Students to represent Federation at Conference in Cook Islands
By Melissa Bryant
Reporter~SKNVibes.com
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Makeila Armstrong, Markysa O’Loughlin and Jherez Taylor
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THREE students from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) Small Islands Voice (SIV) will be representing St. Kitts and Nevis at a UNESCO Participation Programme in the Cook Islands from October 27 to November 1.
The three representatives, Makeila Armstrong, Markysa O’Loughlin and Jherez Taylor who were chosen because of their experience in the SIV programme, will have the opportunity to display the Federation’s culture and to discuss issues relevant to the development of small island states.
According to Gary Morian, a coordinator for SIV, the students are well-versed in the issues that would be discussed, and are prepared to “to face the rigours of thorough discussion, such as how their proposals can be sustained and implemented”.
“They have shown lots of pride during their preparation and they really want to demonstrate their love for St. Kitts and Nevis and the entire Caribbean,” Morian said.
The students have a variety of planned performances, including poetry, singing, dancing and a steel pan number. Their presentation will also include a history of the Caribbean, including the pre and post-emancipation eras as well as the current era.
According to Morian, the delegates would meet with other youth representatives to exchange experiences about sustainable island living, visit sites of interest on the Rarotonga and Aitutaki Islands, and meet with the Cook Islands National Youth Council to plan a joint activity that they could implement in their respective countries one year after the visit.
He also noted that upon their return, the representatives would share their experiences with the local SIV group and students from the Federation’s secondary schools. Morian stated that the conference was in keeping with the objectives of SIV.
“SIV was established to give young people a greater stake in the kind of lifestyles that they want to see in the future and the [Participation Programme] is another way for youth to lend their voice to issues that affect the development of small island states.”
