EduFest 2015

In commemoration of Cancer Awareness Month on Tuesday 6th and Wednesday 7th October, 2015 the Cancer Society of  Trinidad and Tobago (TTCS)  and Republic Bank Limited hosted an educational fair entitled "EduFest" to educate children about cancer and how to lead healthy lifestyles. 

EduFest 2015 was held at the St. John Ambulance Association and Brigade of Trinidad and Tobago in Port-of-Spain. There were a number of secondary schools and primary schools from across the country in attendance. The young people had the opportunity to visit and interact with several booths highlighting various types of cancers and ways they can protect themselves.

Every year the National Ozone Unit (NOU) of the Ministry of Planning and Development participates in the EduFest to educate students on the destruction of the ozone layer through releasing ozone depleting chemicals into the atmosphere and its direct link to increased incidences of skin cancer. 

This year was no exception with the NOU being represented by Ms. Neera Singh (Ozone Assistant) and Mr. Javed Lakhan and Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Analysts, Environmental Policy and Planning Division of the Ministry.

R-L: Ms. Gordon and Mr. Lakhan interacting with a group of  primary school children on October  6th, 2015.

L-R: Ms. Singh, Mr. Lakhan, Ms. Sherma Mills Serette (TTCS Representative) and Ms. Gordon at the end the second day of EduFest 2015.

Research Preparations for Secondary School Research

The Environmental Policy and Planning Division (EPPD) of the Ministry of Planning and Development were invited by the Environmental Sustainable School Programme (ESSP) Officer of Bishop Anstey High School East and Trinity College East to assist in the preparation of an in-house environmental debate which would be held in October, 2015.

On September 29th 2015, Ms. Candace Amoroso, Biodiversity Specialist and Ms. Anastasia Gordon, Environmental Policy Analyst of the EPPD gave a brief presentation on the benefits of biodiversity and the impacts of its loss. The students and the Ministry officials engaged in a rousing discussion on the Motion: Human Population is the single greatest threat to Biodiversity.

From L-R: Ms. Amoroso and Ms. Gordon showing students information in the National Wildlife Policy which could be used for their upcoming debate.

The students displayed a keen interest and knowledge on their selected topic. The schools were also presented with literature from the EPPD on our national biodiversity related policies for their shared library, along with posters to be displayed on the walls of their science laboratories. 

Ms. Sindy Singh and Ms. Candace Leung Woo-Gabriel, Research Analyst of the Multilateral Environmental Agreements Unit (MEAU), EPPD also visited the school for a presentation and discussion on Climate Change on September 30th, 2015. This fulfilled the request to assist the students in preparation for another motion of their upcoming debate. The motion asked for arguments for or against the question of whether (anthropogenic) climate change is a myth or scientific reality. The students were also given material produced by the MEAU and the National Climate Change Policy to add to their library.

 

Pilot Protected Area Member wins Tourism Service Business Excellence Award!

Nature Seekers, Co-Chair of the Matura Forest and coastal zone pilot protected area subcommittee, has been awarded the Tourism Service Business Excellence Award from the Trinidad Hotels, Restaurants and Tourism Association for 2015.  

The organisation won this prestigious award last year.  The award is given to recognise and celebrate outstanding performance in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry in Trinidad and Tobago. The Improving Forest and Protected Area Management (IFPAM) Project will build on experiences and lessons learned from key stakeholders like Nature Seekers to improve livelihoods of stakeholders who earn their living from forest and protected areas.  Congratulations to Nature Seekers!!!