First DREFF Volunteer Meeting Held in Santo Domingo

Organizers of the III DR Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), an initiative of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and its sister institution in the Dominican Republic, Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE), held its first meeting with volunteers who wish to help out at this year’s Festival, to be held September 4-8, 2013.

Yamile Eusebio, Director of the GFDD office in New York, delineated the tasks and
responsibilities to the aspiring volunteers in addition to the schedule, objectives and outreach of this cinematic and educational initiative.

Ms. Eusebio affirmed that to be a DREFF volunteer is a unique experience that will enable those involved to meet other volunteers and to interact with the DREFF work team, film producers, sponsors, members of the Festival and many other interesting people.

Volunteers
must be 18 years of age or over, and will be selected on the basis of availability and competency in the given area.

This third edition of the Festival will screen more than twenty national and international documentary films in Santo Domingo, San Francisco de Macorís, Santiago, Punta Cana, Baní, San Juan de la Maguana, Puerto Plata and Sosúa.

All of the film screenings, panel discussions, workshops and training sessions are open to the public and free
of charge. In addition, this international film and environmental event will feature awareness raising activities at all eight of the screening venues.

Since 2011, the DREFF has worked to raise awareness and deepen understanding of environmental issues among Dominican audiences, while celebrating the beauty and diversity of the Dominican Republic’s natural heritage. In addition, the Festival provides information and proposals that contribute to the appreciation,
conservation and sustainable use of the planet.

With the screening of a diverse selection of high quality films on issues of environmental concern, and by bringing together young people, scholars, experts, activists, filmmakers, representatives of the public, private and non-governmental institutions and the general public, the Festival promotes programs and projects that contribute to environmental protection, conservation and sustainability.

The main
thematic areas of the Festival are: Ocean conservation, Biodiversity, Green Economy, Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change.

The Festival offers a variety of possibilities for participants to interact with leading figures in the environmental community as well as opportunities to collaborate in national and international programs that are making a positive impact in the world.