
The Gambia



Our Mission and Vision
Through global seminars, small group meetings, and working on a collaborative project for the Gunjur Conservationists and Ecotourism Association (CETAG) and The Gunjur Project Association you’ll learn about environmental and global health realities in The Gambia; the important role the humanities, arts, and social sciences can play not just in producing solutions to environmental problems but in understanding how those problems emerged; how NGOs, government agencies, and communities are working collaboratively to address sustainable development challenges to achieve the SDGs in The Gambia; and you will gain hands-on experience through a 3 week in-country field experience in The Gambia.
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The Collaboratory is a not-for-credit program offered by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement in partnership with The Gunjur Project Association and CETAG.


Meet The Team

Columbia Collaboratory
Dr. Shannon Marquez
Columbia University Global Engagement Dean

Columbia Collaboratory
Babucarr Faal
Artist & Community Leader

The Gunjur Project Lodge
Jenny Ringstead
Coordinator

Gunjur Conservationists & Ecotourism Association (CETAG)
Ahmed Manjang
Activist

Gunjur Conservationists & Ecotourism Association (CETAG)
Lamin Jassey
Activist
Our Projects
Empowering Change
Our programs aim to drive change by supporting environmental health and humanities initiatives, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and promoting sustainable solutions.
Mapping Opportunities for Ecotourism
By documenting local attractions and community initiatives, students worked to create a sustainable tourism site map highlighting ecotourism opportunities in The Gambia.
Turning Waste into Opportunity
Students collaborated with local partners to explore creative solutions for discarded fishing nets and their impact on coastal communities.
Documenting Environmental Degradation
Through site visits, photography, and drone footage, they supported community-led efforts to better understand the effects of mining on the local environment.
Encouraging Young Minds
Students created a children's book to encourage reading, creativity, and environmental awareness among young learners.







