In February 2006 we have been visited by a group of 16 students with their professors from the economic faculty of the University of Virginia (UVA). The voyage was themed "The Business of Saving Nature".
For the 12-days journey we had organized a very diversified program, which included, amongst others, visits and lectures with governmental agencies such as the SDS (Secretariat for Sustainable Development in Amazonia) in Manaus, the CTA – Center for Environmental Technology of the Federal State of Rio de Janeiro, and Natura, a fast growing company producing natural cosmetics, in São Paulo. During a three-day-boat trip, on the Amazonas and Rio Negro rivers, cabóclo settlements involved in sustainable development activities have been visited. Fascinating wildlife observations and nature activities aside, the tour provided the young people with an inside view of nature conservation activities in an environment that is of significant importance for the planets health.
On top of the informative part the group, of course, would not miss out on other typical Brazilian attractions like world famous drink Caipirinha, Churrasco, Copacabana beach, Corcovado mountain. It was a great experience. The group learned a lot and had a great time. The return flight to the cold USA therefore was felt as a necessary evil.