Iván Azurdia-Bravo   
•   
Guatemala City  
   

J. Luis Baños, Jr.   
•   
New Orleans  
   

Michael A. Caplin   
•   
Washington 
 
  

Gérard Chanu   
•   
Paris  
   

John A. Chater   
•   
Tegucigalpa   
   

Charles C. Chester   
•   
Boston 
 
  

Thomas A. Fee*   
•   
Freehold  
   

Daniel H. Janzen*   
•   
Guanacaste  
   

V. Thomas Lankford, Jr.*   
•   
Washington  
   

William E. Moomaw   
•   
Boston   
   

Anna-Louise Reysenbach   
•   
New Brunswick  
   

Preston T. Scott*   
•   
Washington  
   

Rolf Selrod   
•   
Oslo  
   

Lee M. Talbot*   
•   
Washington  
   

Michael C. Williams   
•   
Washington  
   

* These individuals also serve  
on WFED's Board of Directors 

WFED is organized under the District of Columbia Nonprofit Corporation Act, and is recognized as a charitable, educational and scientific organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3).  WFED does not provide grants or scholarships. 

There are two important facets to the work of WFED: 

(1) The consultative role played by WFED staff as facilitators in environmental conflicts worldwide relating to climate change, forest conservation and biological resource management 

(2) The public service function undertaken by the organization in its efforts to educate the public about the importance of the values at stake in environment and natural resource conflicts, and the need for promoting sound environmental stewardship, international equity and good global citizenship

Mission 

• To improve the international community’s ability to promote peaceful means of preventing and resolving environmental conflicts and disputes

• To improve public understanding about issues relating to conflict and the environment through innovative and creative participatory learning programs   

• To develop and make available accurate and relevant information resources on environmental conflicts, including case studies on practical experiences that result in cost-effective, consensus-based, and sustainable outcomes

• To provide conflict assessments and negotiation assistance to institutions, governments, corporations and communities worldwide that help address contentious environment and development issues of major public importance   

Approach 

Through applied research, education and training, and conflict management assistance, WFED’s activities and services offer constructive problem-solving alternatives to otherwise unresolved environmental disputes.  

Applied Research

WFED contributes to and supports on-going multi-disciplinary research on environmental conflict.  Research results are distributed to interested parties worldwide.   

Education & Training

WFED designs targeted educational initiatives and training workshops for students, professionals, and institutions internationally.  These programs allow participants to gain first-hand experience with on-going projects and pressing environment and development issues in the field.  WFED has undertaken workshops in Central America, Eastern Europe, East Africa and the Middle East, and the U.S. 

Conflict Analysis & Assessment

WFED offers conflict resolution and negotiation services to public and private institutions and other stakeholders in conflict.  Conflict management tools are tailored to meet the specific circumstances and information needs of each party.  WFED works with an international panel of advisors to bring relevant expertise and skills to each project. 

Focus Areas 

WFED’s on-going research activities were initially launched through a book entitled International Environmental Conflict Resolution: The Role of the United Nations in 1992.  This book focused substantively on international conflicts relating to river systems, coastal areas, forestry, biodiversity, land resources, and human migration and displacement triggered by environmental degradation.  Since 1992, WFED has contributed to efforts supporting and strengthening:   

• Negotiated benefits-sharing protocols relating to access and use of biological resources in the United States and abroad
• Cooperative international public-private partnerships supportive of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
• Negotiations on water conflicts in the Middle East
• Projects designed to strengthen the practice of environmental diplomacy through major international institutions such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

Organization 

WFED is managed by a Board of Directors and operated by program staff with diverse backgrounds and substantive expertise.  In addition, WFED relies on active input from its Advisory Board, which is comprised of individuals with recognized knowledge and experience in the fields of environmental science, government, diplomacy, industry, law and finance. 

Support 

WFED has received support from international organizations, governments, philanthropic organizations, corporations and interested individuals.  Recognized as a charitable, educational and scientific organization under IRC Section 501(c)(3), WFED pursues its work on a strictly non-partisan basis and is not affiliated with any advocacy or other special interest organizations.  Contributions to WFED are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.