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Contact:
Primus Hutchinson
Tuesday, April 20, 2004 - The first Earth Forum of its kind to focus on
civil society and its role in environmental management will takes place at Morne
Le Blanc Nature Heritage Facility in Laborie on International Earth Day on
Thursday, April 22nd, 2004.
The Forum, which is being conducted in collaboration with the Caribbean Youth
Environment Network (CYEN) and the Environmental Conservation and Heritage
Organisation of Laborie (ECHOLAB), will be expected to examine the past and
present role of civil society in environmental matters. The highly anticipated
Forum will also seek to formulate concrete recommendations on how to enhance the
role of non-governmental organisations and community groups in environmental
policy formulation and implementation in Saint Lucia.
Programme Officer with the St. Lucia National Trust, Danley Lebourne, says
considering that the Government of St. Lucia is in the process of formulating a
National Environmental Policy and a National Environmental Management Strategy,
the upcoming Forum will attempt to develop clear recommendations on how
community based organisations and non-governmental organisations could actively
participate in the implementation of the various environmental policies and
plans.
Other Earth Day activities include the traditional Soley Leve at Pigeon Island,
beginning at 4.30 a.m. followed by Soley Kouche at the Fisheries Complex in
Vieux Fort from 4.30 p.m., with a similar Soley Kouche to be held by ECHOLAB at
the Morne Leblanc venue after the Forum, which begins at 5.00 p.m.
The Soufriere Marine Management Authority (SMMA) is also expected to stage an
exhibition on that same day.
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