff training on safeguards and climate change.

Laos

Co-designer and management of projects: ‘Khammouane Province Law Dissemination for Rural Communities’ and ‘Khammouane Rural Communities Land Project’. Focus on Participatory Land Use Planning (PLUP), women’s access to land, communal land titling, legal awareness of communities, agriculture activities and impacts of economic land concessions.

Laos

Programme Management for a grassroots NGO working in the areas of community forestry establishment, protected area co-management, agriculture, mentoring indigenous peoples management of NGO, formal and informal education, gender equality and women’s participation, provision of clean water, law dissemination, fisheries, cultural preservation and participatory action research. Organisational fundraising, donor relations, fiscal management, monitoring and reporting and ensuring operational plans, policies and procedures were followed.

Laos

Country Coordinator of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives in Lao PDR – Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). Coordination of a US$400,000/year fund which supported 15-20 government and civil society rural development projects/year focusing on natural resource management and conservation, agriculture, gender equality, indigenous peoples, HIV/AIDS and clean water provision.

Micro-Credential, Climate Adaptation

Certificate, Forest Carbon Management

Certificate, Social Anthropology

Master'S Degree, Physical Geography

Bachelor'S Degree, Geography And Ecology