For immediate Release

CZMAI and UWI-SEDU DFID Host Workshop on the Feasibility of Alternative Sustainable Coastal Resource-Based Enhanced Livelihood Strategies

Belize City, Belize, Wednesday, June 9, 2004 - - The Coastal Zone Management Authority and Institute (CZMAI) in conjunction with a UWI-SEDU DFID team that conducted Phase I of the DFID funded project Feasibility of Alternative Sustainable Coastal Resource-Based Enhanced Livelihood Strategies will be facilitating a workshop on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 at the Princess Hotel from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to share and discuss the findings of Phase I and discuss Phase II of the project.

Phase 1 of the project involved case studies of Hopkins and Sarteneja, two coastal communities in Belize. The aim of the DFID commissioned study is to identify priorities for allocation of resources in support of policy initiatives to address the interface between poverty and natural resource sustainability.

Phase 2 of the project now involves ‘ground-truthing' the results in terms of policy interventions, which would assist in deepening policy support for sustainable livelihood practices in Belize and the wider Caribbean. This second phase runs until March, 2005 with a possibility of extension to later in the year and involves a return to Belize to share results and proposals for follow-up activities to realize an enhanced environment for sustainable livelihoods. In addition, Grenada has been, selected as a third site for validating the findings of the study.

While in Belize, the UWI-SEDU team will also meet with various policy makers and key stakeholders to share their conclusions as to the priority policy interventions which could be implemented. The UWI-SEDU team is led by Mr. Dennis Pantin, UWI-SEDU, Department of Economics, UWI, St. Augustine. Other members are Dr. Dennis Brown (Sociologist and poverty/gender specialist, Lecturer Behavioural Science); Dr. Michelle Mycoo (Planner and lecturer, Faculty of Engineering); Dr. Judith Gobin (environmental specialist and Lecturer, Faculty of Natural Sciences), Mr. Winston Rennie (economist and SEDU Research Associate) and Ms. Suzanne Francis Brown (Communication specialist, UWI-Mona).

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