Island youths countdown to Mauritius
7 July 2004

Tell us what is happening in your island?

With only 6 months until the 'Youth Visioning for Island Living' forum takes place in Mauritius, 7-12 January 2005, young people in small islands are becoming involved in various preparations.

Read below about some of the preparatory activities that are planned and have already taken place, and send us an email about what you are doing:

ALL ISLANDS Young people from Puerto Rico, Jamaica and Samoa have started discussing:
- life and love in islands: island lifestyles and cultures
- my island home: safeguarding island environments
- money in my pocket: economic and employment opportunities at the discussion board
And all island youth are encouraged to add their views

BAHAMAS In January 2004, the Youth Focus Bahamas event was held. This was a national youth consultation, the results of which were presented to the inter-regional Small Island Developing States preparatory meeting.

COOK ISLANDS A short item on Youth Visioning was shown on TV, and was advertised in the local press in March 2004, in order to identify participants for the Mauritius meeting

FIJI A small organising committee has been set up comprising persons from the Ministry of Finance, Department of Culture, University of the South Pacific, and Live and Learn Environmental Education to organise selection of youth delegates and preparatory activities.

In addition, the Pacific Concerns Resources Centre in Fiji has suggested that a Pacific forum for youth be held prior to the Mauritius meeting

SEYCHELLES The Youth Department is organizing discussion forums on the three themes:
- life and love in islands: island lifestyle and cultures on 7th August 2004
- my island home: safeguarding island environment on 4th September 2004
- money in my pocket: economic and employment on 2nd October 2004

ST KITTS & NEVIS An essay competition is being held during May-June on the theme 'Evaluate the environmental challenges and implications for the sustainable future of Small Island Developing States (SIDS)'. Winners will be selected to participate in the Youth Visioning for Island Living event in Mauritius in January 2005.

ST LUCIA A Youth Visioning organising committee has been established comprising the UNESCO National Commission, Ministry of Planning, Red Cross, and the Caribbean Youth Environment Network. This committee, together with UNESCO and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, are organizing a regional youth meeting entitled 'Youth Dialogue on Sustainable Development' in October/November 2004, to which youth from 15 English-speaking Caribbean islands will be invited.

ST VINCENT & THE GRENADINES Numerous activities include:
- 12 August 2004: a national conference will be held on the theme 'Youth Visioning for Island Living - Towards Mauritius in 2005' (an initiative of the Ministry of Education and Youth Affairs)
- 17 June 2004: A Town Hall meeting was held in Bequia to publicise the work of 'Youth in the Visioning Process for Island Living'
- May-June 2004: A Poetry Competition was held to highlight the involvement of youths
- 22-23 May 2004: A National Fisherman's Day Essay Competition and Beach Clean up campaign
- 7 May 2004: Public awareness seminar sponsored by JEMS Environmental Management Services that aimed to sensitise and educate members of community youth organizations on matters pertaining to the environment. Specific topics dealt with were biodiversity, ozone depletion and climate change.

ISLAND YOUTH ART COMPETITION An inter-regional art competition (for ages 9-23) will be held from mid-August to end October, with judging in November. Some of the winning entries will be displayed in Mauritius (an initiative involving UNESCO and the Department of Public Information at UN Headquarters) OFFICIAL LAUNCH TO COME IN AUGUST!

Please let us know of additional Youth Visioning activities happening in your islands.

See www.islandyouth.org for more details on the above activities