Heroes of Our Forests Photo Exhibition
European Commission – United Nations Development Programme (EC-UNDP) Small Grants Programme for Operations to Promote Tropical Forest Conservation and Sustainable Management (SGP PTF) ‘Heroes of Our Forests’ Photo Exhibition Launch by His Royal Highness Raja Dr. Nazrin Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak, 4 March 2006, 1 Utama, Petaling Jaya.
The three day exhibition was officially launched by His Royal Highness Raja Nazrin Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak yesterday at 1 Utama Shopping Centre. The launch was witnessed by the Head of European Commission Delegation to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr. Thierry Rommel, Dr. Richard Leete, Resident Representative of UNDP Malaysia, and other foreign dignitaries.
The exhibition aim to showcase the work of EC UNDP SGP PTF in Malaysia to the general public on issues focusing on conservation of tropical forests, efforts in reducing poverty among indigenous groups through alternative livelihood and skills enhancement, preservation of oral cultural traditions through documentation as well as gender empowerment. It also aims to demonstrate the benefits of EC-UNDP collaboration in assisting indigenous groups while attempting to create interest among the different target groups, i.e. NGOs, private sector, government, potential donors, volunteers, other stakeholders, on the indigenous groups in Malaysia and their role in forest management.
SGP PTF’s celebrity partners, Joanna Bessey, Na’a Murad, Reshmonu and Zahim Albakri have lent their support to the efforts of SGP PTF by advocating these objectives via their appearance on the posters with the indigenous communities. Their involvement in the project is anticipated to create interest among mainstream Malaysians on issues related to indigenous groups such as poverty, preservation of their cultures and traditions, and community-based forest management, among others. The celebrities were also present during the launch.
European Commission Head of Delegation to Malaysia, H.E. Thierry Rommel said ‘This exhibition celebrates the indigenous communities of Malaysia, their plight, their rights and their precious traditional knowledge about biodiversity and forestry and their sustainable use'.
Dr. Richard Leete, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator to Malaysia also recognizes how SGP PTF is benefiting the indigenous groups. ‘This collaborative effort of EU and UNDP, through its 21 projects in poor communities in different parts of Malaysia, is contributing towards improving the lives and livelihoods of some of the indigenous people. These people, especially the women, are among the poorest of Malaysia's poor. Through this exhibition, we are trying to let the public know how community forestry can assist in reducing poverty. ’
SGP PTF celebrity partner, Joanna Bessey said that "Visiting, drinking tea with, weaving, singing and joking with the Orang Asli women on Carey Island was one of the most pleasurable days I've had in a long time! Their talent and imagination is not tainted by too much television and our current somewhat sheep-like society. They are the kind of people who are very spiritual and recognise the life force within all of us."
Another SGP PTF partner, popular singer Reshmonu felt that in this age of development, the significance of Mother Nature has been forgotten. ‘Having experienced a brief moment with the Mah Meris, I commend their way of life which is strong and solid as the essence of the nyireh wood they carve. Both are part of our natural heritage to which we owe a sacred duty to preserve for all time’, he added.
The EC UNDP SGP PTF is a co-operation between the EC and UNDP and the first in Malaysia to focus specifically on the local indigenous peoples. The general objective of the SGP PTF Malaysia is to alleviate poverty among the poor dependent on the forests, by strengthening the link between economic enterprise and sustainable forest use and management. It is presently funding 21 projects around Malaysia. The photo exhibition will be on until 5 March 2006 at the Ground Floor, New Wing, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya.
SmoovePinch will help exhibit some of these photo's at the Remember Series Event on Saturday April 22, at Bond, AvenueK Shopping Arcade.
The three day exhibition was officially launched by His Royal Highness Raja Nazrin Shah, the Raja Muda of Perak yesterday at 1 Utama Shopping Centre. The launch was witnessed by the Head of European Commission Delegation to Malaysia, His Excellency Mr. Thierry Rommel, Dr. Richard Leete, Resident Representative of UNDP Malaysia, and other foreign dignitaries.
The exhibition aim to showcase the work of EC UNDP SGP PTF in Malaysia to the general public on issues focusing on conservation of tropical forests, efforts in reducing poverty among indigenous groups through alternative livelihood and skills enhancement, preservation of oral cultural traditions through documentation as well as gender empowerment. It also aims to demonstrate the benefits of EC-UNDP collaboration in assisting indigenous groups while attempting to create interest among the different target groups, i.e. NGOs, private sector, government, potential donors, volunteers, other stakeholders, on the indigenous groups in Malaysia and their role in forest management.
SGP PTF’s celebrity partners, Joanna Bessey, Na’a Murad, Reshmonu and Zahim Albakri have lent their support to the efforts of SGP PTF by advocating these objectives via their appearance on the posters with the indigenous communities. Their involvement in the project is anticipated to create interest among mainstream Malaysians on issues related to indigenous groups such as poverty, preservation of their cultures and traditions, and community-based forest management, among others. The celebrities were also present during the launch.
European Commission Head of Delegation to Malaysia, H.E. Thierry Rommel said ‘This exhibition celebrates the indigenous communities of Malaysia, their plight, their rights and their precious traditional knowledge about biodiversity and forestry and their sustainable use'.
Dr. Richard Leete, United Nations Resident Co-ordinator to Malaysia also recognizes how SGP PTF is benefiting the indigenous groups. ‘This collaborative effort of EU and UNDP, through its 21 projects in poor communities in different parts of Malaysia, is contributing towards improving the lives and livelihoods of some of the indigenous people. These people, especially the women, are among the poorest of Malaysia's poor. Through this exhibition, we are trying to let the public know how community forestry can assist in reducing poverty. ’
SGP PTF celebrity partner, Joanna Bessey said that "Visiting, drinking tea with, weaving, singing and joking with the Orang Asli women on Carey Island was one of the most pleasurable days I've had in a long time! Their talent and imagination is not tainted by too much television and our current somewhat sheep-like society. They are the kind of people who are very spiritual and recognise the life force within all of us."
Another SGP PTF partner, popular singer Reshmonu felt that in this age of development, the significance of Mother Nature has been forgotten. ‘Having experienced a brief moment with the Mah Meris, I commend their way of life which is strong and solid as the essence of the nyireh wood they carve. Both are part of our natural heritage to which we owe a sacred duty to preserve for all time’, he added.
The EC UNDP SGP PTF is a co-operation between the EC and UNDP and the first in Malaysia to focus specifically on the local indigenous peoples. The general objective of the SGP PTF Malaysia is to alleviate poverty among the poor dependent on the forests, by strengthening the link between economic enterprise and sustainable forest use and management. It is presently funding 21 projects around Malaysia. The photo exhibition will be on until 5 March 2006 at the Ground Floor, New Wing, 1 Utama Shopping Centre, Petaling Jaya.
SmoovePinch will help exhibit some of these photo's at the Remember Series Event on Saturday April 22, at Bond, AvenueK Shopping Arcade.
posted by Joe Frigg at 3:03 am
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