Iwokrama Researchers Programme

The Iwokrama Researchers Programme continues to provide opportunities for persons to contribute to national and international sustainable forest management. The programme promotes and assists in the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of its components, and does not cause damage to biodiversity.

The Researchers Programme also promotes a greater understanding of the problems, challenges and opportunities relating to the conservation and development of tropical rain forests. Over the years, the Centre has had the opportunity and privilege of collaborating with more than thirty (30) researchers.

In the first quarter of the Year 2006, Iwokrama had the privilege of hosting Researcher Dr. Pierre-Michel Forget (France) from March 25 to March 30, 2006. Dr. Forget is currently researching the (“Diversity of tree species and quality of Non-Timber Forest Product (Crabwood oil) in South America”)with a research team comprising of Mr. David Kenfack (MO, US) and Odile Poncy (MNHN, F). The project proposed to identify different species of crabwood (Carapa spp.) as well as any other new species of trees that may occur in Guyana. In addition to his research, Dr. Forget has collaborated with the French National Television Channel - France 5/ARTE to develop a film on the Crabwood Oil process and which would be titled “People, Trees and Medicine”. The film would be recorded within the Iwokrama Forest, Fair View Village and the Waini, Region 1.

In March 2006, the Iwokrama International Centre had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and a Collaborative Research Agreement (CRA) with the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The relationship would allow for a broad range of collaboration covering the natural and social sciences, including studying the impact of Iwokrama on the health and wellbeing of people of the North Rupununi Communities. Research in this field has already been ongoing since 2001. The agreement highlights the research opportunities provided by Iwokrama for the benefit of academic institutions.

Iwokrama also continues to work in close collaboration with the local communities living around the forest and requires their participation in decision-making on issues that affect their land, resource management strategies, and knowledge. In the case of research outside of the forest, researcher-community relationships are designed to protect local communities’ rights over their intellectual property and traditional resources, and promote benefit sharing and the achievement of sustainable use objectives relevant to the community.