Pernilla Malmer

Malmer works in the policy-practice-science interface of biodiversity, resilience and human rights, connecting local to global scale with focus on what’s needed for the full implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Kunming – Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework up to 2030.

Malmer works at SwedBio, a Sida-funded programme for equitable development in harmony with nature at Stockholm Resilience Centre. Her work deals with international policy on biodiversity and human rights, and the full and effective participation of indigenous people and local communities, women and youth in biodiversity policy implementation as well as promotion and protection of traditional, indigenous and local knowledge, human rights and gender equality.

She is engaged in transdisciplinary research in a collaborative learning platform on meeting across knowledge systems based on equity and usefulness for all involved, with partner organizations in the Swedbio collaborative programme, and reserachers from SRC and elsewhere. This has resulted in the Multiple Evidence Based approach and methods for meetings across knowledge systems, which are practiced in the SwedBio dialogues.

Malmer is also engaged in the SwedBio Collaborative partner implementation pathway, supporting SwedBio partner organizations in their programmes for nurturing biodiversity and human rights on the ground and in policy, and learning from their work.

Malmer is an agronomist by training. In her early career she was working with rural development in the county government of Västerbotten in the north of Sweden, and as Executive Director of the farmers cooperative “Norrgrönt”. She was also the Secretary General of the Organic Farmers Association of Sweden. Her engagement in sustainable development and global justice took her to Costa Ricka and a position as project manager in a national NGO, supporting Indigenous Peoples, smallholder farmers and fisherfolks. She then spent several years in Nicaragua, with UNAG, the national farmers movement, at the Women´s Section in León. Back in Sweden, her international engagement continued as Communication Secretary in the launch of the Swedish Fair Trade Association. Later, she joined the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC) International Department, as International Secretary for agriculture and biodiversity and collaboration with organizations of smalloholder farmers and Indigenous peoples all over the world. In 2005, Malmer started her position at SwedBio, that time hosted the Swedish Biodiversity Centre. In 2011, SwedBio moved to SRC, and since then Malmer has been holding her present position as Senior adviser, leading SwedBio biocultural theme.

Malmer is engaged as expert for the Swedish Ministry of Climate and Enterprise in the negotiations of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). She is also part of the Advisory Committee of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net).

Malmer is a passionate gardener, seed-saver, mushroom-picker and shepherd. In her community, she is engaged in local organizations and networks for protecting and nurturing biocultural diversity and enjoying outdoor activities connecting nature and culture.