Amara Conservation - 2005 - "Barazas" - The New Community Forum Program

The New Community
Forum Program
A new program to compliment
our Mobile Film Unit
From the March 2005 Newsletter

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In 2004 we assisted with a new educational program called community forums, known locally as barazas that are delivered in connection with film showings in the areas identified as “bushmeat poaching hotspots.” To build a framework for further development of this program in 2005, we ran a small pilot program last year to test its effectiveness, by measuring community response and participation levels in the Community Forum Program. It was noted that in all six communities where we tested the Forum program each community voiced an interest to the panel of Kenyan specialists, in the need for more environmental education in their communities as their number one priority.

Through the broadened use of the Community Forum Program, in conjunction with our educational films, Amara hopes to help communities prioritize their goals related to environmental degradation and bushmeat poaching problems and eventually help them learn how to manage their natural resources in sustainable ways. By listening to the needs and concerns voiced by community leaders and residents, we plan to follow up with appropriate films on specific species, and on regional issues or local concerns such as desertification, deforestation, and exploring alternative land use practices. Our goal for this year is to reach 100 communities with our mobile film unit, with 25% targeted as “bushmeat poaching hotspots” and identified as recipients for our Community Forum Program.