FIRST COMMUNITY SENSITISATION WORKSHOP ON WAITUKUBULI NATIONAL TRAIL SET TO BEGIN ON THURSDAY
Roseau, Dominica – August 13, 2008………Only weeks after the completion of a Nature Animation Training programme, the implementation the Waitukubuli National Trail Project has entered another phase with the commencement of the first Community Sensitisation workshop in the northern village of Cottage on Thursday, October 14, 2008.
The theme of the workshop is “Community Involvement-Integral to the success of the Waitukubuli National Trail”. The overall objective of the workshop is to initiate a greater buy-in and partnership with the community for the success of the Waitukubuli National Trail.
Other objectives of the half day workshop are:
· Disseminate information on the development of the Waitukubuli National Trail;
· Create a platform for community input into the project, generating ideas and stimulating community action towards sustainable practices;
· Soliciting stakeholder support and ownership for the Waitukubuli National Trail;
· Foster greater appreciation for the benefits and opportunities offered by the WNT and for our natural and cultural heritage.
The workshop which takes place at the Cottage Village Council and Resource Centre building at 2.30 pm targets community leaders of Penville, Capuchin, Cottage, Toucarie, Savanne Paille and Clifton in the north of the island.
These communities are located within close proximity of two segments of the national trail currently under construction, namely, the Penville to Capuchin segment (14) and the Capuchin to Portsmouth segment (13).
The workshop will present community leaders with the opportunity to learn more about the Waitukubuli National Trail Project, make suggestions, seek clarification of issues and identify their role in this major development initiative.
An outcome of this workshop is the involvement of local communities in the development of new services and enterprises along the trail and near the trail in the fields of agro-tourism, culture and heritage tourism.
The Project Management Unit of the Waitukubuli National Trail Project places great significance on this component of the project- community sensitisation- as it sees it as critical to the success of the project now and even beyond the project’s three year life.
The workshop is being organised by the Project Management Unit of the Waitukubuli National Trail Project
