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Official Launch of
Small Islands Voice in Seychelles
The
official launch for Small Islands Voice in Seychelles was held
at the Seafront Restaurant, Maison du Peuple, Victoria, Mahe at
6 p.m. on Monday 18th March 2002. About 35 people attended the
opening ceremony, which was reported by the media on the TV News
on 19th March 2002 and in the Daily Nation
of 21st March 2002. The programme for the launch was as follows:
Master
of ceremonies: Mr. Alain De Comarmond, Policy, Planning and
Services Division, Ministry of Environment
Opening
speech by Mr. Rolph Payet, Director General, Policy, Planning
and Services Division, Ministry of Environment
Presentation
by Mr. Nureldin Satti, Director, UNESCO Dar-es-Salaam Cluster
Office
Presentation
by Ms. Gillian Cambers. UNESCO Consultant for Small Islands Voice
Presentation
on the local aspects of Small Islands Voice in Seychelles
by Mr. Alain De Comarmond
Discussion
Official
launching of Small Islands Voice by Mr. Ronny Jumeau, Minister
of Environment
Cocktail
reception
During
his opening speech, Mr. Payet described how people from around
the world, including Seychelles, had been involved in the groundwork
preparation of Small Islands Voice. Thus a sense of ownership
for the initiative had been fostered in Seychelles. Mr. Satti,
of the UNESCO Dar-es-Salaam Cluster Office, expressed his personal
commitment for Small Islands Voice and described the launch as
a marvellous and unique experience. He emphasised that larger
countries need to learn from the experiences of small islands.
He compared the monument in Victoria, which symbolises the three
elements of Seychellois ancestry - Africa, Asia and Europe, to
the three geographical groups of small islands involved in Small
Islands Voice, namely the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific
regions.
Small
Islands Voice is all about communications, and Ms. Cambers, in
her presentation, emphasised the importance of dialogue. Exchanging
and listening to another person's views and subsequently modifying
one's own behaviour is a key human characteristic. Mr. De Comarmond
mentioned that involving the media as key partners in the initiative
and working with existing institutions such as the Ministry of
Local Government, in order to try and reach the grassroots level,
will be especially important, Minister Ronny Jumeau made special
mention of the fact that the endeavour will engage young Seychellois,
not only within Seychelles, but in other regions as well. Small
Islands Voice will provide another means to feel the pulse of
Seychelles and will also be a catalyst for more originality in
government. He mentioned that Seychelles was proud to be chosen
as the start-up country for the Indian Ocean, he thanked UNESCO
and wished to assure the organization that he personally, is an
avid fan of the initiative. 'The project is now launched, let
the dialogue begin.'
During
the discussion, the view was put forward that while there has
been a lot of discussion about small island developing states
and vulnerability indices have been developed, nothing has really
changed and the talk and promises have come to nothing. One response
was that there was a need for islanders to look within themselves
and to see what they can do on their own and in combination with
neighbouring islands, rather than waiting on outside aid and assistance.
UNESCO expresses solidarity and support for small islands, and
a new path has to be found, for true sustainability will only
come from within a country. The view was also put forward that
solidarity among small island developing states was essential
in order to effect change, in this respect reference was made
to the climate change negotiations. Mr. Shamlaye, Secretary-General
of the Seychelles National Commission for UNESCO, mentioned the
proposal he made at the 31st General Conference of UNESCO, that
small island developing states be made the principal priority
in the major programme for science of UNESCO for 2003-2004, and
that perhaps Small Islands Voice could help in promoting this
proposal.
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