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New collaboration established between ExxonMobil Foundation,
Conservation International and University of Guyana
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Program to advance Guyana’s sustainable economy through investments in
education, research, sustainable management and conservation of the
country’s vast ecosystems
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Part of ExxonMobil’s long-term investment in supporting local
priorities in Guyana
IRVING, Texas & GEORGETOWN, Guyana--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 2, 2018--
ExxonMobil Foundation said today that it will contribute US$10 million
to a new collaboration with Conservation International and the
University of Guyana to train Guyanese for sustainable job opportunities
and to expand community-supported conservation.
The investment is also intended to support Guyana’s Green State
Development Plan, the country’s 15-year development plan that aims,
among other things, to diversify Guyana’s economy and balance economic
growth with the sustainable management and conservation of the country’s
ecosystems. The ExxonMobil Foundation will provide the investment over
five years.
Initial grant money will fund a feasibility study driven by Conservation
International, through its affiliate, Conservation International Guyana,
to further define the details of the program. Once defined, Conservation
International Guyana and the University of Guyana will deliver the
education, training, research and retention programs that will help
ensure that economic growth reinforces Guyana’s environmental
development goals.
The investment is also intended to expand conservation areas in the
Rupununi Wetlands, aid mangrove restoration and management and support
improvements to community-based fishing on Guyana’s coast, a sector the
government of Guyana has identified as critically important to the
wellbeing of the Guyanese people, and support the work of the University
of Guyana’s Greening Research and Innovation Centres.
“This partnership will support the highest conservation priorities for
the country as well as education and training for sustainable
employment,” said Kevin Murphy, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation.
“It reinforces the government’s objectives as outlined in its Green
State Development Strategy and demonstrates the value we place on our
long-term relationship with the citizens of Guyana.”
“Guyana stands at a critical crossroads in its development,” said
Jennifer Morris, president of Conservation International. “By investing
in both people and nature, this partnership will play an important part
in helping Guyana execute its vision for a green future.”
“A central feature of Guyana’s development plans is its Green State
Development Strategy which envisions a commitment to a green economy,
sustainable development and protection of its forests and fresh water
resources aligned with the UN’s 2030 Sustainable Development Goals,”
said Professor Nigel E. Harris, chairman of the University of Guyana
Council. “Funding support for a collaborative effort between Guyana’s
leading university, Conservation International and ExxonMobil Foundation
promises a critical opportunity to build relevant teaching, research and
outreach capacity at our university that is necessary to underpin
Guyana’s 2030 Vision for an inclusive, green and prosperous state.”
At this stage, Conservation International anticipates that training will
be focused on environmental innovation and sustainability, and on
entrepreneurship in nature-based sectors. Conservation International
will tap its partnerships with key international universities such as
Arizona State University in the United States to help develop the
programs.
Conservation International is the grantee and the University of Guyana a
key beneficiary. Conservation International, with over 20 years’
experience in Guyana, will take the lead in managing project objectives
and implementation, including success measures as well as financial and
reporting requirements of this multi-year partnership. Conservation
International has been working in Guyana with over 50 communities to
protect nearly 3 million acres of indigenous lands while also improving
livelihoods.
ExxonMobil is placing an emphasis on supporting local priorities,
including business and employment opportunities as well as broader
community programs in Guyana. The company has spent about US$39 million
with local suppliers in Guyana through 2017 and first quarter 2018.
Approximately 68 percent of ExxonMobil’s current in-country employees
are Guyanese.
About the ExxonMobil Foundation
The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of Exxon
Mobil Corporation (NYSE:XOM) in the United States. The foundation
and the corporation engage in a range of philanthropic activities that
advance education, with a focus on math and science in the United
States, promote women as catalysts for economic development and combat
malaria. In 2017, the ExxonMobil Foundation, together with Exxon Mobil
Corporation, its divisions and affiliates along with employees and
retirees, provided $204 million in contributions worldwide.
About ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, the largest publicly traded international energy company,
uses technology and innovation to help meet the world’s growing energy
needs. ExxonMobil is a global leader in LNG project execution and holds
an industry-leading inventory of resources, is one of the largest
refiners and marketers of petroleum products, and its chemical company
is one of the largest in the world. For more information, visit www.exxonmobil.com
or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/exxonmobil.
Esso Exploration and Production Guyana Limited is the affiliate in
Guyana.
About Conservation International
Conservation International uses science, policy and partnerships to
protect the nature that people rely on for food, fresh water and
livelihoods. Founded in 1987, Conservation International works in more
than 30 countries on six continents to ensure a healthy, prosperous
planet that supports us all. Learn more about Conservation
International, the groundbreaking “Nature
Is Speaking” campaign and its series of virtual reality projects: “My
Africa”, "Under
the Canopy” and “Valen’s
Reef”. Follow Conservation International's work on our Human
Nature blog, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
About University of Guyana
The University of Guyana (UG) was established by act of parliament in
1963. It is the country’s leading tertiary institution and Guyana’s only
national university. With a current enrollment of some 8,000
students, UG has graduated more than 40,000 students who have gone on to
successful careers locally, regionally and internationally. Over 65
percent of its graduates are absorbed in the local workforce. The
university is also a major contributor to the national economy and to
business and industry. UG expanded in 2000 with the addition of the Tain
Campus. It now offers more than 90 undergraduate and post-graduate
programs including engineering, environmental studies, forestry, urban
planning and management, tourism studies, education, creative arts,
economics, law, medicine, optometry and nursing. Several online programs
are available and UG also offers extra-mural classes at four locations
across Guyana through its Institute of Distance and Continuing
Education. UG also offers the opportunity for student engagement in
debating, sports, and cultural, religious and professional activities.
Visit www.uog.edu.gy.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180702005264/en/
Source: Exxon Mobil Corporation
ExxonMobil
Media Relations, 972-940-6007
or
Conservation
International
Jenny Parker, 917-763-3263
or
University of
Guyana
592-623-9930
