Patrick KIPALU is coordinating and leading RRI’s engagement in Africa. Patrick has a strong background and interest in natural resources management and human rights in Africa. He has experience supporting civil society organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa, including on human rights, natural resources exploitation (lands, forests, and mines), and climate change. Prior to joining RRI, Patrick was the Country Manager for Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He also worked for the Africa Program at Bank Information Center (BIC), and for the Equity and Governance Program (EGP) at World Resources Institute (WRI). Patrick has a Master’s degree in Global Environmental Policy from the American University (AU) in Washington DC, and a bachelors’ degree in Environmental Sciences and Natural Resources Management from the University of Kinshasa in DRC. He speaks English, French, Lingala and Kikongo (Lingala and Kikongo are some of the local languages spoken in the Congo).