DREFF raises awareness and promotes environmental stewardship

In celebration of World Environment Day, and as part of its mission to raise awareness and deepen the understanding of environmental issues, the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), a GFDD/FUNGLODE initiative, successfully carried out a series of events between June 6th and 9th.

The activities, which took place at the Universidad APEC (UNAPEC) in Santo Domingo, the Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University
(PUCMM) in Santiago and at the National School of Forestry (ENSAFOR) in Jarabacoa, provided ample opportunities for students, teachers and the general public to participate in screenings, workshops and seminars, a contribution of two of GFDD and FUNGLODE initiatives: the ReCrearte and EcoHuertos programs.

A total of 9 activities were organized around the theme “Raise your voice, Not the sea level,” including the 6
screenings of the following environmental documentaries: 1) ¿What Would Darwin Think? Man vs. Nature in the Galapagos; 2)With Our Backs to the Sea; 3) Planet Ocean; 4) Garbage or Resource? A Dominican Republic Experience; and 5) A Thirsty World. More than 150 students from the Liceo Científico in La Vega,
UNAPEC and PUCMM were able to attend the screenings. In PUCMM the screening of A Thirsty World was accompanied by a panel discussion on the water crisis, where professors highlighted the rates of fresh water depletion and the impacts expected as a result of climate change.

In addition to the screenings, two supplementary ReCrearte workshops were imparted as part of UNAPEC’s Environment Week, with the participation of over 100
students and teachers from diverse fields such as Tourism, Marketing, Advertising, Business Administration, Graphic Design and International Business, among others.

The workshops were comprised of a recycled art exhibit by plastic artist and program coordinator, Bertha Santana, and included a motivational lecture as well as the manufacturing of handbags out of recycled jeans. The workshops served to not only raise awareness on sustainable waste management practices, but
promoted an appreciation of this new art form that helps reduce the burden on landfill sites and the environment.

GFDD and FUNGLODE also participated in Fiesta con la Naturaleza, and activity organized by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources in Jarabacoa in celebration of World Environment Day. The activities included several film screenings, as well as a presentation of the foundation’s environmental programs.
Cristiana Cruz Minier, who was in attendance, presented the objectives and achievements of the EcoHuertos Program, which was extremely well received by the audience.

About the Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival
The fourth installment of the DR Environmental Film Festival will take place between September 10 and 14, 2014. This initiative aims to raise awareness and drive a deeper understanding of environmental
issues among Dominican audiences, while simultaneously celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage.

By screening a diverse selection of high quality films that deal with pressing issues, and by organizing discussion panels with environmental experts, filmmakers and other stakeholders, the Festival seeks to promote dialogue and inspire Dominican viewers to adopt practices that will ensure the country’s environmental
sustainability and health.

By bringing together young people, scholars, experts, activists, filmmakers, representatives from the public and private sector, non-governmental organizations, as well as wide audiences from all walks of life, the Festival promotes programs and projects that contribute to environmental protection, conservation and sustainability.

Links:
http://www.unep.org/spanish/wed/
www.dreff.org
www.r3crearte.org
www.eco-huertos.org