Press Release 12 October 2004

Iwokrama Hosts Course for Caribbean Regional Environmental Project Managers in New Conference Facility

Iwokrama Forest, Guyana - On 9th October 2004 Iwokrama International Centre welcomed representatives from the Caribbean Regional Environment Programme (CREP) to the Iwokrama Forest. Project Managers from thirteen countries are in Guyana for an Induction Course from October 9-20, 2004. The course is being conducted in the newly constructed training and meeting room in the Fred Allicock Training Centre of the Iwokrama Forest Field Station.

The session was opened on 9th October 2004 by Iwokrama's Director General, Graham Watkins, Ph.D., and Ms. Simone Mangal, Technical Officer responsible for CREP. The community-based project management component is being led by Vanda Radzik, who previously served as Community Development Advisor for Iwokrama. Other facilitators include David Singh, Ph.D., Director of Resource Management and Training for Iwokrama, Ms. Leanne Harrison, Focal Point Coordinator at CREP, and Ms. Afira Approo, a University of West Indies intern with CREP.

The first half of the course is on practical methods for working together with stakeholders. During the course, participants will benefit from lessons learned through Iwokrama's partnerships with its frontline stakeholders - the communities of the North Rupununi District. The second half of the course will focus on operating systems and procedures for implementing the CREP.

From 1995, Iwokrama and the local communities have worked together to build collaborative management systems for the Iwokrama Forest and surrounding ecosystem. A milestone achievement has been the establishment of the community-based North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB). The NRDDB, a forum for village leaders, women and young people from the local communities has, since 1996, established small enterprises and conducted detailed biological and social research. This is a national and international model for local community development.

The Iwokrama International Centre is the only functioning protected area in Guyana and has been identified as a critical institution for training for the Guyana Protected Areas System. Iwokrama enjoys an excellent relationship with local communities, and is internationally recognised for involvement of local communities in management and decision making. It uses the principle of collaborative management, which recognises the shared responsibilities, rights and rewards related to the management and sustainable use of the rain forest. Iwokrama was selected through a competitive bidding process because of its comparative advantage in this area.

According to Simone Mangal, CREP Technical Officer, "The lessons learned at Iwokrama are of tremendous value to rest of the Caribbean region. Through this opportunity, CREP Project Managers will be able to learn about the practical aspects of working with local communities, and importantly, to do so first-hand through testimonials from community representatives. This is an excellent opportunity for [the participants] to understand issues of a continental nature, see a functioning protected area, and build relationships that are the foundations of regional integration."

CREP is a €9.1 Million Programme funded by the European Union (EU) and authorised by CARIFORUM, the CARICOM entity that deals with trade and aid with Europe. CREP arose out of the recognition that that communities and policy makers in the Caribbean region are not sufficiently alarmed about the rate of the degradation of the environment and how this impairs future development opportunities for the region. The Programme aims to build awareness and develop skills to incorporate environmental and local community participation into policy making. The Project Managers are responsible for projects, which are intended to demonstrate that communities can make a living by protecting their resources and that local people, NGOs, governments and the private sector can work together to achieve this. Ultimately, CREP seeks to demonstrate an alternative development model that places ecology, social cohesiveness and culture in the forefront of considerations in the determination of economic growth.

The CREP - Iwokrama partnership is therefore very fitting. Dr. Watkins said, "Iwokrama welcomes this partnership as it speaks to the crux of why Iwokrama was established - to generate and share lessons on how to use resources for national development without destroying them."

Dr. David Singh is very pleased to launch the new conference facility, for "it offers yet another opportunity for Iwokrama to showcase its work and offers a beautiful setting with excellent facilities for hosting educational, scientific, and other training sessions and meetings." Constructed in September 2004, the new conference facility is air-conditioned, wired for digital equipment such as computers and LCD projectors, and can accommodate up to 20 persons. It is available to local, regional and international groups for conferences, retreats and other events, as are all the accommodations at the Field Station. Interested parties should contact Iwokrama at 225-1504 for booking information, and may refer to the Iwokrama web site for information on event facilities, accommodations, and other details (http://www.iwokrama.org/ecotours/).

(Note to Editor: Photos of new facility are available by contacting Iwokrama.)