UNESCO YOUTH PATH- SAIL CARIBBEAN SUMMER ACTIVITIES BEGIN

Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 15, 2008 (SKNIS): UNESCO Youth Path Project Participants recently hosted Sail Caribbean to an exploration of the life, culture and heritage of the Federation.

Sail Caribbean is a group from the United States, which, as the name suggests, sails the Caribbean Islands every summer to learn about youth in the region.

According to Project Coordinator Maria Crawford, the goals of the Youth Path Project are similar to that of Sail Caribbean, which has shown great interest in preservation and other projects related to sustainability on the island. A main objective is to have the youths collaborate on a local preservation project during their brief visit.

This being the first visit of the team’s leader Nathaniel Dekatnel to the Federation, the group was taken on a tour of Brimstone Hill where the youths participated in friendly games.

They were then taken to the Romney Manor where they saw a demonstration of the tie-dye and Batik arts after which they gathered at the Yacht Harbour in Basseterre for lunch.

Dekatnel and Sail Caribbean have been invited back to St. Kitts on July 28th when they will do more visits to heritage sites as well as take part in a beach clean up along with the Youth Path Students.

Secretary General of the National Commission for UNESCO Antonio Maynard said in relation to the recent visit of Sail Caribbean that UNESCO is committed to the academic advancement of youth whether it be by traditional or other means.

He said that based on the objective of the Youth Path project that particular group was the ideal host for Sail Caribbean. He added that exposure to as many different cultures as possible would assist the youths in learning to express themselves about their heritage. He said that as they shared with others it would serve to boost their own image of the value of their cultural heritage.

One participant Shauntel Akers said although she is a new participant she was very pleased to be a part of it. She stated that in her short time with Youth Path she has been challenged beyond her expectations but that she has enjoyed and gained a lot of helpful information as she participated with Sail Caribbean, attended a National Heritage Tourism Symposium and has been involved in other activities with the group.

The Youth Path project which is carried out in 14 developing countries is geared at Poverty Alleviation through Tourism and Heritage Development. Participants are trained in a wide range of subject areas to gear them for work in the tourism sector and more specifically heritage tourism. Participants come from underprivileged areas and are between the ages of 15-25.

Participants are also involved in heritage site preservation and development towards the economic empowerment and mobilization of their communities.

Phase 2 of the UNESCO Youth PATH Project for St. Kitts and Nevis was launched in February by Director of the UNESCO Caribbean Cluster Mr. Kwame Boafoa.

Youth Path Participants and Sail Caribbean Get Acquainted At Brimstone Hill

Interactive Games at Brimstone Hill

Youth Path and Sail Caribbean