INTEC Climate Change Observatory trains in Collaborative Social Audit for biodiversity conservation

SANTO DOMINGO- The Climate Change and Resilience Observatory of the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (OCCR-INTEC), within the framework of the Global Alliance for Social Audit (GPSA) with the World Bank, trained 20 civil society representatives in Collaborative Social Audit for Biodiversity Conservation, a diploma that seeks to achieve an understanding of social responsibility, the environment and the conservation of selected protected areas, to increase their participation as conservation overseers.

The participating organizations will be able to use this knowledge as a method to improve their line of work "in order to cause social changes in the field of work and for the communities in their own empowerment, strengthening the conservation and protection of biodiversity throughout the country." ”, as indicated by representatives of the OCCR. 

Rosaura Pimentel, coordinator of the OCCR, explained the importance of coordinating the oversight work and the protection of biodiversity, as well as the training process of the Diploma as part of the equation. "Part of the objectives of the project is to create and strengthen capacities in this area because it is the first time that the Collaborative Social Audit is applied to biodiversity conservation in the country," he revealed.

Similarly, he announced the creation of the "Network of Collaborative Social Audit of Action and Community Development for the Conservation of Biodiversity” (RASCAD), which he affirmed will strengthen the oversight of the participants of the diploma course for the conservation of biodiversity at the national level. “How engaged the participants are with the issue, their communities, and we hope this can move forward,” she said.

The presentation of RASCAD was in charge of John Almonte, doctor in Social Psychology collaborator of the OCCR-INTEC which indicated that the purpose of the network is to strengthen community structures through educational processes and actions that promote Collaborative Social Audit tools for local oversight, protection and conservation of Key Biodiversity Areas. 

“Part of being a social psychologist is understanding that we are not alone in understanding what community work is. The empowerment that is given to us is to work in a network to unify the efforts of each one of us and work to create and empower the individualities of human beings, potentiate the work that is carried out for the well-being of the work processes of the organizations of civil society and the State”, said Dr. Almonte.

On behalf of the World Bank estuvo Natalia Magradze, environmental specialist, who thanked GPSA for concluding a process that he considered "as necessary, as is the learning of Collaborative Social Audit". He added: "Together we can secure biodiversity on our planet, caring for future generations."

Liliana Betancourt, representative of the Caribbean Natural Resources Institute (CANARI, for its acronym in English), presented the Fund for Partnerships for Critical Ecosystems (CEPF), and the available lines of subsidies. Manuel Hernández, OCCR-INTEC Project Manager, was also present, who spoke about the network and the next steps of the project. 

Likewise, Someira Zambrano, general coordinator of the Dominican Reef Network and a participant in the training, thanked the opportunity for the diploma on behalf of all the students.

“It is fair to say that all of us here have a deep commitment to the conservation of our natural resources, and we are aware that this will not be possible without transparent governance that guarantees that the needs and aspirations of local communities are met through sustainable, equitable, fair and above all participatory management”, he pointed out.

The act ended with the official delivery of the certificates to the students who completed the eight training modules, in which they learned about collaborative social responsibility, good governance, empowerment for the protection of biodiversity and protected areas, among other topics. .

La Global Alliance for Social Audit (GPSA) supports civil society and governments to collaborate in solving key governance problems in developing countries. To this end, it offers sustained strategic support to social audit initiatives of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) aimed at improving transparency and accountability.