President David Granger today pledged his continued commitment to the Iwokrama International Centre, which is marking 21 years since it was created through an Act of Parliament.
During his first visit to the Centre’s High Street, Kingston, Georgetown head office, the President congratulated the staff for the work they are doing with minimal resources. He declared that Iwokrama is central to the government’s vision of creating a “green” state and as such he would continue to support the work of the Centre.
“This President is completely committed (to Iwokrama),” reaffirmed Dane Gobin, Chief Executive Officer of Iwokrama.
Engaging children as part of the anniversary celebration.
He said that apart from his visit to the head office, President David Granger has made two visits to the Iwokrama forest, located in the heart of Guyana, since he was elected to office two years ago. Gobin noted that President Granger is the only President to have spent a night in the Iwokrama forest.
To celebrate the 21st anniversary, the Iwokrama Centre decided to focus on capacity building for young students with special circumstances, giving them an opportunity to have an appreciation for the environment.
“You know if you talk about climate change to the younger ones they can actually change behaviours; they grow up being more responsible, using less fuel, littering less and so on,” he stated. Students attached to the Joshua House took part in various interactive sessions, during which they composed poems, made animal figurines using play dough, and were quizzed on various subjects.
The Iwokrama forest, measuring one million acres, was pledged to the nations of the Commonwealth back in 1989 by then President Desmond Hoyte to be used “in a manner that will lead to lasting ecological, economic and social benefits to the people of Guyana and the world in general.”
As a result of President Hoyte’s pledge, legislation which enjoyed bi-partisan support in the National Assembly, was passed in 1996 to govern the use of the forest, and the Iwokrama International Centre was set up to oversee the experiment.