Mangrove and Hydrological Events Capacity Building Workshops in Suriname Highlights Commitment to Sustainable Progress
In a landmark gathering that brought together influential leaders, government officials, and distinguished guests, Lybra Training, Coaching and Consulting N.V. successfully hosted the monumental Closing Ceremony to the Mangrove and Hydrological Events Capacity Building Program on September 6, 2023.
Organized by SERVIR-Amazonia and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), this initiative of this program aims to equip Surinamese representatives with the necessary skills and knowledge to contribute to the sustainable management of mangroves and hydrological events in the Caribbean region.
SERVIR-Amazonia is part of SERVIR Global, a joint development initiative of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Nineteen professionals from eight organizations in the public, private and academic sectors —including the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Spatial Planning and Environment, the Ministry of Public Works, the Center for Agricultural Research in Suriname, the Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control (SBB), the Amazon Conservation Team, the Green Heritage Suriname, and the Stichting Planbureau Suriname— were officially certified upon completing twelve training sessions designed in collaboration with the Spatial Informatics Group.
The closing ceremony spotlighted collaborative initiatives and innovative solutions in the field of hydrological events, climate change, land use and land cover and biodiversity, uniting visionaries in their shared commitment to sustainable progress.
U.S. Ambassador to Suriname Robert J. Faucher gave remarks praising the program and the hard work of the participants. “Suriname struggles with many climate change related hazards, geospatial information and the capability for data visualization play a vital role in both pre- and post-disaster management and response.”
Below is a short teaser of this session:
Event Highlights:
- Distinguished Dignitaries: The closing ceremony witnessed the esteemed presence of notable dignitaries, including the U.S. Ambassador, Robert J. Faucher, and dedicated representatives of USAID and SERVIR-AMAZONIA. Their participation underlined the significance of this gathering.
- Collaboration in Action: The event served as a platform for the presentation of groundbreaking projects and partnerships aimed at addressing critical issues in flooding, mangrove protection, forest change detection, and biodiversity monitoring. These initiatives hold the potential to redefine the landscape, aligning with a vision of sustainable development.
- Thoughtful Discourse: Thought-provoking panel discussions and workshops provided a forum for experts, policymakers, and attendees to exchange ideas, and actionable strategies. Topics ranged from utilizing vast amounts of satellite imagery from NASA and other space agencies to building practical solutions to gain insights, offering a blueprint for tackling complex challenges.
- Honoring Excellence: Servir-Amazonia and Lybra Training Coaching, and Consulting recognized exceptional individuals and organizations for their outstanding contributions to building dashboards, maps and apps such as Agriculture stakeholder monitoring, Precipitation Dashboard, Species Habitat Displacement WebApp, and Suriname Wetland Classification map. Additionally, the event witnessed renewed commitments to collaborative endeavors, solidifying the resolve to drive positive change.
The Capstone and Closing Ceremony epitomized Lybra’s commitment to advancing the accessibility of geo-data and the practical use of GIS in Suriname and the belief in the power of collaboration, innovation, and knowledge sharing. This event has laid the foundation for transformative action in our communities.
As the echoes of the Capacity Building Program continue to resonate, participants depart with a revitalized sense of purpose, armed with fresh insights and an expanded network to drive meaningful change.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the following individuals who have made this event not only remarkable but also truly memorable:
- Our sincere thanks to His Excellency, U.S. Ambassador Robert J. Faucher, whose valuable insights and unwavering support have propelled our collective mission towards environmental sustainability. His powerful and inspiring speech during this event has left an indelible mark.
- We extend our appreciation to Ria Jharap and Valenee Wasim from USAID Suriname, who have been present and fully engaged in this program from day one. They have been unwavering pillars of support, and their presence and collaboration have been invaluable.
- We express our gratitude to Vanesa Martin from the Amazonia Science Coordination Lead at SERVIR Science Coordination Office, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, for sharing invaluable insights with our program participants.
- A heartfelt thank you to Minister Marciano Dasai, the Minister of Spatial Planning of Suriname, for sharing his remarks, vision, and wholehearted support for our cause.
- Our appreciation extends to Natalia Uribe and Carlos Gasco from SERVIR Amazonia for placing their trust in the Lybra team to host and facilitate this program. We are truly grateful and eagerly anticipate future collaborations with you and your team.
- Special recognition goes to all the mentors and trainers of this program, including Natalia Uribe, Andrea Puzzi Nicolau, Luis Liscano Sandoval, Enikoe Bihari, and Krieshen Ramkhelawan. Your unwavering support, invaluable feedback, motivation, and guidance have profoundly impacted all the participants.
- Last but not least a special note of appreciation to the dedicated Lybra Team. Your tireless efforts, unwavering commitment have been the backbone of this program. You have taken care of all the participants throughout the entire program, ensuring a seamless and enriching experience for all.
Lybra extends its deep gratitude to all attendees, partners, and participants, whose contributions have been instrumental in making the Closing Ceremony an overwhelming success. Together, we are charting a course toward a brighter and more sustainable future in the utilization of Geospatial Technology in Suriname.
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