The IRF World Ranger Congress brings together Rangers from all over the world, giving them the opportunity to learn new skills, share knowledge and create partnerships.

It occurs every three years in a different location, allowing host countries from each IRF region to raise the profile of Rangers locally and internationally. It allows them to showcase their successes, to identify how they’re addressing their regional challenges and share their knowledge and skills with colleagues from around the world.

Attending a congress like this is a once in a life time opportunity for many Rangers; meeting colleagues from around the world gives Rangers hope and boosts their morale. Often their jobs are located in remote and isolated areas where they don’t have a lot of contact with the world family of Rangers. They don’t often have the opportunity to exchange stories and learn from others that may be located half way across the world.

The World Ranger Congress is also a forum for the creation of recommendations on issues that affect Rangers and the work that they do on the front-line. Having these challenges come directly from Rangers makes the message more powerful; the recommendations are presented at conservation forums globally.

The 9th World Ranger Congress was held in Nepal in 2019. The Chitwan declaration made by the global ranger community in Nepal can be downloaded here.

For more information about the 10th World Ranger Congress, go to International Ranger Federation.

Photo and Text Credit: International Ranger Federation