Dear Friends,

I wish to take this opportunity to thank our worldwide community of supporters for their commitment and enthusiasm over this past year. It is a direct result of your strength of commitment that the Iwokrama concept continues to stand as a beacon for sustainable development in Guyana and the world. Together we have constructed a foundation on which we can build the dream of sustainable businesses that are environmentally friendly, socially responsible, and economically viable. In no small measure must we recognise the contribution and role of the people of the local communities and other stakeholders who form the basis of Iwokrama's people-centred approach to sustainable development.

I consider that the Iwokrama of the future will be an institution that is characterised by two major programmes, while incubating and regulating sustainable business in the Iwokrama Forest. Iwokrama’s dual mandate of conservation and demonstration of sustainable utilisation of the rain forest will require a very strong and dynamic conservation, monitoring and evaluation programme, and an institutionalised training programme where the experiences from the business activities within the Iwokrama Forest are clearly defined, articulated, and transmitted to the wider society.

The immediate challenge before us however is the rapid development of businesses, through the aggressive implementation of a revised business plan that responds to the changing situation that presents itself. The agility with which we respond to these conditions will be an important benchmark in determining our success. Internally, we have developed very proactive policies, procedures, and reporting systems to guide Iwokrama’s staff in their efforts. We also will continue to put great emphasis on input from our donors and partners, the local communities, the people of Guyana, and the global conservation community. We still have a long way to go toward financial self-sufficiency, but with clarity of purpose and a focus on measurable outcomes, I believe we will achieve this goal.

We look forward to keeping you informed as to our progress over the course of this year via the quarterly newsletter, electronic news briefs and announcements to the media. Please also take the time to visit us at our web site, or better yet, pay us a visit in person if you can.

We of course welcome your questions, comments, and suggestions, so please don't hesitate to contact me or any of the Iwokrama staff.

Wishing you best regards,

David J. Singh, Ph.D.

Email: dsingh@iwokrama.org

>Read the brief bio for Dr. Singh.