THE GREEN EXPEDITION CompAny - uk and USA Staff

The start of the EthicAl Not for Profit :

The inspiration for Greenforce came from the Earth Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. This was the first global recognition of the urgent need to preserve the diversity of life on earth, culminating in a resolve of 168 countries to undertake bio diversity surveys of their "at risk" regions.

Section 3c states that if the host country does not have the resource to undertake this work then an international aid organization would be invited in by the host country. Greenforce is one of those organisations.

Working at the request of the host country

There is not the financial backing to protect all areas. Protected zones, National or Marine Parks must survive economically as well as environmentally.

Greenforce therefore works along side the local people to develop a long term sustainable action plan. We aim to ensure that when Greenforce leaves a region the future of that region will continue in balance between nature and human needs.

CARBON NEUTRAL

We feel that with all the air travel that is necessary to participate in our global adventures, it is responsible for us to take measures to balance out the CO2 produced, thus ensuring suitable rainforest is planted to equal or exceed the CO2 emissions. We only have a positive impact on our environment.

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT - COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Creating a protected habitat must also involve the local community. We can no longer rely on external aid to provide support for a region. The development plan must incorporate an income earning element to support the local infrastructure.

To this end Greenforce will typically include training so the local people, will benefit from the positive impact that Greenforce volunteers will make in the region - whether it be teaching, sport aid or full conservation programs.

BRITISH STAFF IN COUNTRY

As one of the leading gap year and career break providers we utilise external safety and security guidelines.

Advice from the UK Foreign and Commonwealth office, backed up by the advantage of having Greenforce staff permanently positioned in the field ensure that although greater risks are evident in all our locations the level of risk is reduced where possible. This is reflected by our positive safety record.

GREENFORCE IS A MEMBER OF:

• National Association of Foreign Student Advisors (NAFSA)
• United Nations General Assembly - Link Member
• Year Out Group (YOG) - view Code of Practice.
• Foreign and Commonwealth Office - Know Before You Go
• Marine Conservation Society
• World Conservation Union (IUCN)
• National Council For Voluntary Organisations (NCVO)
• Fellows of the Royal Geographical Society - Senior Staff (RGS)
• International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA)
• BSI - Venture provided by Greenforce to BS8848 Specifications for the provision of visits, field work, expeditions and adventurous activities outside the UK. Self declared.