On Saturday September 13th 2014, during the IV Dominican Republic Environmental Film Festival (DREFF), Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) launched the book Hacia el desarrollo sostenible y la economía verde en la República Dominicana (Towards sustainable development and green economy in Dominican Republic) which includes a brief analysis of the current sustainable development in a global context, a compilation of national and international legislation regarding said topics and a practical guide to promote environmental sustainability and resilience from both business and household perspectives.
The event began with a welcome cocktail in the lobby of the auditorium of the Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (FUNGLODE), where guests were able to share with the event organizers and general public.
The publication initially published in Spanish, uses very user-friendly language to foster awareness on climate change and sustainability topics for a wide audience in both the Dominican Republic and abroad. The book gives an introduction to basic sustainability topics and the most important milestones at the international, and local levels, on sustainable development. It outlines the best practices and shares the lessons learned from many countries and companies that have committed to sustainability at several levels. It then presents useful hands-on tips for saving water and energy, contributing to transport sustainability, promoting green policies at the work place, and other related areas of interest. The book also includes several facts, important quotes/statements and useful information related to the Sustainable Development Goals proposed by the United Nations.
Businesses and households that wish to contribute to sustainable development are now provided with the knowledge of where and how to start. Although this was originally written for the Dominican Republic audience, it is undoubtedly just as applicable to other people elsewhere, since our need for a more sustainable environment knows no geographical limits.
Mrs. Natasha Despotovic, Executive Director of Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD) gave the opening remarks and presented the book, giving a short explanation of its contents and highlighting the importance and relevance of the publication, at the time that the United Nations are agreeing Sustainable Development Goals globally.
Meanwhile, Maria Victoria Abreu, Manager of International Relations and Socio-Economic Programs at GFDD, spoke about the process carried out for the realization of the book. Abreu thanked the contributors, particularly highlighting ECORED, Giselle Pérez and Yomayra Martinó Dominican lawyers’ specialize in environmental law, Omar Ramirez of the National Council for Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism, PACE University and Jake Kheel Group Puntacana.
She reiterated the public support to the project, by contributing with new ideas and initiatives at a local and national level for future editions, and to join the conversation on social networks, which serves as a multiplier mechanism of awareness on the subject.
Mrs. Yomayra Martinó, one of the contributors to the content of the publication, spoke about the importance of this publication to the Dominican Republic, emphasizing some of the major challenges in environmental regulation for sustainable development.
With this publication, GFDD emphasizes its commitment to promoting consciousness on climate change and environmental sustainability issues, and continues the institutional tradition of launching a special and time-relevant product during the celebration of each year’s DREFF.
For more information about the book and the DREFF visit www.globalfoundationdd.org or www.dreff.org. Join the conversation on sustainable development promoted by followingGFDDorg GFDD andMuestraCine on Twitter, using the hashtags #RDsostenible and #DREFF.
