WASHINGTON, D.C. | January 10, 2019 — The International Network for Environmental Enforcement and Compliance (INECE) and National Whistleblower Center (NWC) have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish a framework for cooperation, develop joint endeavors, and exchange information with regards to addressing the relationship between environmental crime, economic growth, and national security.
The INECE, formed in 1989, is a partnership of government and non-government enforcement and compliance practitioners representing over 150 countries. INECE’s goals are to raise awareness about environmental compliance and enforcement; develop networks for enforcement cooperation; and strengthen capacity to implement and enforce environmental requirements.
NWC is a non-profit, non-partisan legal advocacy organization based in Washington, D.C. that has been fighting for whistleblower rights since 1988. Its Global Wildlife Whistleblower Program aims to leverage powerful U.S. legal tools to incentivize whistleblowers around the globe to step forward with information on wildlife crime.
Through their partnership, the INECE and NWC aim to improve their ability to combat wildlife trafficking around the globe.
Dr. Xiao Recio-Blanco, Managing Director of INECE, stated: “INECE’s role of facilitating active international cooperation between environmental protection stakeholders is reinforced today thanks to this partnership with the NWC. NWC plays a unique role in contributing to strengthen environmental rule of law in the U.S. in and abroad. We are happy to welcome the NWC center to the INECE family.”
Stephen M. Kohn, Co-President of NWC, stated: “Cooperation between whistleblower advocates and highly-respected, effective international NGOs like the INECE is an essential ingredient for successful environmental law enforcement.”
Scott A. Hajost, Managing Director of NWC’s Global Wildlife Whistleblower Program stated: “NWC is excited to join and partner with INECE in promoting application of US whistleblower laws as significant enforcement tools in the fight to end international wildlife trafficking.”
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About NWC
Founded in 1988, National Whistleblower Center (NWC) is a non-profit, non-partisan legal advocacy organization that fights for whistleblower rights and protections in the U.S. and around the globe. Its Global Wildlife Whistleblower Program, which was a Grand Prize Winner of the 2016 Wildlife Crime Tech Challenge initiative led by USAID, aims to leverage whistleblower reward laws to combat wildlife trafficking.
