Description

ECOPARKS/BIOCENTERS are proposed as Sustainable Development Incubators at local level, aiming towards and adaptive and flexible model of Sustainability of Vulnerable & Fragile Ecosystems in the Developing World.
They foster “start-up” or “spin-off” socio-economic actions by best using local resources and training of Local & Regional Governments, Entrepreneurs and Population (Recycling, Renewable Energies generation, Environmental Economy, Sustainable Building, Eco tourism, Sericulture, Aquaculture, Non Timber Forest products, etc), increasing the economic and, consequently, social welfare in local Communities trough employment, eco-business, worker’s cooperatives and the development of a culture of conservation and preservation of natural environments.
We are talking about a replica concept that can be promoted in any part of the world by adapting it to local conditions (tropical rain forest, desert... degraded urban settlements). Sustainability, a Global issue; places the choice of the end of civilization as we know it or on the other hand investing in the preservation of the planet and its human hosts using available resources on new terms (equity and international network cooperation)
Strategy stress a "blended approach" (using the analogy of the acquired concept in distant education: "blended learning", on-line + traditional face-to-face) for development cooperation through "on site facilities" (Centers of Excellence as Eco Business Incubators), together with innovative flagship virtual on-line training tools and environments, targeting "digital divide" and supporting others to take action to disseminate sustainable “Best Practices”. This will trigger the transition from “Basic Education” towards “Education for Sustainable Development; therefore a shift from resources depredation, championed by neo-liberal economic theories, towards natural environment preservation through alternative sustainable and equitable economic models and policies.