incef

Cynthia Moses, Executive Director of INCEF
Your Excellency,
The first time we met was in 1998 in Mboko in Odzala National Park. I was shooting the first film documentary about Odzala.   I remember what you told me that day: "Madame, I see that you have a lot of passion for what you do. " In fact, I loved my work as a filmmaker. But today, I am delighted to be back in Congo, where my  work has taken a different turn – now it is the Congolese I work with who show that same passion.

They are here with us today as we sign this important document, they are responsible for the work that INCEF does and they are the ones who travel from village to village on foot. This year alone, they have reached more than 70,000 people. My passion now comes, Mr. Minister, from the pleasure and dignity they give the INCEF mission. I pledge to work hand in hand with your Ministry and with the INCEF Congolese staff to insure the future of biodiversity for your country. Thank you very much.

Henri DJOMBO, Minister of Forest Economy, Republic of Congo
Madam, as you pointed out, we met in 1998, and I know that you continued to visit our country. You returned several times, and worked in very difficult conditions -- months and years in the forest to promote biodiversity through films about Congo. You're right. I was very touched to see your passion for your work. But in fact, the management of biodiversity will always induce a certain passion to those who understand the responsibility. And it is sometimes said that people who work in conservation seem to love animals more than humans. And the same goes for our forests.

This is very good. But today, humanity is concerned with the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity. Your efforts prove that kind of commitment.  The efforts and commitment you have made, in fact, justify perfectly these concerns.

I am not surprised to discover that you are an invaluable collaborator for us. We are pleased that you have changed your approach and that you now manifest your passion by working to raise awareness and build capacity for environmental education on issues of biodiversity. We need to make more and more people aware of all the issues of conservation, the need to exploit this biodiversity responsibly to meet the needs of development, and to provide for the future, the preservation of our resources for future generations. We believe that the work INCEF does is valuable for all humanity, for the entire Congolese population, and the Congolese Government through our collaboration.  We are grateful and encourage you to persevere in your mission. I know your team has produced many documentaries to raise national awareness, but also that your work is critical toward educating our population on a grassroots level toward understanding the management of wildlife and forests to make everyone aware of their personal responsibilities in the management of our ecosystems.

You know that in order to survive, people burn whole tracts of forest and savannas.  They reap poor crops whose value is not a thousandth of what humanity has lost through this practice. But how can they understand if they do not know the scope of this issue. If do not ask questions or educate people about the detrimental results of these practices and if we do not guide their actions towards environmentally sustainable activities that are economically viable so that they can improve their living conditions? We therefore share the struggle of life. We have therefore in our common struggle to bring our population information on good management practices for our environment.

Count on the Government of Congo to work hand in hand with INCEF.   Together we can create here and there, everywhere, learning centers for outreach and education about the environment.   We will work with all sectors of society, with everyone.  We will all combine our efforts, all get our hands dirty, to help achieve the goals we have set here.