VZCZCXYZ0008
RR RUEHWEB
DE RUEHLP #0112/01 0251816
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 251815Z JAN 10
FM AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0506
INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES
RUEHCV/AMEMBASSY CARACAS
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO
UNCLAS LA PAZ 000112
SIPDIS
STATE FOR IIP/G/WHA CBARONE
INFO WHA/PDA TPICKREL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: OIIP BL KPAO SCUL OEXC
SUBJECT: FY 2010 U.S. SPEAKER PROGRAM - REQUEST FOR A SPEAKER TO
ADDRESS NEW TRENDS IN ECO-TOURISM
Post shares this request with other posts in case there is interest
in joining La Paz in this program.
1. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAM: This one-week program would be
scheduled around the XIV Tourism International Fair, an event that
will be held in the city of Tarija which will host tourism
entrepreneurs from Bolivia and other countries in the region. The
speaker would deliver a lecture at the Fair, a lecture in La Paz,
and conduct a workshop in Santa Cruz.
2. TIME FRAME. March 3-12, 2010. The speaker would arrive in La
Paz on Wed, March 3 to connect to Tarija that same day. Departure
would be on Friday, March 12 from Santa Cruz. Proposed itinerary
follows:
Wed, March 3 - Arrival in La Paz
Wed, March 3 - Flight to Tarija
Thu, March 4 - Program in Tarija
Fri, March 5 - Program in Tarija
Sat, March 6 - Flight to La Paz
Sun, March 7 - Rest in La Paz
Mon, March 8 - Program in La Paz
Tue, March 9 - Program in La Paz
Tue, March 9 - Afternoon flight to Santa Cruz
Wed, March 10 - Program in Santa Cruz
Thu, March 11 - Program in Santa Cruz
Fri, March 12 - Departure
3. PURPOSE OF PROGRAM:
One of our MSP goals is to promote economic growth of vulnerable
sectors, mainly indigenous communities. Given the need in Bolivia
of a sustained economy that could allow for development
opportunities for low-income sectors, it is one of the Mission's
goals to provide collaboration with indigenous communities and
local governments in the creation of joint strategies to advance
sustainable development in economically-depressed protected areas.
With eco-tourism being an important issue for the Bolivian
government, this program would support the efforts of main
stakeholders by: 1) Assisting Bolivian sectors that are/will be
engaged in eco-tourism administration in protected areas in the
development of initiatives that could help create and/or advance
alternative and productive initiatives to the benefit of local
actors, 2) Promoting environment consciousness and foster active
community action in the preservation of the environment, and the
protection of natural reserves.
The Bolivian Tourism Guide (GBT), an organization that seeks to
promote and improve eco-tourism services in Bolivia, sponsors an
annual international eco-tourism fair that engages large audiences
in discussions about best ways to create more professional, more
targeted eco-tourism programs.
The 2010 XIV Tourism International Fair will host about 500
professionals from the region, and will allow for approximately 100
enterprises to showcase products. The speaker would be one of the
various lecturers that organizers will invite to the event.
Also, the speaker would deliver the same lecture before audiences
in the city of La Paz; and conduct a one-day workshop in the city
of Santa Cruz. The workshop would focus on steps to follow for the
design of sustainable environmentally-friendly eco-tourism
programs.
Program co-sponsors would include GBT, Conservation International,
the National Council on Eco-tourism (CONAES), and NGOs working in
the field.
The program would meet MSP goals in Economic Growth.
4. AUDIENCE(S): Post plans to reach different audiences, ranging
from professionals with extensive background in eco-tourism
promotion, to representatives of local governments interested in
community development, members of indigenous communities who wish
to start-up eco-tourism initiatives, NGO staff dealing with
environmental preservation and economic development, and university
students.
5. PROPOSED TOPICS AND NATURE OF EVENTS:
Lectures (40-minute presentation, 15-minute Q)
2010 XIV Tourism International Fair, and other venues in La Paz,
and possibly El Alto.
Topic:
"Importance of Eco-Tourism in Sustainable Development"
Topics for discussion:
a)Empowering local communities: the impact of eco-tourism in
community social, cultural, economic, and political development.
b)Engaging communities in the creation and implementation of
eco-tourism programs to promote sustainable local development.
Lecture audiences to include professionals with extensive
background in eco-tourism promotion, representatives of local
governments, NGO staff, and university students.
One-day workshop (two 4-hour sessions).
Topic: Community Eco-Tourism Management in Protected Areas
Topics for inter-active sessions:
a) Understanding the concept of sustainable ecotourism
b) Assisting local actors that are/will be
engaged in eco-tourism administration in protected areas, in the
development of initiatives that could help create and/or advance
alternative and productive initiatives.
c) Preventing tourism businesses from creating negative impact on
the environment and the community.
d) Creating government/community joint programs that could adjust
to community needs, and could meet the expectations of clients
while promoting environmental protection, social respect, and
active community participation.
Workshop audience to include representatives of local governments,
members of indigenous communities, NGO staff.
6. TYPE OR NAME OF SPECIALISTS REQUIRED:
Ideally, the speaker would be a Native American who has experience
in Latin American countries, and who has worked extensively in
creating and implementing eco-tourism programs involving the
participation of indigenous communities living within natural
reserves. The speaker should also be knowledgeable about the
trends of eco-tourism markets -- an issue of great interest among
target audiences. The speaker should be a good workshop
facilitator able to conduct dynamic and inter-active workshops and
deliver motivational lectures.
Post suggests contacting the International Eco-Tourism Society's
office in Washington, DC to identify a potential speaker for this
program. Telephone: 202-506-5033. Web:
http://www.ecotourism.org/site/c.orLQKXPCLmF/ b.4916707/k.2A9C/Conta
ct_Us.htm
7. LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS. Spanish-language skills required.
8. OTHER MATERIALS REQUIRED: Post's IRC would produce material for
distribution.
9. PROGRAM OFFICERS:
Mission Program Officer is CAO E.J. Monster, office telephone
591-2-216-8422, home telephone 591-2-279-6405, fax 591-2-216-8622,
email MonsterEJ@state.gov, cell number 591-715-60916.
FSN Cultural Specialist: Silvia Dattoli, office telephone
591-2-216-8977, home telephone 591-2-279-7237, fax 591-2-216-8622,
dattolisc@state.gov, cell number 591-791-13403.
10. FUNDING SPECIFICS: Post will use I Buck allocations to cover
program costs. Post will cover costs for inter-city travel out of
PAS La Paz funds. Per diem for programmed cities follows:
- Tarija: USD 101
- La Paz: USD 136
- Santa Cruz: USD 143
11. SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Post would like to schedule an advanced
program planning conference call with the potential speaker.
We look forward to working with IIP on this project.
Creamer