Deputy Prime Minister Condor stresses importance of building
human and institutional capacities at UNESCO Conference in Paris
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| St. Kitts and Nevis delegation at the UNESCO Conference (left to right) Honorary Counsul in Paris, France, Doyle; St. Kitts and Nevis D eputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, Hon. Sam Condor and St. Kitts and Nevis Secretary General, Mr. Antonio Maynard |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, OCTOBER 18TH 2007 (CUOPM) – St. Kitts and Nevis’ Deputy Prime Minister Hon. Sam Condor has told the 34th Session of the UNESCO General Conference, that the socio-economic transformation that the twin-island Federation is undergoing, is, in great measure, as a result of globalization, coupled with the geographical insularity and remoteness, associated with Small Island Developing States.
“This has succinctly placed our citizens at a competitive disadvantage, with the rest of the world,” Mr. Condor told the Meeting taking place in Paris, France.
He also used the occasion to stress the importance of building human and institutional capacities, in all of UNESCO’s areas of competency, to empower Member States to respond to the multi-dimensional and contemporary challenges they face; including the challenge of building Knowledge- Based- Societies.
Mr. Condor told delegates from around the world that the success at transformation will materialize with adequate and relevant reform in education and the related institutions and St. Kitts and Nevis is depending on the capacity-building expertise from International Agencies, such as UNESCO.
“Your strategic emphasis on Educational Policy, which must be fully consistent with the MDG’s (Millennium Development Goals) is therefore welcomed as an integral part of my country’s evolving Development Plan,” said Deputy Prime Minister Condor, who added that quality education remains a high priority on the St. Kitts-Nevis Labour Party Government’s agenda, to fuel local economic stability and enhanced social mobility.
~~Adz:Right~~ “We are therefore pleased to note that “Quality Education for All” is at the centre of the medium-term goals in your over-arching objectives, and is also enshrined in the Strategic Programme Objectives,” said Mr. Condor.
He said there is a clear consensus at all levels in St. Kitts and Nevis, that if “we are to survive and prosper in a changing world, an efficient system that delivers a sound, high-quality education, is an absolute necessity for us, as a Small Island Developing State.”
Deputy Prime Minister Condor said it was evident, that St. Kitts and Nevis is negotiating challenging times and need all the assistance and innovations that could be afforded a small nation.
“We believe strongly, that the National Commission in St. Kitts and Nevis and the UNESCO experts in Paris have a critical role to play, in communicating this priority, at the Trans-National level. We graciously accept your commitment to serve,” said Mr. Condor, who said the twin-island Federation was determined that at home, “UNESCO is seen as a major player in the development of our people.”
“I believe however, that there is need to enhance the level of networking and partnership-building, between our National Commission and UNESCO Headquarters, if we are to facilitate and improve on the knowledge-sharing and the dissemination of UNESCO’s programmes, at all levels of civil society,” said Mr. Condor.
St. Kitts and Nevis he said recognises UNESCO’s emphasis on the value of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in Poverty Eradication, and Enhanced Learning and Education at all levels and is of the view that the time has come for UNESCO to extend this philosophy, in addressing the needs of disadvantaged, remote-based and marginalised populations.
~~Adz:Left~~ He said special attention must now be afforded the Least Developed Countries, (LDC) and the Small Island Developing States (SIDS), toward building more robust prevention and mitigation mechanisms, associated with natural disasters.
“This is especially imperative in our Region, where we are continuously exposed to the negative impact of Global Warming and Climate Change, which frequently result in massive environment damages, caused by rising sea levels, Hurricanes, and flooding,” said Deputy Prime Minister Condor.
He said all of those areas fall within the key competencies of UNESCO, on which the organisation delivers capacity building assistance to St. Kitts and Nevis, under the auspices of the Participation Programme.
Mr. Condor said the St. Kitts and Nevis Government is of the view that UNESCO should seek to reinforce International Cooperation, and to cultivate partnerships among the various stakeholders, in its different arenas of competence, operating at the Global, Regional, Sub- regional and Local Level.
“I would like also, to stress the importance of building human and institutional capacities, in all of UNESCO’s areas of competency, to empower Member States to respond to the multi-dimensional and contemporary challenges they face; including the challenge of building Knowledge- Based- Societies,” said Mr. Condor, who added that St. Kitts and Nevis applauds the activities and outputs of UNESCO, mindful of the fact that “we have benefited tremendously from our membership of, and our association with, this highly-regarded International Organisation.”
“We nevertheless believe that more could be derived from the use of wise best practices, promulgated by UNESCO, so as to enable us to further our economic and social development. We rest assured that UNESCO will rise to these challenges, as it has so ably done in the past,” concluded Deputy Prime Minister Condor.
