Global Awareness Institute (GAI)

Cause Area

  • Animals
  • Board Development
  • Education & Literacy
  • Environment
  • International

Location

2208 S.E. 20th StreetFort Lauderdale, FL 33316 United States
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Organization Information

Mission Statement

GAI was founded in 1997 on the proposition that the battle to save the planet must be fought on two fronts: From within the threatened rainforests of the world and
by affecting those whose lifestyles most imperil it.

GAI is protecting the environment and humanity within a non- governmental framework.

GAI is working to make local industry a sustainable development base.

GAI is making education the bridge between local industry and the global economy.

GAI's goals are to promote hemispheric cooperation and broader understanding of sustainable development by:

Developing programs and projects to encourage students, institutions and the private sector to participate in joint ventures with local communities.

Maintaining and expanding our research and project sites in
the Amazon rainforest and Belize.

Saving tropical forests and wildlife through sustainable development.

Description

GAI's goals are to promote hemispheric cooperation and broader understanding of sustainable development by:
• Developing programs and projects to encourage students, institutions and the private sector to participate in
joint international problem-solving ventures;
• Establishing and maintaining land and animal preserves in fragile areas of the world;
• Designing and supporting sustainable industries that encourage preservation of rainforests and the species
they support by benefiting local communities.

Current Projects
GAI has two on going projects: GAI Selva and GAI Maya.

GAI Selva GAI Selva is a 92-acre research institute and animal/ plant preserve located on the Amazon River in Peru. The facility hosts seminars, workshops and conferences; supports the planning and
development of sustainable projects; and coordinates projects that benefit local economies.

A primary focus of the GAI Selva project is the development of medicinal plants and medicines as a sustainable industry. To that end, GAI works closely with local and national Peruvian research institutes; conducts work-shops, seminars, and conferences for students, faculty, and professionals in the field of Pharmacy; and conducts informational workshops on medicinal plants and natural medicine for the general public. It supports the creation of women’s cooperatives for the gardening and gathering of medicinal plants; maintains a network of local shamans and clinics that offer natural medicinal cures; and is striving to create the means by which medicinal plant products
can be processed and marketed by local cooperatives.

In addition, the GAI Selva reserve houses an animal rescue center to protect species from abuse and extinction and a medicinal plant garden and plantation.

GAI Maya
GAI Maya is the Institute’s newest project. It is a 54-acre preserve located in the heart of Western Belize. Its highly endangered status makes it a top priority for sustainable development. In addition to projects and facilities similar to those of GAI Selva, GAI Maya houses a residential geo-community, Iguana Creek , for its supporters.

This is the only GAI project that presently accepts volunteers.

Reviews

Would you recommend Global Awareness Institute (GAI)?
1 review Write a review
by Lori G. (2012-07-03 17:48:00.0)
I expected to go to the Amazon for the purpose of discovering what we in the pharmacy world can do and use to make better and more natural products for our patients. Instead, I discovered that this trip was completely unorganized and the "leaders" couldn't have cared less about their students. It is unfortunate that what could have been the greatest experiences of our lives turned into a completely unprepared trip. Here's a tip to anyone who is thinking of partaking in this "adventure": find an organization who actually cares about its students and who has legitimate leaders that not only teach, but practice what they teach on a daily basis. Then, you will not only experience something amazing, but you will also not regret wasting thousands of dollars on an irrelevant trip!
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