LocationsIn the face of an unprecedented planetary climate crises, it is essential to support actions that effectively restore and safeguard ecosystems, forge a path to a nature-positive future, and contribute to accelerating a green recovery from the COVID pandemic. One organization, Mauberema Ecotourism, Nature Conservation, Education, Research and Training Centre (MENCERTC), has succeeded in this regard and has received global recognition for it.
Mauberema awarded the prestigious Equator Prize 2022
August 31, 2022
UNDP Papua New Guinea is proud to announce that MENCERTC is one of the winners of the 13th Equator Prize award, which has recognised ten Indigenous peoples and local communities from nine countries, including Papua New Guinea. Equator Prize winners showcase how important it is to place Indigenous, traditional knowledge and nature-based solutions at the heart of local development. The winners were selected from a pool of over 500 nominations across 109 countries by renowned experts. The selection was based on community-based approaches that provide a blueprint for replicating and scaling solutions to address planetary crises.
MENCERTC is leading a consortium of indigenous community-based organizations formed to conserve Papua New Guinea’s ecosystems. As a youth-led organization, they also partner with local universities to spur indigenous youth to better contribute to future of conservation efforts in Papua New Guinea.
International Tourist from Canada visiting our Mauberema Early Childhood Learning Kids and Mauberema Culture group and hiking Mauberema forest on the 22nd of August, 2022.
Moses Kerry | MENCERTC.
Mr Moses Kirikumul Kerry, Founder and Director of MENCERTC stated: “On behalf of MENCERTC and the Mauberema Community of Tabare LLG, Sinesine Yongomulg District, Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea, we thank Professor Vojtech Novonty and Dr. Francesca Dem from New Guinea Binatang Research Centre for nominating MENCERTC for this global prestigious award in conservation and sustainable community development. We also thank the Equator Prize Committee for selecting us as one of the top 10 winners.”
MENCERTC Staff with five University of Goroka trainee students and local Mauberema Para-ecologist team ready to conduct a biodiversity survey of Mauberema forest from 24th of August - 5th September, 2022.
Moses Kerry | MENCERTC.
The announcement also marks the Equator Initiative’s 20th anniversary, recognizing 264 winners to date. The winning organizations demonstrate ways that innovative, nature-based solutions can enable communities to achieve sustainable development and demonstrate resilience, even in a time of economic, environmental, political and public health shocks.
UNDP Papua New Guinea Resident Representative, Dirk Wagener stated, "we are very proud of our local Papua New Guinea winner of the Equator Prize. It is highly encouraging to see such recognition for indigenous efforts, all too often missed as an important resource for the better stewardship of the country's rich biodiversity."
Equator Prize winners will receive US$10,000, and the opportunity to take part in a series of special virtual events associated with the UN General Assembly, the UNDP Nature for Life Hub, COP 27 in Egypt, and COP 15 in Montreal. They will join a network of 264 communities from over 80 countries that have received the Equator Prize since its inception 20 years ago.
"On behalf of MENCERTC and the Mauberema Community of Tabare LLG, Sinesine Yongomulg District, Simbu Province, Papua New Guinea, we thank Professor Vojtech Novonty and Dr. Francesca Dem from New Guinea Binatang Research Centre for nominating MENCERTC for this global prestigious award in conservation and sustainable community development. We also thank the Equator Prize Committee for selecting us as one of the top 10 winners.”Mr Moses Kirikumul Kerry
