In order to create a forum where we can decide collectively what problems are most dire and in need of our attention in Mongolia, the Mongol Environmental Conservation project plans to operate a “Building a Sustainable Future for Mongolia” program.

This program will be launched with a Mongolia–United States exchange in 2010, which will help us produce reliable environmental and cultural background analysis. Through this exchange the MEC will be able to strengthen the capacity of existing local organizations and communities, mainly through extensive on-the-ground training. The MEC will collaborate with local partners and community representatives in the implementation of the exchange.

The MEC and our partners will coordinate a three-week program in Mongolia in the Fall of 2010, followed by a three-week program in the United States. The Mongolia portion of the exchange will include US-based experts, who will visit various regions that are facing water, desertification and climate change issues. Our experts will collect facts, build partnerships, and discuss remedial actions for addressing the environmental challenges facing each region.

For the second part of the exchange, in the winter of 2010, the MEC will host a team of Mongolian leaders and partners for training and further strategic planning in the western United States. During this three-week program, the MEC will expose our Mongolian colleagues to successful cases of environmental preservation in the United States. The MEC will also provide training on effective NGO management and community outreach during the exchange.

Please visit us again soon for the selected names of the experts and participants in the program and their in-country itineraries.