(CARICOM Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) Young people representing 18 Caribbean Community countries, on Sunday, participated in a symbolic tree-planting exercise in Haiti, as part of a four-day Caribbean Youth Exchange programme, which started on Thursday 9 July, 2009.  The Programme was funded by the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development (AECID) with support from the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Civic Action, Haiti.

Approximately 57 trees were planted at the Sports Development Centre at Croix de Bouquet, on what is now named the CARICOM Pathway, as a symbol of solidarity with Haiti.

Of the 57 trees planted, twenty represented the 15 Member States and five, the Associate Members which comprise the Caribbean Community, while one represented CARICOM.

Commenting on its significance, CARICOM Assistant Secretary-General Dr Edward Greene, who witnessed the exercise, remarked that it was an indication of the spirit and goodwill of the rest of the Community towards Haiti.

“As the trees begin to blossom and flower, so too should the spirit of hope blossom for Haiti, as the country prepares to participate in the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, (CSME),” he said.

As a precursory step towards full participation in the CSME, Haiti is expected to participate in trade in goods with other Member States by January 1, 2010.

Dr Greene added that the planting of trees also signaled Haiti’s commitment to the battle against Climate Change by highlighting the importance of trees and vegetation to the survival of the environment.

Dr Hilary Brown, CARICOM Secretariat’s Programme Manager for Culture and Community Development also underscored the importance of the exercise, noting that literally it augured very well for the environment in the wake of serious deforestation in Haiti and therefore a symbol of regeneration and rebirth both for the environment and for Haiti as that country continued to asserts its place full within the Caribbean Community.

“It speaks to the goodwill of the Community towards Haiti,” she added.

The Youth Exchange was organized by the CARICOM Secretariat under the theme Youth – Making the Caribbean and brought together young people from 12 Member States and five Associate Members to promote Caribbean cultural identity; heighten awareness of issues relating to regional integration and to sensitise participants to the research findings of the CARICOM Commission on Youth Development.

Over the four days, the youth delegates participated in a variety of activities which included information sharing; a Caribbean culture night; community interventions and business sessions.