

Dr. Vasanti Rao
for Chair – IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)
Weaving Connections. Fostering Belonging. Leading Together.
Welcome!
With deep respect and gratitude, I am putting myself forward for Chair of the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC).
For over three decades, I've dedicated my life to connecting people, sectors, and stories across geographies through impactful communication, inclusive education, and innovative partnerships. My vision is to empower communities to protect nature by fostering deep emotional, cultural, and social connections.


A New Chapter for Conservation
Today marks a pivotal moment in my conservation journey. On World Environment Day, I am honored to announce my candidacy for IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) Chair.
With over three decades of experience working across continents, from grassroots communities to global forums, I've seen firsthand how transformative nature-based education and effective conservation communication can ignite lasting environmental action.

Why Support Me
My belief is simple yet powerful:
"When people feel connected—emotionally, culturally, socially—to nature, they protect it."
As Chair, my goal is to:
Amplify diverse and underrepresented voices.
Strengthen collaborative action across regions and sectors.
Deepen a sense of belonging within the global CEC community.

Key Achievements & Engagements

Why Invest in My Vision?
My Vision for CEC
(2026–2030)
A clear five-point strategy to ensure collective impact:
Advance Nature-Based Education:
Scale successful nature-learning models globally, embedding them into key policy dialogues.
Grow the #NatureForAll Movement:
Engage youth, indigenous communities, and urban populations through immersive storytelling and innovative technologies.
Revitalize Conservation Communication:
Enhance messages through cultural narratives, indigenous knowledge, and behavioral insights, making them emotionally resonant and impactful.
Foster Cross-Pillar Collaboration:
Build stronger connections across IUCN Commissions, Members, and the Secretariat to achieve maximum collective impact.
Seed & Scale Action:
Launch an Innovation Fund to empower members' innovative projects and increase regional capacity and visibility.

Together, Let’s Create Impact
I envision a commission where every voice is heard, ideas transform into sustainable actions, and partnerships lead transformative change.
With your support & vote:
We have stronger connections.
Foster deeper
belonging.
Lead transformative action—together.