CONSERVATION

Cultural Exchange Programme

Since 2014, many people from all over the world have volunteered their time from three months to three years, helping in all aspects of the biosphere reserve and its vast range of projects.

These volunteers experience many different cultures amongst their own group and the local community. Many keep in contact, remain friends and continue to support the biosphere once they return to their home countries. They become part of the extended Biosphere family.

The volunteers range from school-leavers to highly qualified researchers. A number have created new projects for the Biosphere.

Once a year, about twenty-five students and teachers come on a three-week CWBR cultural, adventure and biodiversity experience at locations throughout the Western Cape and Biosphere.

Due to travel restrictions since 2020, the CWBR has expanded this project and introduced opportunities for cross-cultural online workshops and discussions between local communities, researchers, the CWBR Youth Board, and overseas students and partners. To foster innovative thinking and knowledge exchange in relation to Biosphere STG’s, effective transmission of education, fundraising methodologies, and project development.

The first one took place in November 2020 between the CWBR Youth Board and students attending Athénée School in Luxembourg.