On March 20^th, the REDD+ programme, jointly implemented by UNDP, NIMOS (National Institute for Environment and Development in Suriname), and SBB (Foundation for Forest Management and Production Control), held a consultation meeting with indigenous people in Matta village, facilitated by Ms. Debora Linga from the REDD+ programme and Ms. Ligia Hoepel from SBB. The main objective of the meeting was to share the status of the REDD+ project with the community and discuss the feedback addressed in the previous consultation. Moreover, REDD+ delegates from Guyana attended the meeting to provide insights and encourage the South-South cooperation between Suriname and Guyana. Ms. Manorama Sunuwar, gender specialist of UNDP Suriname, participated in the meeting mainly to prepare a gender responsive report of the event and to provide a gender guideline to the programme team.

Mr. Karwafodi, captain of Matta Village, gave an opening remark and asked for support from REDD+ team in production and promotion of locally made products. He emphasized the importance of Cassava plant as a major staple food for the village, by demonstrating several products made of Cassava, including bread, soup, ice-cream, and cookies.

Mr. Clayfon Hall, coordinator of REDD+ Guyana, explained his experience with involving indigenous communities in Guyana. “Since the representation of the indigenous people of Guyana, as a major stakeholder of the REDD+ programme, is ensured in REDD+ Steering Committee, they engage in planning, developing, and executing programme activities. Thus, we have been able to contribute to the process of achieving communities’ effective and sustainable environmental management by identifying their priority in ensuring sustainable utilization of local resources and supporting their aspiration for capacity building in the REDD+ programme development.

Mr. Michael Williams, indigenous people representative from Guyana, stressed the importance of communication with indigenous people with their language. “It is important to consult with Indigenous people in their language and fully understand their perspectives and opinions. We are happy that the REDD+ programme in Guyana actively has engaged indigenous women, as they have different perspectives due to their marginalized status. Now with the support from the programme, many indigenous women in Guyana have initiated their small businesses in local markets. For example, some of them make peanut butter and sell it in the markets,” said Mr. Williams.

The village people, after this informative and interactive meeting, was able to understand how the programme would add value to the sustainable development of their community. The information session on the gender guideline of the REDD+ programme is scheduled to be held on May 4^th, 2018.