I’m working with the Rainforest Alliance at their Washington DC office. This is my first time outside Madison in the US and I’m trying to take advantage of being in a new city, I explore the museums here after work. The RA office is located just one mile away from the National Mall, this is very helpful for my daily museum expeditions.

My project focuses on Accountability Framework, it is a collaborative effort by thirteen NGOs to help fulfill commitments for ethical agricultural and forestry supply chains. I am interested in this project because the supply chains of big corporations cause most of the damage in the forests of developing countries, hence, making them follow a standard guideline for stopping deforestation seems to be the most effective way to reduce our overall carbon emission while saving the home to several wildlife species.

The framework will be launched in Utrecht, Netherlands on June 12 and in Washington D.C. on June 19. My deliverables include creating communications products for the framework, researching the non deforestation policies and commitments made by big corporations and brainstorming how the uptake of the framework can be carried out by the companies. I will also support the launch of the framework here in D.C.

I am very excited about this placement. Everyone at the RA- DC office is very knowledgeable, friendly and ready to help with my project. Looking forward to having a great summer here in Washington D.C.