Location London, UK | ||
Founded 13 December 1983;
33 years ago (1983-12-13) – as “A Rocha Trust” Founder Miranda and Peter Harris Type environmental NGO network Focus science and research, practical conservation and environmental education Origins Constituted in the UK; first project in Portugal |
A Rocha is an international network of environmental organizations with a Christian ethos. A Rocha, which means "the rock" in Portuguese (see entry Rocha), was founded in Portugal in 1983 by Anglican minister Peter Harris and his wife Miranda.
Contents
Organization
The organization network is constituted by A Rocha International (ARI), as a supporting body, and other organizations, which can be National Organizations or Associated Projects. Each organization is independent.
As of 2016, A Rocha is working in 20 countries: Australia, Brazil, Canada, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ghana, India, Kenya, Lebanon, Netherlands, New Zealand/Aotearoa, Nigeria, Peru, Portugal, South Africa, Switzerland, Uganda, United Kingdom, and United States. There are ongoing conversations with other potential groups around the world.
A Rocha’s modus operandi is based on five guiding principles: Christian, Conservation, Community, Cooperation, and Cross-Cultural.
Work
A Rocha aims to protect the environment through local, community-based conservation, scientific research, and environmental education, and they have “a track record of successes”.
A Rocha operates field study centres in Canada (two centres), France (two centres), India, Kenya, Portugal and also in the Czech Republic. These serve primarily as a base for A Rocha’s and other organizations’ field studies and for environmental education, and most also offer accommodation for visitors.
Areas of A Rocha’s work include:
A Rocha also serves as an Erasmus+ / European Voluntary Service agency in France, the Netherlands and Portugal.