ESSAY COMPETITION ON WATER

Young people in Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia have been given a unique opportunity to express their creativity and share their views on the pressing issue of water resources in the Caribbean.

In a joint effort aimed at highlighting the growing international concern over the need for better management and protection of this vital resource, the United Nations Information Centre for the Caribbean Area (UNIC), the Pan-American Health Organisation (PAHO-WHO) and the Caribbean Environmental Health Institute (CEHI) based in St Lucia, have come together to initiate two separate but inter-related competitions. UNIC, PAHO and CEHI are the lead agencies in a joint TT-St Lucia essay competition that seeks to focus young people’s attention on the United Nations International Year of Freshwater, being observed this year. The theme for this essay competition is “Water, the Key to National Sustainable Development.”

The competition is open to persons between the ages of ten and 21. Winners will be selected at a national and regional level with a grand prize of a weekend for two at the Hilton Tobago courtesy the Hilton Trinidad. The other competition takes place at the national level and is part of observances for the 11th Inter-American Water Day, which will be celebrated on Saturday October 4, 2003. The theme is “Water, let’s not take it for granted.” The organising committee consists of the Caribbean Water and Waste Water Association (CWWA), WASA, the Ministry of Health, the Environmental Management Authority (EMA) and the Ministry of Education. The Water Day competition consists of an annual poster and calypso/rap competition for all schools. For further information contact the UNIC on 623-4813/8438.