Category: News

Published: Tuesday, 09 July 2019 20:04

by Emirul Redzuan

On the 26th of June, EcoKnights was invited to participate in a symposium that was being held in Brunei. Community Development & Education Officer (CDE), Nurul Nabila Shohimi, and Restoration, Rehabilitation, & Conservation Officer (RRC), Emirul Redzuan were sent to Brunei to present a paper about ‘The Roles of NGO In Advancing Communication, Environmental Education and Participation for Sustainable Living’. This symposium was organised by Ecobus Hong Kong and were held for 5 days starting from 26th June. Other than EcoKnights, various organisations from Malaysia, Hong Kong and Brunei were present such as Nature Classroom, Sabah Wetlands Conservation Society, Greengoer, BruWILD, and Green Brunei, making up to a total of 14 participants.

The symposium where held at Meriuk Farmstay, which is located in the middle of the forest under the Tutong District. The tentative and activities of the symposium include:

1st Day – Symposium welcoming remark by Dr Tang Chin Cheung, President and Founder of Ecobus, and welcoming dinner.

2nd Day – Visit & overnight at Meriuk Farm Stay, bamboo cooking experience, symposium meeting and night watching

3rd Day – Bird watching, symposium meeting and night watching.

4th Day – Tree planting at community based herbal tea plantation, symposium meeting & conclusion session, mangrove cruise, farewell dinner at Water Village and night market

5th Day – Hotel check out and tour around Bandar Sri Begawan.

EcoKnights presentation was focusing on their strategy in engaging with the targeted stakeholders in two of their main programmes which are KLEAR and G2G. Technical application of ‘Theory of Change’ in these two programmes was presented to the participants.

During the symposium, participants were given a chance to see Brunei exotic wildlife. Accompanied by the forest guide nicknamed Jungle Dave, various flora and fauna from tropical jungle to exotic mangrove forest were explored. The participants were also given an opportunity to use camera trap to capture nocturnal wildlife.

On the 4th day, the symposium ended with a group discussion among the participants. The discussion focused on the next steps of the symposium where everyone can stay connected under new projects. On the last day, participants were given the opportunity to walk around the city.