Invitation to IYRP-WBRG Events | 21 & 30 May

[Hasrat Arjjumend]

Dear Friend(s),

Greetings! Wishes for your sound health and security.

You may be aware of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) adopted by the UN General Assembly on the proposal of the Government of Mongolia. Aligning with the IYRP Call, a group of Field Partners, and The Grassroots Institute (TGI) Canada and Western Balkans proposed the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) to take place in 6 countries of the region. About 12 different Zonal Gatherings will take place between 19 April and 10 December 2026. The next two events are on 21 May and 30 May, respectively. Please see the tentative dates for May, July, October, November, and December events on the website https://minoritymap.org/rg/.

We are glad to share with you the announcement/news for 2 forthcoming important events. All the recipients of these announcements/news are requested to forward/disseminate it to friends, colleagues, students, etc., through emailing, social media channels, websites, and e-newsletters or e-bulletins. 

We look forward to receiving your cooperation.

Sincerely,

Dr. Hasrat Arjjumend
Chief Facilitator, WBRG


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We INVITE you to join

IYRP–WBRG Launch Webinar: Pastoralists and Pastoralism at Crossroads

Date: 21 May 2026 | Time: 14.00 Hours - 17.00 Hours (Central European Summer Time) 
Zoom Link: Visit the weblink https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/ and Register well in advance 

Certificate: All the participants will receive a FREE CERTIFICATE of Attendance

The year 2026 has been declared the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026 https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026/en, recognizing the global importance of pastoral systems for food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. In the Western Balkans, pastoralism is deeply rooted in transhumance traditions and mountain ecosystems, yet it faces increasing socio-economic and environmental pressures. The IYRP–WBRG Launch Webinar is a platform to start regional conversations and mobilize stakeholders ahead of the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG).

Further information can be accessed at: https://tgi-wb.eu/rgweb/ | https://minoritymap.org/

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We INVITE you to join

IYRP–Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists [Elbasan Zonal Gathering-1 at Librazhd]

Date: 30 May 2026 | Time: 10.00 Hours (Albania Time) 

Location: Librazhd, Albania

The Western Balkans Regional Gathering – Elbasan Zone [Albania], to be held in Librazhd on 30 May 2026, is part of the broader initiative of the IYRP - Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) being organized to align the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) https://www.fao.org/rangelands-pastoralists-2026 and www.iyrp.info. These gatherings are designed as localized platforms that bring together shepherds, ethnic communities, shepherd leaders, civil society actors, veterinary services, municipalities, vocational colleges, academics, and other stakeholders to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences, and strengthen community-driven advocacy on the rights of pastoralists. The Elbasan Zonal Gathering will focus on region-specific challenges and opportunities, particularly those affecting access to grazing lands, livestock mobility, herders’ livelihoods, ecological sustainability, and social inclusion within Albania’s central region. Set in the mountainous and culturally rich municipality of Librazhd — known for its proximity to natural landscapes and diverse rural communities — the gathering will foster dialogue on participatory development and resilience-building. Through interactive discussions, storytelling, and collaborative planning, participants will contribute to shaping collective strategies aligned with the broader goals of the Regional Gathering process. The participants will sign and pass the Western Balkans Declaration of Pastoralists to highlight their voices for their rights and concerns. The event also aims to amplify shepherd people’s voices and feed local insights into wider regional and global conversations on pastoralism, minority rights, and sustainable development. ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE. For further information, please contact Dr. Kristaq Skenderi, Tel: +355 2061739, Email: kristaqs....@yahoo.com. Read more here: https://minoritymap.org/rg/librazhd 

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PARTNERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ORGANIZATIONS TO JOIN IYRP-WBRG

The IYRP Western Balkans Regional Gathering (WBRG) is a strategic platform in all 6 Western Balkans countries that brings together pastoralists, grassroots organizations, researchers, veterinary services, municipalities, and other stakeholders to collectively address the urgent challenges facing shepherd communities — ranging from land rights and livestock mobility to market marginalization and climate stress. By fostering peer learning, strengthening regional alliances, and amplifying pastoral voices, WBRG aims to generate actionable policy recommendations, build advocacy capacity, and position pastoralism at the center of sustainable development agendas, while preserving cultural heritage and enabling inclusive, community-driven change. If an International Organization or Institution is willing to be a PARTNER or SUPPORTER, please read the website www.minoritymap.org and read the Invitation Letter. Accordingly, please contact me at harjj...@gmail.com. 

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DR. HASRAT ARJJUMEND, Postdoc, PhD, MPhil, MSc, MA, PGDip Env Law, LLB, MBA 

President, The Grassroots Institute | Canada / Ukraine / Western Balkans
www.grassrootsinstitute.net | www.grassrootsinstitute.ca | www.tgi.org.ua  | www.tgi-wb.eu
Founder, TGI Versity | Canada/India : www.tgiversity.org

Chief (Executive) Editor, Grassroots Journals : www.grassrootsjournals.org

Chief Facilitator, IYRP's WB Regional Gathering : www.minoritymap.org/rg

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LinkedIn | ResearchGate | Academia.edu | Google Scholar | ORCID 

Semantic Scholar  | WOS Researcher ID| SCI Profile| SSRN| RePec   

[Hasrat Arjjumend]

Dear Friend(s),

Greetings! Wishes for your sound health and security.

You may be aware of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) adopted by the UN General Assembly on the proposal of the Government of Mongolia. Aligning with the IYRP Call by Global Alliance for Rangelands and Pastoralists, a group of Field Partners, and The Grassroots Institute (TGI) Canada and Western Balkans proposed the Western Balkans Regional Gathering of Pastoralists (WBRG) to take place in 6 countries of the region. About 12 different Zonal Gatherings will take place between 19 April and 10 December 2026. The next two events are on 21 May and 30 May, respectively. Please see the tentative dates for May, July, October, November, and December events on the website https://minoritymap.org/rg/.