incef

April 28, 2008 marks the beginning of a collaboration between the Ministry of Communication in Charge of Relations with Parliament, represented by Minister Alain Akouala Atipault, and the International Conservation and Education Fund, represented by Executive Director Cynthia Moses.

The ceremony to recognize the collaborative agreement took place in the meeting room of the ministry in the presence of national radio and television officials.

In her remarks, Ms. Moses thanked the minister and the broadcast officials. She also expressed gratitude to the government and his Excellency, President Denis Sassou NGESSO, for their efforts to ensure wildlife conservation.

INCEF has worked in Congo for four years by producing documentary films for people living in the villages near the animal habitats with educational messages that get the people to consider changes to their behavior that will protect the health and well-being of both the animal and human populations. The films are designed for use in the villages and, with this agreement, they can also be used for broadcast on national television and radio.

INCEF has worked in Sangha, Cuvette and Likouala regions and plans to extend its work into the southern part of the country according to the minister. Ms. Moses concluded by saying that communication is a critical element that is often missing in conservation wildlife. That is why INCEF’s motto is “integrating conservation and health through communication.”

Minister Atipault reminded the audience of the great importance that President Denis Sassou NGESSO gives to the work of conservation. Congo is recognized worldwide as being one of the most important regions of wildlife biodiversity.

Conservation of the Congo Basin was formalized as an international objective at Johnnesburg in 2002 and Congo has been host to meetings of international leaders because of its centrality among all the countries that make up the Congo Basin.

Minister Atipault saluted the contributions of INCEF to help popularize environmental education and to help maintain the health of all species. He concluded by signing the protocol between the ministry and INCEF with Ms. Moses and indicating the government’s wishes for the development of an action plan that will perpetuate the agreement of the two parties.