Press Release 28 July 2005

Iwokrama Concluded Integrated Community Development Course for 35 participants from the Loma Linda University, USA.

Iwokrama Forest, Guyana – On July 1 st, 2005 Iwokrama International Centre concluded an Integrated Community Development Course for thirty-five students and professors from the Loma Linda University, USA at the Iwokrama Field Station. The Integrated Community Development Course is a part of the Loma Linda University’s Master’s Programme in Public and Environmental Health.

The course, which was held from June 26 th to July 1, 2005, was designed to provide the students with a first-hand experience on the Centre’s business development specifically as it relates to community involvement, traditional medicines and practices, institutional governance and ecological interpretation.

The session was opened on June 26 th, 2005 by Iwokrama’s Director General (Ag), Dr. David Singh, and Mr. Dane Gobin, Director of Finance & Operations. The community-development component was led by Vanda Radzik, who previously served as Community Development Advisor for Iwokrama. Other facilitators include Sydney Allicock, Board Trustee; Rodney Davis, NRDDB Executive Director; Eugene Isaacs, Chairman, NRDDB Board; Alphonso Forde, NRDDB Tourism Coordinator; and Iwokrama Trained Forest Rangers.

The course concluded with a field visit where participants observed at first hand the efforts of the North Rupununi communities in establishing sustainable businesses and building. Visits were paid to the Iwokrama Canopy Walkway which is managed by a local company – CATS, Aranaputa where a cultural show was prepared, and Bina Hill Institute, Annai which is the administrative centre for the North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB).

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 Field Station facility provides the unique opportunity for participants to be away from the normal distractions of the city, within comfortable surroundings, and enjoy the hospitality of people from the local communities. Provision of conference facilities and training services is a central part of Iwokrama’s Business Plan, as it provides the opportunity for Iwokrama to demonstrate its model of natural resource management, and extends Iwokrama’s revenue earning capacity.

The Iwokrama International Centre is the largest 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.