RDF project coordinator participated at the Global Environments Summer Academy (GESA) 2014. GESA 2014 is a three-week event organized jointly by the Global Diversity Foundation and the Centre for Development and Environment at the University of Bern. The study tour was partially founded by the Christensen Fund. It was the first time that a representative from Kyrgyzstan partook in GESA. There were 400 applicants, and GESA only sellected 18 participantsamong which was our project coordinator.
Purpose of the study tour
The programme was intense. It was designed to broaden and deepen the knowledge, networking, and communication skills of postgraduate students, professionals and activists who are concerned about anthropocenic dimensions of environmental challenges.
Each participant presented his/her project, and Amanalieva presented on the topic of “The biodiversity saving through a revival of traditional Kyrgyz values”.
Practical experience also was a principle of the programme activity, and, therefore, participants gained knowledge in policy making and implementation, as they interacted with leading policy-makers. They also acquired skills in research design formulation, fieldwork methods and data analysis with support from experienced field researchers. The participants developed their academic acumen in close collaboration with leading scholars, and explored the value of creativity with artists.