BIOFUND held for the third time, from 17 to 31 October, the exhibition and multimedia fair, under the motto “The Culture of Conservation and Sustainable Development”, which once again highlighted the objectives of BIOFUND’s work on awareness of civil society (especially children and young people), to the importance and challenges of biodiversity conservation, this time with a focus on Zambézia province.

This event had a great impact at the local level, having received 12 exhibitors for the fair (DPTADER, COSV, SUSTENTA, UPQ, IFPQ, UEM, UCM, UNIZAMBEZE, ICEI, ISHCT, A POLITÉCNICA, RNG-IGF) and more than 4000 visitors, amongst students and teachers from various higher education institutions, and in particular the young people and children of about 43 primary and secondary schools in the city of Quelimane, including children from 5 schools in the districts of Gilé and Pebane who had the opportunity to visit the exhibition and the fair as well as participate in educational activities and various lectures and presentations related to biodiversity.

During the event, many of the visitors left their comments, highlighting:

“I liked the initiative, because the students take a baggage with them and they will take the message, what they saw to the other colleagues who did not come.” Professor Agnélia Pires.

“I really enjoyed the exhibition. It’s my first time to take part in one. The explanation was brief and precise, very good. Talking about biodiversity has led me to wake up on a very good reflection about the care of the nature in which we live (live), and raised my self-esteem about the conservation of the species of plants as well as animals of our country and of the whole world. ” Hermenegildo Raúl.

“Fortunately I liked everything, from the explanations of the animals and aquatic herbs, the lakes and rivers of Mozambique, the insects and reptiles, especially the turtles, etc. I hope there are more exhibitions of these … It was good! Thanks.”. Gunyia Bruno Dramusse.

“Thank you to BIOFUND for this impressive exhibition. It is an important step towards preserving the beauty and rich biodiversity of Mozambique for Mozambicans and the whole world. I am very happy that many dedicated professionals work here. Regards! “Theodora Dell- USAID.

The event at Zambézia also allowed the identification of relevant local issues and the possibility of exploring potential synergies in the short and medium term between the partners.

The closing of the exhibition was held on 31 October at the Institute for Teacher Education, which was attended by 100 participants in the last forum, where presentations and debates were held on the theme: “Environmental education and the environment: challenges for the future “, highlighting the presentations of Politecnica, Portucel and COMBO project. In the same session, a bicycle was awarded to a student of the Complete Elementary School Manhaua Expansion (1^st and 2st grades), Lúcia Sitiman, winner of the contest to guess the sounds of animals. Certificates were also delivered to the 16 guides (students from UEM, Universidade Pedagógica and UniZambeze) as recognition for their daily work during these two weeks at the exhibition.

In the Radio Moçambique program “Café da manhã” (available here), emphasis was placed on this BIOFUND initiative, recognizing the importance of holding this exhibition sensitizing Mozambican society on the importance of conserving its natural heritage. “Biodiversity are all resources of our day-to-day life,” said Diogo Borges, Provincial Director of Terra, Environment and Rural Development of Zambézia. Efforts to conserve our biodiversity should start with every Mozambican – words from one of the listeners; We are all beneficiaries of the goods and services provided by biodiversity and all responsible for its conservation!

This exhibition was made possible thanks to the support and collaboration of the Pedagogic University, the Quelimane Teachers’ Training Institute (IFPQ), the University Foundation for the Development of Education (FUNDE / A Politécnica), the Pedagogic University Foundation (FUP) the Ministry of Education and Human Development (MINEDH), the Government of the Province of Zambézia and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the sponsorship of the World Bank, Mozbio Project, FNDS, European Union and SUSTENTA Project.