GFDD and FUNGLODE Create the International Center for Environmental and Sustainable Development Studies

Haiti. Chancellor Dr. Dennis Alicea signed the agreement for the Universidad del Turabo, and Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, Mr. Edgard Prévilon signed for Université Quisqueya. Haiti. Chancellor Dr. Dennis Alicea signed the agreement for the Universidad del Turabo, and Vice-Rector for Academic
Affairs, Mr. Edgard Prévilon signed for Université Quisqueya.

The purpose of the Agreement is to establish a cooperative relationship for the development of the International Center for Environmental and Sustainable Development Studies, ICESDeS.
The Center will (1) Develop professional and technical training; (2) conduct scientific research; (3) conduct sustainable development programs; and (4) promote environmental social consciousness.

The Center will seek the collaboration of government, non-government, academic and other institutions to partake and contribute to its goals, gathered under different working groups. These working groups will develop work plans from a national perspective and will recommendations to be adopted by the Center.

ICESDeS will develop human resources and strategies to manage the growing volume of solid waste, encourage the development of alternative energy sources, preserve and improve the quality of air and water, conduct environmental remediation activities, use of information technology for environmental management, increase citizen participation in the preservation of the environment and non-renewable resources and reduce the impact
of economic development activities on the environment. These actions will take place as part of a development in the three countries of a specialized legal framework and governmental structures appropriate for environmental management, sustainable development and the application of the pertinent international laws.

ICESDeS will facilitate sharing of experiences and resources, uniting efforts and coordinating activities among neighboring
countries to confront common challenges and maximize the results of their efforts.

The management of the Center will be responsibility of a Board of Directors with representation from the three institutions that will meet periodically to coordinate activities, seek funding sources for the different projects, and monitor that all the activities are beneficial to the participating countries.

The event gathered
Dr. Jaime Moreno, Coordinator of the Environmental Studies Working Group of FUNGLODE, the University of Turabo, Puerto Rico, represented by Dr. Dennis Alicea, Rector, Sr. Roberto Lorán, Vice-Rector, Dr. Pierre Smith, Dean of the School of Engineers, Center for Research of Plasma and Renewable Energies; Dr. Matthews Goosen, Dean of Science and Technology, Ph.D. program on Environment Science, and Mr. Edgard Prévilion, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs,
Université Quisqueya, of Haití.

During the event, Dr. Jaime Moreno talked about the environmental challenges and perspectives facing the Dominican Republic and how erosion and waste disposal is affecting the sea, the coral reefs, and fisheries. The representatives from University of Turabo exposed the capacity o