Attitude Change On Environmental Issues Fostered By Youth Ambassadors
Basseterre, St. Kitts, May 08, 2015 (SKNIS): Minister responsible for Education and UNESCO Honourable Shawn Richards has placed the onus of changing society’s attitude toward the care of the environment on the youth.
This was noted at the launching ceremony of the UNESCO Youth Ambassadors for Climate Change, on May 08. The minister noted that youth are “best positioned” to take on this task.
“We have to use the youth to reach their peers with this critical message of climate change and sustainable development,” Minister Richards stated. “It is in this regard that the government of St. Kitts and Nevis applauds the work of UNESCO in deploying expertise and competencies in policy formulation on subjects to do with climate change, among other initiatives for the development of the federation, the Caribbean and all small island developing states.”
Minister Richards also emphasized that in order for behavior to change there has to be a change in attitude and even a shift in values when it came to caring for the environment.
“This Youth Ambassadors for Climate Change project brings in sharp focus, in a practical way, the value of education as an integral mechanism in preparing our society for adaptation to climate change,” Minister Richards noted. “Through this project, we will achieve adaptive capacity not only for current generations but also for our future generations.”
Similarly, National Commission for UNESCO Secretary General Antonio Maynard revealed that the project would be initially implemented for 10 months with the expressed desire that it “fulfills one of the mandates of the Ministry of Education” and becomes a part of the formal curriculum. He expressed pride in Randel Thompson, a former member of the UNESCO Small Islands Voice (SIV) youth arm who is now a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Officer at the Fisheries Department. Mr. Thompson decided to go into that field because of his exposure to environmental issues in SIV.
The UNESCO Secretary General challenged the Youth Ambassadors for Climate Change to carry out their assigned role.
“I want to challenge the young persons here, the students – we see you as ambassadors for St. Kitts and of course for climate change and you have the opportunity to travel the world, make a positive impact and come back and make a contribution,” he said.
The Youth Ambassadors for Climate Change is divided into six modules of work and includes field work in the UNESCO St. Mary’s Biosphere Reserve in Keys-Cayon area.
You may also be interested in:
Stakeholders Engage in Consultations to Strengthen National Youth Policy
The Department of Youth Development and Sports, through its Youth Unit, has commenced a four-day series of half-day closed stakeholder consultations aimed at strengthening the development and...
Regional Workshop Strengthens Caribbean Capacity on Genetic Resources
Regional policymakers, scientists, and biodiversity experts gathered from March 3-5, 2026, at The University of the West Indies (UWI), St.
Statement by Hon. Dr. Joyelle Clarke, Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment, Climate Action and Constituency Empowerment of Saint Kitts and Nevis| High-Level Segment, 16th Meeting of the Conference of Parties of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity| Cali, Colombia| 30 October 2024
"The fight for biodiversity cannot be disentangled from the climate crisis. This is why our commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework is especially critical and why Saint KittsRelated Stories
CARICOM Ministers see COP28 as a test of the world’s commitment to the most vulnerable
MINISTERIAL STATEMENT COP28 is a milestone for the climate agenda.
Statement by Dr Carla N Barnett, Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), following the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27)
One week after the end of COP27, it is clear that the outcomes are mixed.