CFBC, UNESCO Empowering Youth to be Ambassadors for Climate Change
(ZIZ News) – The Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College (CFBC) and the National Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) are working together to empower young people to become ambassadors for climate change.
The program was launched on Friday under the theme “Exploring and Understanding the Basic Science and Social Impacts of Climate Change through Education for Sustainable Development”.
Delivering the project overview, Director of Employee and Program Development at CFBC, Dr. Leighton Naraine said the goal is to involve youth in issues about climate change and the environment through practical sessions including debates.
“They’ll be debating these views locally, regionally and globally through internet based platforms. They’ll be encouraging young islanders from SIDS to discuss environment and development issues among themselves using those technologies. They will also identify key issues emerging from climate change debates and channeling them back for appropriate action with their contemporaries, their parents, grandparents and other people in their communities,” he explained.
Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Antonio Maynard noted that climate change is the biggest threat to the planet. He said the project will cover numerous topics surrounding the issue.
“Activities involve a strict focus on several areas involved including climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable consumption. It also requires practical teaching and learning methods that motivate and empower learners, especially students to change their behavior and take action for sustainable development and climate change,” he said.
Minister of Education, the Hon. Shawn Richards said young people are key to changing perceptions about climate change. He also commended UNESCO for spearheading the initiative.
He said, “We have to use the youth to reach their peers with this critical message of climate change and sustainable development. 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 the subject of climate change among other initiatives for the development of the Federation, the Caribbean, and Small Island Developing States.”
The UNESCO Youth Ambassadors for Climate Change will also engage the public through the use of surveys and other activities in which individuals can share their thoughts about climate change.