IN observance of World Environment Day, Conservation International – Guyana, WWF – Guianas, and the Iwokrama International Centre presented a quantity of books, ‘Rupununi: Rediscovering a Lost World’, written by Dr. Graham Watkins, to the Ministry of Education for distribution to secondary schools and other educational and cultural institutions. The handing-over ceremony was held yesterday at St. Stanislaus College High School where among the list of attendees included officials from Conservation International, Iwokrama International Centre, WWF – Guianas, members of the Diplomatic Community, Minister of Education Dr. Rupert Roopnaraine, Minister of Tourism Catherine Hughes, Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Sydney Allicock, Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs Valerie Garrido Lowe, students from approximately 21 schools and officials from the Ministry of Education.
Dr. Roopnaraine, in acknowledging the significance of the World Environment Day theme, ‘Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet. Consume with Care.’, posited that everyone has a responsibility to live in such a manner that resources are not wasted. He added, “We should not pollute our rivers and creeks with garbage, poisons and mining run-offs. It means we must not cut down our forests in a manner that does not bring benefits, firstly to the people of Guyana, and Guyana as a whole, through economic benefits.” He said that this means that the country must get the maximum returns from the logging industry. He said that skills are needed to ensure making value-added products from the logs, but it must be done in a matter that leaves trees standing. “That is what resource efficiency and conservation means. There is a well- known saying: we have not inherited the earth from our parents, we have borrowed it from our grandchildren. And if you think about that, it means we have to be very careful to give them back at least what we borrowed, and more,” he noted.
Dr. Roopnaraine pledged that he will do his utmost to ensure that all the necessary tools are provided for students to receive a good quality education. “As a person who benefitted all my life from free education in the finest of schools and universities, I wish to pledge to you and your grandchildren that I will do my utmost to ensure that you are provided with the tools you need: good and well equipped class rooms, vibrant with music and culture, nutritious school meals as needed, and high quality education to make your dreams real so that you can live not only to your full human potential, but live and grow as the most valuable asset to our Guyana”.
Twenty-one schools were present for the symbolic handing-over of the books. The remainder will be distributed to secondary schools throughout the country via the Ministry’s Book Distribution Unit. Books were also presented to the Minister of Tourism, Ms. Catherine Hughes; Minister of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Sydney Allicock, and Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Valerie Garrido Lowe.
World Environment Day is the United Nations’ principal vehicle for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the environment. Over the years, it has grown to be a broad, global platform for public outreach that is widely celebrated by stakeholders in over 100 countries.