"
![]() |
| SIV National Coordinator Antonio Maynard gives remarks at launching ceremony. |
Basseterre, St. Kitts (June 8, 2004): Residents of Nevis, in particular young people have free access to the internet in order to discuss issues relevant to development and environment.
This was made possible by the establishment of a Small Islands Voice (SIV) Internet Centre at the Education Department, Marion Heights.
At the launch on May 28, 2004, SIV National Coordinator Mr. Antonio Maynard said that the Centre will be used to combine training and capacity building, with regular evaluation, to ensure the sustainability of the project.
He added that the internet access will enable persons in the Federation to exchange environmental and developmental similarities and differences with persons in Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean Region, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific.
![]() |
| SIV Conch Shells surf the internet at the new centre. |
The SIV National Coordinator also encouraged young people to take advantage of centre, noting the privileges enjoyed by the youth of the Federation noting that whereas St. Kitts and Nevis has a 99 percent literacy rate 862 million of the children in the world are illiterate.
Nevis Principal Education Officer Mrs. Lornette Manners officially opened the centre and noted the importance of the project.
She said that through internet-based programmes young islands can communicate and exchange ideas with their counterparts throughout the world. The participation of young people in the Back Chat programme was also supported.
While encouraging residents, in particular young persons without internet access to use the centre, Mrs. Manners also stated that the facility should not be considered a place to simply check e-mail but should be used specifically for SIV-related activities.
She said that there are regulations in place and urged all Internet Centre users to follow the guidelines.
![]() |
| SIV Conch Shells surf the internet at the new centre. |
The Nevis “Conch Shells,” who undertake the Back Chat programme also took the opportunity to release the first issue of their newsletter.
The “Conch Shells” consist of three students and a Programme Director/ Teacher from each of the high schools in St. Kitts and Nevis.
Coordinator of the Nevis SIV National Committee Mr. Halsted Byron said that each month the newsletter will focus on a different environment or development aspect and will include articles as well as rap and poetry. This month the focus is on crime and violence.
"
