ABSTRACT
It was a hot and muggy day in November 2005. I stood in the terminal of Kigali Airport, Rwanda, my energy frayed. Seven days of intense intergovernmental discussions in Kenya had taken a toll. The organisation I worked for had boldly and optimistically reached for recognition of nongovernmental organisation (NGO) work in conserving wildlife. Our case had been months in careful preparation and I had rolled up my sleeves for the contest.
