|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Facilitators, stakeholders and Youth PATH participants from St. Kitts and Nevis assembled at the St. Paul's Community Centre on Saturday 6th May 2006, where a general consultation, orientation and training for the UNESCO Youth PATH project took place. Saturday's activities began with a brief opening ceremony chaired by Project Coordinator Mutryce A. Williams.
The national anthem was rendered by Youth PATH participant Yannick Mills. Father Derek Sawyer of the St. Paul's Anglican Church did the invocation. Mr. Winston Lake, former Manager of the Belmont Estate gave an overview of the history of the Belmont Estate and its surrounding areas. Belmont Estate is one of the heritage sites chosen in St. Kitts for the Youth PATH project, the
other being Black Rocks.
Mr. John Guilbert, Coordinator Youth PATH Nevis gave an overview of the Nevisian heritage village. The Nevisian heritage village largely depicts the evolution of Nevisian social history through housing. The houses, dating from the Carib Indian era, are replicas and are furnished with antiques and relics of their relevant periods. Mr. Lake and Mr. Guilbert spoke about the intangible and tangible aspects of the heritage sites.
The feature presentation "Heritage, Culture and the Impact on Tourism," was delivered by cultural preservationist Mr. Winston "Zack" Nisbett founder and curator of the Edgar Challenger International Museum. Mr. Nisbett spoke on the integral role that Kittitian and Nevisian heritage plays in the creation and sustainability of a superior tourism product.
He said that Kittitian and Nevis heritage is unique and informed that with this realization, natives should seek avenues to capitalize on it. Mr. Nisbett in addressing the participants said that perseverance and motivation is vital to their success. In keeping with one of Youth PATH's main objectives Mr. Nisbett asked participants to consider entrepreneurship was a viable career option. The vote of thanks was done by Mrs. Janette Nisbett-Meloney, Committee Member of the Youth PATH Advisory Board.
After the ceremony concluded the facilitators and participants were divided into two groups. Youth PATH participants from St. Kitts and Nevis underwent training in the dynamics of team building and teamwork. This training exercise was facilitated by Junie Hodge. UNESCO Secretary General for the St. Kitts and Nevis National Commission Mr. Antonio Maynard, the facilitators for Youth PATH's Module I, Emile Pemberton, Winston "Zack" Nisbett, John Guilbert, Julie Gumbs, Beulah Mills, Annie Fontaine, Celia Christopher, Patricia Williams, Eugenie Williams, Janette Nisbett-Meloney, Janelle Lewis, Carla Berridge, Daven Francis, Teslyn Simmonds, Clive Saunders and Project Coordinator for Youth PATH Mutryce Williams dialogued about the project.
Youth PATH is a UNESCO initiative that targets 15-25 year old young persons to optimize economic opportunities, create socio-economic empowerment and enhance the value of sustainable heritage tourism sites.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
