International Day of Forests

“The International Day of Forests is dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of all types of forests and trees to our economic, social, environmental and cultural well-being. However awareness must be coupled with concrete action. As we deliberate on the post-2015 development agenda, let us acknowledge the vital role of forests and pledge to work together to protect and sustainably manage these vital ecosystems.”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/forestsday/

And of course, on this day we can’t forget about the world’s “Gardeners of the Forest”, as conservationist Ian Redmond describes animals such as elephants and gorillas.

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Virunga screenings TFF2014

The Tribeca Film Festival 2014 schedule is now live! Check out the screening dates and times of the Virunga documentary here:

http://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/53208a9dc07f5df7d200062f-virunga

It promises to be spectacular!

“Virunga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is Africa’s oldest national park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and a contested ground among insurgencies seeking to topple the government that see untold profits in the land. Among this ongoing power struggle, Virunga also happens to be the last natural habitat for the critically endangered mountain gorilla. The only thing standing in the way of the forces closing in around the gorillas: a handful of passionate park rangers and journalists fighting to secure the park’s borders and expose the corruption of its enemies. Filled with shocking footage, and anchored by the surprisingly deep and gentle characters of the gorillas themselves, Virunga is a galvanizing call to action around an ongoing political and environmental crisis in the Congo.”

-Cara Cusumano

Virunga@Hot docs Toronto

Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival is North America’s largest documentary festival, conference and market. Each year, the Festival presents a selection of more than 180 cutting-edge documentaries from Canada and around the globe. The Virunga documentary will be broadcasted during their 2014 Festival, 24 April-4 May.

http://boxoffice.hotdocs.ca/WebSales/pages/info.aspx?evtinfo=22864~446634ba-e848-4237-9b3c-72aceddb5263&epguid=b314c44a-eed5-4434-9c2c-cc86c0bf61ee&

Oil question?

The following short film explains very well what is socio-economically going on in and around the Virunga National Park. It is basically the choice between allowing extractive industries versus developing sustainable business cases benefitting local communities and protecting the Park:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_kY03aK2TI

Gorilla Bar Dark chocolate

Gorilla Bar Milk chocolate

Gorilla Bars (NL)

For the Dutch (especially Haagsche – that’s where most selling points are) readers:

Please check out the delicious “Gorilla Bars” of the “Chocolate Makers”. Made of Virunga cacao (37% or 68%). www.chocolatemakers.nl

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“Virunga” documentary by Orlando von Einsiedel

Great news for Orlando von Einsiedel’s amazing documentary “Virunga”:

The 2014 Tribeca Fim Festival just announced the twelve non-fiction films that will participate in this year’s World Documentary Competition and “Virunga” is one of them!

http://tribecafilm.com/stories/tribeca-film-festival-documentaries-2014

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“While the threats to wildlife are great, we can reduce them through our collective efforts. On this inaugural World Wildlife Day, I urge all sectors of society to end illegal wildlife trafficking and commit to trading and using wild plants and animals sustainably and equitably”

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Source: http://www.un.org/en/events/wildlifeday/