Cleveland, Ohio, United States
Elaine Hsiao is an interdisciplinary socio-legal scholar, specializing in transboundary conservation areas, conflict, and environmental peacebuilding. Her research integrates critical legal studies and political ecology with security, peace and conflict studies in the context of conservation. She has helped provide legal frameworks for transboundary parks for peace, developed a service-learning expedition in Parque Internacional La Amistad, co-directed/produced a documentary film for "Transcending Boundaries," consulted on cross-border protected areas publications and projects, and passed resolutions on the environment, peace and conflict at IUCN and WILD Congresses. She was a representative of the Small Island Developing State, the Union of Comoros, at the UNGA in climate change and environmental issues, and received a Fulbright to Uganda (2010-2011). Elaine/Lan Yin completed her PhD at the University of British Columbia's (UBC) Institute for Resources, Environment and Sustainability (IRES) and holds a JD and LLM in International Law and Environmental Law from Pace Law School, where she remains a Fellow, Specializing in Protected Areas at the Pace Global Center for Environmental Legal Studies (GCELS). Elaine currently chairs the IUCN CEESP Theme on Environment and Peace, under which she has led the establishment of a Task Force on Environmental Change and Migration.
The Theme on Environmental Peacebuilding, Security and Conflict Resolution focuses the integration of natural resource management in conflict prevention, mitigation, resolution, and recovery to build resilience in communities affected by conflict. The Theme is constituted on the understanding that building more effective environmental governance and policy can reduce conflict and ensure security from local to global levels. At the same time, reducing conflict and conflict potential as well as strengthening security underpins environmental sustainability. Areas of focus will be: Contributing to knowledge and understanding on environmental policies and action that reduces conflict and improves security Prevention, management and resolution of social conflict as a key requirement for conservation and management of ecosystems Supporting action that reduces conflict and strengthens security through collaborating with the IUCN secretariat, members and commissions and other partner organizations Supporting the establishment of inclusive multi-stakeholder platforms, including experts in conflict management and mitigation; bringing together scientific and local knowledge, aimed at addressing social conflicts around conservation, resource use and activities that damage environments and ecosystems