SIV INTERNET CENTRE LAUNCHED ON NEVIS

Secretary-General of the UNESCO National Commission and National Co-ordinator for the Small Islands Voice Project, Mr. Antonio Maynard, says,.......

.........A SIV Internet Centre here on Nevis will create the necessary linkage between the island and other centres in small island states.

The UNESCO National Commission today launched a SIV Internet Centre here on Nevis.

Mr. Maynard said "the facilities could be used to combine training and capacity building, with regular evaluation, so as to ensure the sustainability of the project."

"They can also be used to forge closer partnership with the UNESCO National Commissions and other "Small Island States" in targeting "Small Islands Developing States" (SIDS) in the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and the Pacific." he further noted.

The Small Islands Voice Official also urged young persons to take advantage of the centre, and stressed on the good fortunes young persons enjoy here in the Federation.

"These small islands in the Caribbean should count their blessings and should count themselves fortunate and should not be complacent, because 862, 000, 000 of the world children are illiterate."

Mr. Maynard added that while the population of St. Kitts and Nevis is just under 50, 000 we have a literacy rate of 99%In related news,

Principal Education Officer here on Nevis, Mrs. Lornette Manners

in declaring the Centre officially opened underscored the importance of the project........

.........As it relates to the Small Islands Voice initiative, and also encouraged persons to take advantage of the opportunities that will be offered at the centre.

"Through internet based programmes our young islanders can communicate and exchange ideas with their counterparts on other small islands throughout the world. I am very much ware that our young people are involved in this initiative and are providing a strong voice for small islands through the Back Chat programme." stated the Principal Education Officer.

She further encouraged members of the general public especially young people who do not have access to the internet to take advantage of the opportunity to research and discuss matters pertaining to the environment and development with their counterparts living in small islands of the world."

The education official sounded a word of caution to would be users of the facility.

"The SIV Internet Centre is not an internet café, it is not a place to check on your e-mails and browse the net for any and everything. Regulations are in place for the use of the centre and we encourage all patrons to follow these rules use of the centre is free and should be used only for matters relating to the Small Islands Voice "remarked PEO, Mrs. Manners. Meantime,

The Nevis Back Chat Team today released the first issue of its Newsletter.

The Back Chat team is made up of three students called "Conch Shells" and a Teacher or" Program Director", from each of the nine secondary schools in St. Kitts and Nevis.

Co-ordinator of the Nevis SIV National Committee, Halstead "Sootie" Byron speaking at the SIV Internet centre launch noted "This month the focus is on crime and violence. The students dealt with that in several ways.....rap and poems etc. It will be circulated throughout the various schools so that is can reach young people."

The Back Chat Program was launched in March 2004, by the Small Islands Voice Co-ordinating Committee as an educational initiative for the youth of the Federation.

VON Radio, Nevis, 2nd June 2004