The World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples (WAMIP)

Dr. Rahimzadeh was involved with WAMIP, an international Non-Governmental Organization founded by and working on behalf of nomadic peoples around the world, from its inception at the 5th IUCN (World Conservation Union) World Parks Congress in Durban, South Africa in 2003, and served as the Executive Secretary of the organization for five years.

​With the help of IUCN Commission on Environmental Economic and Social Policy, she and her team assisted and arranged for the participation of about 30 representatives of mobile indigenous peoples from around the world at IUCN’s 5th World Parks Congress.

After a preparatory meeting, the participants presented a set of recommendations, 5.27 entitled “Mobile Indigenous Peoples and Protected Areas,” to the World Parks Congress.

She help build the organization, from capacity building of members, to projects and grants which advocated for mobile indigenous peoples globally. WAMIP also conducted participatory research with pastoralists on livelihoods, rights, and resource management strategies. The result of this work has been published in several IUCN CEESP Briefing Notes on Mobile Peoples and Conservation.

​She also helped coordinate capacity building workshops and events including WAMIP’s First General Meeting in Malaysia (2004), the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Thailand (2004), the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York (2006 and 2007), The World Gathering of Nomadic and Transhumant Pastoralists, and the First WAMIP Congress in Spain (2007).