Nassau, The Bahamas – The Bahamas will be the venue for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) conference on the effects of climate change. The conference will be held September 21 – 23 at the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort. The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 13, during a press conference held at the Ministry of Education Scholarship Division office.
Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education, Mrs. Elma Garraway, said the three-day meeting is an important one that will enable individuals to make informed decisions.
“We are honoured that UNESCO has seen fit to host this conference here which is expected to attract nearly 100 international delegates including several Heads of States of various countries,” said Mrs. Garraway.
The conference will allow UNESCO to build upon and further its objectives on climate change education for sustainable development as well as recommendation from the International Seminar on Climate Change Education in SIDS, organised in Paris in 2009.
Another objective of the meeting is to develop a road map to guide and promote education as a vehicle to enhance adaptation to climate change in the context of sustainable development.
Also bringing remarks at the press conference was Director of the Bahamas Environment Science & Technology) Commission (BEST), Mr. Philip Weech, who said The Bahamas is one of the ‘most studied’ countries in the world as it pertains to climate change. Mr. Weech extended an invitation to all living in The Bahamas to attend the conference.
The meeting will bring together approximately 85 participants inclusive of five Heads of State. It will include national education representatives, curriculum development experts and representatives of school and education networks, scientists and climate change experts. Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. Hubert A. Ingraham and Minister of Education, the Hon. T. Desmond Bannister are expected to address the conference at the opening ceremony on September 21. In addition, President of the 35th General Session of UNESCO, Dr. Davidson Hepburn and American actor Forrest Whitaker are expected to be in attendance.
By Betty Vedrine
Bahamas Information Services
