The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in partnership with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the National Forestry Directorate (DINAF), on 6 April held the induction of interns at central level, from the 2nd edition of internships of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM). The 16 young people, including five women, have been trained in multi-disciplinary areas such as Law (2), Advertising and Marketing (2), Forestry Engineering (6), Agricultural Engineering (1), Accounting and Auditing (1), Political Science (1), Computing Engineering and Technologies (1), Environmental Engineering (1) and Computer Applications (1). They will be placed in BIOFUND, ANAC, DINAF and the National Sustainable Development Fund (FNDS).

The event also brought together the beneficiaries from the first edition of the scholarship programme, in an exchange of experiences between the future young leaders of conservation.

During the opening of the event, Luís Honwana, the Executive Director of BIOFUND, said that, with the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), BIOFUND intends to give young people an opportunity to understand their role in the conservation of biodiversity, and particularly to raise awareness about the need to involve all sectors in the conservation of biodiversity.

Alima Issufo, the representative of DINAF, in addition to transmitting the expectations of the institution to the interns, shared the story of her own career. Just like the selected youths, she began as an intern, but has now been working in the Department of Forestry Management for more than 20 years.

During the event, the beneficiaries were able to hear about the institutions where they will work as interns, and to take part in group dynamics that will allow involvement and learning about biodiversity and the country’s Conservation Areas. There was also room for sharing experiences with former interns of the programme who are part of the teams of workers of BIOFUND and of ANAC.

“I am very happy to be part of the PLCM. Out of more than a thousand candidates, I was chosen! As a young person, I will do my best during the period of internship” – Iolanda da Conceição Carvino Chibamo, trained in forestry engineering, who will be an intern in DINAF.

“As a youth, I know that I can do a great deal for the conservation of biodiversity. I hope to use my potential to influence other young people with the experience that I shall acquire during this internship” – Betuel Virgílio, trained in Law, and who will be an intern at ANAC.

This is the second edition of pre-professional internships implemented by the PLCM. The first edition took place between February 2020 and February 2021, benefitting 19 young people at central level and in the Conservation Areas.