AMBASSADOR VISITS VALDIVIA, SPEAKS AT CONSERVATION FINANCE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000199

SIPDIS

STATE FOR WHA/BSC, WHA/EPSC AND OES/ENV

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECON SENV ENRG PGOV TRGY CI

SUBJECT: AMBASSADOR VISITS VALDIVIA, SPEAKS AT CONSERVATION FINANCE
CONFERENCE


1. Summary: The Ambassador recently visited Valdivia -- a forestry
and scientific research hub in southern Chile -- to deliver remarks
at the closing session of a Harvard-affiliated conference,
"Conservation Capital in the Americas," at the Universidad Austral.
In his first visit to the recently-designated XIV region, the
Ambassador met with the Intendente, Mayor, a provincial development
agency, and toured a world-class Millennium Science Institution. At
the U.S.-Embassy supported American Corner in Valdivia -- one of the
most dynamic in Chile
-- the Ambassador spoke with Chilean students learning English in a
TOEFL program organized by the Corner's Coordinator. The
Ambassador's trip, which received favorable print and TV coverage,
helped advance our scientific and environmental agenda as well as
improve outreach to a less traveled area of Chile. End Summary.


2. In his first visit to the Valdivia region, the Ambassador
addressed a Universidad Austral-hosted conference, "Conservation
Capital in the Americas," on January 17-19. The three-day
conference brought together conservation practitioners, educators,
and students from developed and developing countries across North,
Central, and South America to discuss effective practices and
emerging innovations for financing conservation. The conference
organizers, among them the David Rockefeller Center for Latin
American Studies at Harvard University and Harvard's Program on
Conservation Innovation, are compiling the conference materials and
proceedings into a book. Organizers have asked the Ambassador to
contribute to the book's forward.


3. On the final night of the conference, the Ambassador addressed
approximately 120 conference attendees and members of the public,
focusing on the progress the United States has made over the last 40
years on environmental protection and conservation and the new
administration's commitment to these priorities. The audience
clapped and cheered as he expressed his own excitement over the
highly anticipated "Green Administration" ushered in by the new U.S.
President.


4. The Ambassador also met with Alcalde Bernardo Berger of Valdivia
and Intendente Ivan Flores of Region XIV (Los Rios),attended a
dinner with Rector Victor Cubillos Godoy of Unviersidad Austral, met
with scientific researchers from the Millennium Science
Institution's "Centro de Estudios Cientificos" (which he also
toured),and met with the President and Director of CODEPROVAL -- a
non-profit development agency in Valdivia and contractor for CORFO,
the Chilean Economic Development Agency. The Ambassador discussed
mostly local concerns and issues and explored opportunities for
further Embassy cooperation.


5. In a visit to the Embassy-supported American Corner (AC) located
in the Universidad Austral, the Ambassador had the occasion to speak
with several students. Of all of the ACs in Chile, the AC in
Valdivia is one of the most dynamic, creatively utilizing scarce
resources. Valdivia AC Coordinator Ivet Parra has done an excellent
job conducting a wide range of programs at the University. For
example, she personally organized and secured funds for a series of
TOEFL courses at the AC. One of these courses began on the day of
the Ambassador's visit and he was able to meet with the 25 new
students and their instructor.


6. The Ambassador's visit to Valdivia received very favorable media
coverage, advancing the mission's goal of expanding public outreach
to more remote locations within Chile. He conducted several
interviews with the local press, including El Diario Austral (the
region's daily newspaper) and local TV (a CNN affiliate).


7. Comment: With its world-class research institute, Valdivia is
becoming an increasingly important center for environmental,
glacier, and forestry research. The Ambassador's visit helped
bolster Embassy efforts to expand scientific and research
cooperation in Valdivia and support the American Corner, which has
done an outstanding job promoting U.S.-related activities since its
establishment nearly three years ago. Later this month, the U.S.
Forestry Service will visit Valdivia and the Austral University for
a series of meetings and field excursions related to Long-Term
Ecological Research, including visits to nearby volcanic activity
sites, such as Chaiten, and sharing U.S. experiences related to
Mount St. Helens in Washington State.

SIMONS