| PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION
MWC aims to preserve biodiversity in key areas by promoting a
long-term conservation process that integrates development, environmental
education and research. MWC therefore pursues four general objectives:
Community Empowerment
With millions of people depending directly on natural resources
and living in and around endangered ecosystems, MWC believes that
sustainable conservation of Madagascar's biodiversity can only
be achieved through community participation. There is a close
interconnection between the future and wellbeing of the humans
and their surrounding environment.
Therefore MWC aims to develop a local competence in sustainable
resource management, which respects the needs of the villagers
and encourages new perspectives. Collaborative management guarantees
local communities and other stakeholders to be actively and equally
involved in decision-making and responsible for sustainable management
of conservation.
Creating alternative revenue sources
Poverty and marginalization of the rural communities pose important
challenges with regard to the need of securing tangible benefits
of conservation for local people. MWC promotes the creation of
alternative revenue sources to develop sustainable local micro-projects.
Environmental education
Conservation does not only involve protection and sustainable
management of natural habitats. It is also a matter of communication
and emotional commitment. Knowledge must be shared with the members
of the local community and the decision makers of the future,
the children. MWC therefore encourages the local communities to
learn, take interest, understand and value their environment and
their responsibilities concerning conservation. Only what we know,
we can love and what we love, we will protect.
Research
MWC is convinced that research when applied in an appropriate
way is a supporting tool for conservation. It can identify valuable
parameters for the protection of the wildlife in focus, as well
as suggesting potential solutions and approaches for educational
and community development programmes.
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