Indigenous voices matter
̶ Climate Resilience workshop seeks solutions from Indigenous Peoples
̶ Climate Studies to be integrated into new school curriculum
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, September 5, 2019
Today marks the end of a Caribbean Resilience Workshop aimed at coordinating Indigenous and local solutions to address climate impacts and vulnerabilities. The three-Day exercise which coincided with this year’s Indigenous Heritage Month observances.
Petty Oti-Boateng, Director of the Division of Science at UNESCO, explained the aim of the workshop.
“The Georgetown workshop presents a unique opportunity to learn from Indigenous and local communities of the Caribbean how they are mobilising their knowledge systems to survive and adapt to the intensity of climate change impacts in the region,” she said.
Minister of Education, Hon. Dr. Nicolette Henry, in her address to the participants, underscored the importance of using education as a tool to realise local solutions to climate change. She added that the ministry will be infusing aspects of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) into the new school curriculum.
“As Minister of Education, I also see the need to begin educating our children in the school system so that they can be fully acquainted with the issues of climatic change and its effect,” she said.
The initiative, championed by UNESCO, was also welcomed by Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Raphael Trotman.
[In the photo, from left] Minister of Natural Resources, Hon. Raphael Trotman, Petty Oti-Boateng, Director of the Division of Science at UNESCO
“It is the view of the government and H.E. President David Granger, that Indigenous peoples are not only our first peoples but they are and have been the best keepers of our natural and national patrimony for millennia and there could be no better group who can continue to do so,” Minister Trotman remarked.
Minister within the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs, Hon. Valerie Garrido-Lowe was also in attendance at the workshop as a representative of the Indigenous Peoples.
This year’s Heritage Month theme – “Maintaining traditional practices while promoting a green economy” is in keeping with the government and UNESCO’s efforts towards mobilising climate resilience in Indigenous communities.