Djaienti Hindori has stepped down as chair of the Tropenbos Suriname (TBS) foundation. Rick van Ravenswaay has taken over the gavel. Sylvia Ang has been welcomed as a new board member. She is treasurer and Farzia Hausil is secretary. The new board will continue the course set and will further profile the organization as an important green NGO in Suriname, with a keen eye for the balance between forest use and forest conservation.
Until 2016, Tropenbos Suriname (TBS) was a country program of Tropenbos International. In that year, the step was taken to transform TBS into a fully independent organization. Hindori was the first chair of Tropenbos Suriname in its fully Surinamese form. Upon her departure, she received a certificate as a token of appreciation for her efforts as chair of the foundation board for eight years. With patience and dedication, she contributed to the construction of a robust management structure and gave direction to the organization.
TBS is a knowledge-based, non-governmental organization committed to sustainable forest management and conservation. The organization focuses on knowledge development, capacity building and organizational strengthening. As a knowledge broker, TBS translates relevant information into actions and policies, with the aim of improving landscape management, governance, trade and financial practices.
Since its establishment in 2003 as a program component of Tropenbos International (Netherlands), TBS has developed into one of the important green NGOs in Suriname. In 2017, all country programs were transformed into independent network organizations. The focus is mainly on the southern part of Suriname, in the districts of Para, Brokopondo and Sipaliwini. TBS has recently intensified its activities, including additional training in agroforestry. In addition, TBS works closely with the Association of Saamaka Communities to strengthen the capacity of local communities and prepare them for land rights.
