Pretoria/Masebe Nature Reserve, South Africa – December 6-12, 2009

The first meeting of all Southern and Eastern Young Leaders Team members in South Africa gave everybody the chance to get to know eachother and discuss all individual research proposals. Furthermore the  location in Masebe Nature Reserve provided a wonderful opportunity to discuss sustainable tourism theories and practices with the help of a practical example, a real hands-on approach.

Here a short overview of the points on the program:

• Get-to-know eachother session
• Meeting with tribal council of tribes around Masebe Nature Reserve
• Presentation of research proposals (including feeback and discussion)
• Workshop on poverty alleviation (income for communities, perceptions, management and planning issues)
• Meeting with local community Induna
• Excursion to Moshuka and Gamathekga villages in the vicinity of Masebe Nature Reserve
• Excursion to Lapalala Wilderness School (website of Lapalala Nature Reserve with a short report on the visit of the Young Leaders)
  • presentations about environmental education, the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve and experiences from Selous Game Reserve, Tanzania
• Visit to the Apartheidmuseum in Johannesburg
• Reflection on experiences
• Reflection on the workshop and way forward

Until the next Young Leaders Seminar in 2010, the team members are asked to refine their research proposals and submit a research plan for their field work.