Territory joins the region to Launch the Geo Report

~~Adz:Right~~ Roadtown, Tortola -

A regional launch for the GEO Report was held in Grenada on November 1, 2008 and country launches will be held tomorrow in the 13 Caribbean countries with CYEN chapters. 

In the BVI, the launch will take place in the in ‘Breezeway’ of the Central Administration Complex at 12:30 p.m. 

Three of the Territory’s youth contributed to the report by sharing their environmental perspectives. Ms. Akilah Corbin and Mr. Kharlon Richardson submitted prose, while Mr. Dexter Penn contributed photographs.
Mr. Clyde Lettsome Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour spoke of the importance of having the youth involved and the significance of protecting the environment.

“I think we all know that the future of these islands is inextricably linked to the youth and I am especially pleased to note that we have young people who are interested in the environment, and who, I believe would encourage and influence their peers in this endeavour,” Mr. Lettsome said.

Scheduled to speak at the launch is the Chief Conservation and Fisheries Officer Mr. Bertrand Lettsome and Assistant Director of Youth Affairs Mrs. Persia Evelyn, following which presentations of the report will be made to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour, the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Library Services Department.  The environmental club of the Elmore Stoutt High School will also attend tomorrow’s launch.

Miss Lenette Lewis, the Territory’s CYEN coordinator, outlined in an interview with the Department of Information and Public Relations the intent of CYEN and the GEO report.

“The motto of the report is called a vision for change and it shows and encourages youth that we are here to make a difference and we are capable and have the strength and the ability to make changes if we want the environment to be here for future generations.”

The GEO report is part of the Global Environment Outlook programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) which is an integrated environmental assessment process that began in 1995.

The report is divided into three parts––the state of the environment in the Caribbean which includes, coastal and marine zones, forests, land and food and biodiversity; youth in action; and future outlook.
The youth component of the GEO project presents the environmental concerns and proposals of young people.  The report is the culmination of five years of work from more than 150 young people between the ages of 15 and 29 who described different environmental issues in their respective communities.  It showcases research, case studies, personal experiences and artistic contribution.

The Global Environment Outlook for youth in the Caribbean report aims to inspire youth to participate in environmental management programmes that will bring environmental issues to the forefront to development strategies in collaboration with other sectors of society and government.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Labour has endorsed the programme because it considers the involvement of young people in environmental management an essential part of achieving Government’s vision of protecting, managing and preserving the natural inheritance of the Virgin Islands.