Environment Dictionary Exhibit Inaugurated at the Dominican Children’s Library

Environment Dictionary Exhibit Inaugurated at the Dominican Children’s Library
(Biblioteca Infantil y Juvenil República Dominicana)
Santo Domingo, September 3, 2013

A group of some 50 enthusiastic public school students from La Escuela Básica de Jacagua had the rare opportunity of discover the wondrous and rich biodiversity of their country at an exhibit currently on display at the Dominican Children’s Library (Biblioteca Infantil y Juvenil República Dominicana).

The Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment Exhibit, inaugurated on September 3, is a show of 66 panels of images that provide basic knowledge on issues related to the environment and conservation methods. The itinerantExhibit, an initiative of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) and Fundación Global Democracia y Desarrollo (FUNGLODE) skillfully unites information on the environment and natural resources of one of the Caribbean’s richest and most ecologically diverse nations. The exhibit incorporates information from a wide range of disciplines, including chemistry, physics, geology, biology, atmospheric engineering, earth and soil sciences, geography, demography, economics and law.

The Dominican Encyclopedic Dictionary of the Environment Exhibit, one of the numerous DR Environment Film Festival activities underway this week, will be on display at the Library until the end of September.

Natasha Despotovic, GFDD’s Executive Director, welcomed the students and their teachers, saying that the Exhibit provides an invaluable opportunity for pupils and educators to take advantage of this unique educational experience designed to broaden horizons and foster a sense of ownership and national pride in the conservation of their country.  After all, they will be the ones responsible to help to protect the environment in years to come, Ms. Despotovic pointed out.

Ms. Despotovic was accompanied on this important day by her team, Semiramis de Miranda, Projects and Programs ICT Director, in Washington DC, and Yamile Eusebio, who is Director, in GFDD’s New York office as well as Director of Formative Activities in FUNGLODE.

The students were warmly greeted by the Library’s director, Dulce Elvira De los Santos and her staff and given a guided tour of the facilities. Throughout the visit, the lively students were delighted by images of animals and places they had never seen before. They were also introduced to important issues such as the inexplicable expansion of Lake Enriquillo as well as endangered flora and fauna.

The Exhibit is inspired by a Dictionary of the same name, which features an incredible 712 defined environmental terms, 58 table sets, 123 graphics, 19 scientific articles and over 900 photographs. Divided into three main sections: scientific articles, definitions of terms and concepts and a resource guide containing a map of national protected areas, a directory of environmental organizations, government agencies and a list of endemic flora and fauna, the Dictionary book is sure to serve as an important reference for generations of students, environmentalists and citizens alike.

The Dictionary and Exhibit are part of GFDD/FUNGLODE’s overall goal to promote the Dominican Republic, disseminate information about the country and strengthen appreciation of the country’s ecology and biodiversity.

For more information please visit us www.dreff.org.