DREFF and Dominican Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Work Together to Promote Social-Economic Development

The Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF) and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources of the Dominican Republic signed a collaboration agreement with the aim of promoting sustainable social-economic development and environmental awareness in the Dominican Republic. Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), and Bautista Rojas Gómez, Environment and Natural Resources Minister, signed the
agreement, the goals of which include promoting a culture that encourages the proper management and use of natural resources in Dominican society.

Both institutions, according to the agreement, understand the importance of being catalysts for developing projects and programs that promote best practices in the area of environment and sustainable development. Programs and projects in these areas are the “fruit of interaction between young people and the general public with
professors, experts, activists, filmmakers and leaders in public, private, national, and international sectors.”

According to the agreement, both parties will foster a culture that promotes the proper management and use of natural resources in Dominican society as well as elevate awareness of sustainable social-economic development in the country. This will be done while promoting the exchange of experiences, research, diffusion of knowledge, and environmental sensitivity
in general in those areas wherein both have obvious interests.

Ms. Despotovic explained that the GFDD understands that in order to contribute to sustainable development in the country, it is of fundamental importance to join efforts and establish relationships between organizations and related initiatives,  “as the Foundation has been doing for the past 12 years.”

The agreement states that the Ministry will collaborate with activities undertaken by
DREFF, held every September around the entire country. The Environment Ministry, among other things, will facilitate experts who will enrich the Festival’s panel discussion and workshops, which are part of the DREFF Festival.

In addition, the Environment Ministry will promote DREFF-related environmental programs held throughout the year, such as ReCrearte, EcoHuertos, Premio Globo Verde Dominicano, RDescubre, and the Environmental Film Screening program. DREFF, for its
part, will support the diffusion of activities and programs planned by the Ministry with a view to raising environmental awareness and education throughout the country.

About DREFF
Since its inception in 2011, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD), provides the Dominican audiences a platform for knowledge and debate on the environment and sustainable
development, their issues and best practices, while celebrating the beauty and unique wealth of the Dominican nature.

Through the screening of a diverse selection of the best films that deal with issues of major national and international relevance, and the organization of discussion panels, courses, seminars, and field visits, DREFF not only promotes dialogue but also inspires the Dominican public to take action to ensure the health and sustainability of the
environment.

Partnering with some of the most important institutions in the field, including the Green Film Network (GFN), every September, during each of its editions, DREFF organizes over 80 free screenings in 14 cities and nearly 30 venues throughout the Dominican Republic.

In keeping with the commitment of GFDD to contribute to the sustainable development of the Dominican Republic
and of the world in a concrete way by creating practical platforms for the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, DREFF has developed five programs that operate throughout the year and work closely with the community: ReCrearte, EcoHuertos, RDescubre, the Globo
Verde Dominicano Award, and the Year-Round Environmental Film Screenings program.

Related links:
http://www.dreff.org/ http.ambiente.gob.do/