In observance of World Science Day for Peace and Development, Iwokrama was presented with a cheque for $62 million from US oil giant ExxonMobil.
Held under the theme, “Science for Global Understanding” with its key aim being combining global sustainability and local action, World Science Day is designated to emphasise the importance of science in society and also to engage the public in discussions revolving around science.
According to Iwokrama Centre Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dane Gobin, Iwokrama has scored a lot of firsts for Guyana and has provided leadership on global understanding of sustainability development in the context of social, economic and environmental viability.
Gobin further noted that in the last 21 years Iwokrama has taken a ‘peoples sample’ approach on the wise use of the forest, has come up with methods that could be used without losing the forests and has partnered closely with the local communities in the North Rupununi.
“Iwokrama is a multi-faceted organisation which is engaged in capacity building to monitor sustainable tourism in Guyana and is certified internationally in timber and harvesting operations,” Gobin noted.
A short video clip was shown to the audience on the role Iwokrama plays in “green development”, and it was explained by Andrew Mitchell, founder director of the Global Canopy Programme.
Meanwhile, Public Infrastructure Minister David Patterson thanked the oil company for the donation towards the development of Guyana’s rainforests and to science in the whole.
