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Second
Regional Sandwatch Project Workshop, 7-9th July 2003
Seeking to
mobilize schools and sensitise young people to protect and preserve
the Caribbean Sea, the Sandwatch Project aims to train school
students in the scientific monitoring of beaches so that, together
with their communities, they can use this information to effectively
manage the region's beaches and to reduce the impact of pollution.
Sandwatch activities are conducted by students in the Caribbean
region, aided by their teachers and communities, and supported
by UNESCO's Associated Schools Project Net (ASPnet) Caribbean
Sea Project and the platform for Environment and Development in
Coastal Regions and Small Islands (CSI).
 Students
observing sand grains with a magnifying glass, May 2001
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 Observing
and recording beach characteristics in St. Lucia, May
2001 |
 Students
role playing different beach users, First Regional Sandwatch
workshop, May 2001 |
Since 2001,
Caribbean students of all ages have been working to measure their
beaches - monitoring factors such as water quality, rates of beach
erosion, types of litter, and ways in which the beaches are used.
This represents the first phase of the project and is to be followed
by a second phase when young people will work with their teachers,
parents and communities to implement projects in their countries
to enhance their beaches and solve some of the identified problems.
Between 7-9th
July 2003, students and teachers met in Dominica for the Second
Regional Sandwatch Project to share
their findings, assess the project's progress and plan future
activities. A report on the workshop
has been prepared; this includes the main outcomes, the programme
and the list of participating countries. A tree
planting ceremony on the Glanvillia beach was among the many
activities. Drama presentations,
cultural displays and a flag ceremony
also featured prominently in the programme. The workshop was covered
by Dominica's media, and newspaper articles were also published
in other countries e.g. Trinidad
and Tobago.
By linking
up with the Small Islands Voice initiative, participants from
Seychelles in the Indian Ocean and Cook Islands and Palau Pacific
region took part in the Second Regional Sandwatch Workshop. They
played a key role in judging
the presentations from the Caribbean countries and prepared
proposals for Sandwatch activities
in their countries.
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