SUPPORTING THE TREKKING INDUSTRY: UIAA TO HELP ESTABLISH A MOUNTAIN WORKER INITIATIVE

DRAFT. NOT FOR RELEASE.

In response to the growing issues faced by mountain workers and guides in the trekking and mountaineering industry, a situation further exacerbated by the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the UIAA – International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation – is establishing a Mountain Worker Initiative (MWI).

The MWI, guided by the UIAA Mountaineering Commission (MountCom), includes representatives from the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). The idea to form this initiative is inspired by the agency behind The Porter: The Untold Story on Everest.

The MWI will first seek to establish and disseminate guidelines for ethical trekking, mountaineering and company outfitters worldwide, beginning with a collaborative effort at Everest and throughout Nepal with the NMA and TAAN. These guidelines and practices will be made available via the MWI website page and adapted to fit the requirements of different countries and regions as the initiative progresses.

Recently, the documentary film The Porter: The Untold Story at Everest which follows a young, privileged American who attempts to work as a Himalayan Porter but experiences the harrowing issues of Mountain tourism instead, highlights the conditions the MWI group hopes to alleviate globally and serves as a educational tool for the initiative.

THE PORTER: THE UNTOLD STORY AT EVEREST

MOUNTAIN NETWORK SERIES

To mark the launch of the MWI, the UIAA will host a special online event, the first in its new Mountain Network Series of webinars. The first event will feature a screening of The Porter: The Untold Story at Everest followed by a Panel Q&A. It is scheduled for Friday 19 March. Further details will follow shortly. The event will be free of charge.

CALENDAR OF OTHER EVENTS & HOW TO REGISTER/SAVE THE DATA/LINK TO VIEW ADDED SHORTLY

DATE OF FIRST WEBINAR TBC

FUNDRAISING

The UIAA has created a facility to help raise funds for the MWI project, where all contributions will go directly to the Mountain Worker Initiative cause. 100% of all donations will be committed towards creating guidelines for ethical trekking and social program proposals for mountain workers. The MWI, currently defining its objectives and mission, and through MountCom will provide regular updates on where any donation funds will be directed and the progress of its projects.

FUNDRAISING LINK TO BE ADDED SHORTLY

MICROSITE/WEBSITE PAGE FOR PROJECT TO BE ADDED SHORTLY

Photo credit: UIAA/Steve Long