St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis speech for the 37 th Session of the UNESCO General Conference 7 th November 2013 Mr. President of the General Conference, Chairman of the Executive Board, Honorable Ministers, Excellencies, Madame Director-General, Distinguished Delegates, Ladies and Gentlemen. I have the honor of delivering this speech on behalf of the Honorable Nigel Carty, the St. Kitts-Nevis Minister of Education, who, sadly, could not join us today due to pressing government business back in the capital. This year, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis celebrates its 30 th Anniversary as an independent sovereign state. Within a few months of its independence, we marked the Government s long-term commitment to UNESCO by becoming a fully-fledged member of the Organisation. Since 1983, St. Kitts and Nevis has been an active and constructive actor in multiple UNESCO activities both here in Paris and on the ground in our country and remains highly committed to UNESCO, expertise, principles and programmes of work. 1
The Government of St. Kitts and Nevis is fully supportive of, and seeks to encourage a rigorous focus on, the priorities of the Organization, as reflected in its draft Medium Term Strategy. This is especially pertinent to activities associated with the education and social stability needs of our youth, and, St. Kitts-Nevis long-standing support for targeted measures aimed at Small Island Developing States (SIDS). We need little reminding that Small Island States, such as St. Kitts and Nevis, have limited room and resources to maneuver in the face of the external economic, climatic and environmental shocks. This calls for assertive, precision-driven treatment by UNESCO with interventions that are pragmatic, scientifically-driven and interdisciplinary in nature. UNESCO s unique skills and expertise continues for us to be the Organization s distinctive comparative advantage vis-à-vis other specialized UN agencies. As a small island developing state, we would argue that we are a special case, characterized by vulnerability, remoteness and the adverse effects from natural hazards, not to mention the continuing worldwide financial crisis. In this light, criteria such as of GDP per capita to determine our needs and level of UNESCO intervention, is misplaced, and must be discouraged. We cannot be fairly compared to countries with infinitely larger economies of scale. We sometimes overlook the fact that many SIDS already live on the front line of pockets of poverty, pollution, natural disasters and degradation of coastlines, tropical forests and coral reefs. 2
Mr. President, my government also endorses the fulfillment of UNESCO s key mission, which is to contribute to the building of peace, and the alleviation of poverty, by galvanizing all its key competencies. This must be central to its work programme beyond 2015 within its developmental framework. The government of St. Kitts and Nevis believes that no real economic and social development is possible - especially in small island states - without a solid foundation in education. Hence, Quality education at all levels continues to be central to St. Kitts-Nevis education strategy, from early childhood development to higher education. Technical and vocational education and training (TVET), and skills development, however, elicits special attention for our country. TVET substantially enhances the prospects of finding employment. But we stress that the quality, accessibility and recognition associated with TVET must be improved in our sub-region if we are to equip our youth with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to meet the current job requirements. This goes beyond the acquisition of skills for employment. TVET must also develop skills for life as responsible citizens and active participants in shaping their future. A major factor in TVET policy development in many Caribbean states is the high drop out rates of our young males now approaching some 26% of male youth in our sub-region with serious implications and dire consequences of youth violence. We underline the need for reinforcing UNESCO s activities in TVET, strengthened by extra-budgetary funding, the secondment of experts, and knowledge sharing. 3
As the first English-speaking Caribbean state to launch a Man and Biosphere (MAB) reserve this year, we believe such reserves are meaningful learning vehicles for equitable and sustainable development and for climate change mitigation and adaptation strengthening. The effects of climate change are, unfortunately, an indelible part of life on small island developing states. St. Kitts-Nevis is no stranger to natural disasters and hurricanes. Indeed, half of the 25 most disaster-prone states in the world are SIDS, with their spiraling legacy of volcanic eruptions, tsunamis and cyclones. The combined effect of warming oceans, rising sea-levels, and, intensified heavy rains, have impacted on the quality and availability of freshwater, diminished the livelihoods of citizens, who directly depend agriculture produce, fisheries, ultimately affecting food security. Small islands are particularly vulnerable to the heightened frequency of these natural hazards. We call upon UNESCO to work with all the SIDS members ahead of the 3 rd International Conference on SIDS to be held in Apia in September 2014, in developing an action plan on future priorities in its programme of work beyond 2014. This should cover, in particular, climate change adaptation and mitigation, early-warning systems of impending storms, tsunamis, but also on education for sustainable development and culture and youth. Small island developing states (SIDS) policy development has been central to St. Kitts and Nevis work at UNESCO. We pledge to work with UNESCO, and the SIDS members, in identifying a package of strategic, highly-visible, tangible actions, addressing these key issues within UNESCO s mandate. Mr President, St. Kitts and Nevis believes that UNESCO is strategically well positioned to assist our sub-region in amplifying intercultural dialogue, based on the legacy of enslavement and its associated cultural heritage. Steps must be taken to protect, conserve, promote and transmit our cultural 4
heritage and history for the purposes of dialogue and development between nations and between generations. Lastly, St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis attaches great importance to strengthening national commissions in the SIDS regions, as a crucial vehicle for optimal development and delivery of UNESCO s programmes on the ground, via improved coordination between the cluster offices and National Commissions In concluding, I wish to express, on behalf of the Government of St. Christopher and Nevis, our deep and respected gratitude to UNESCO for its work and expertise in favor of SIDS, and especially on the ground in our country, and to declare our continued partnership with the Organisation in our quest to improve the quality of island living. Thank you Dr David P. Doyle Ambassador Permanent Delegate of St. Christopher (St. Kitts) and Nevis to UNESCO 5