MoU to benefit Small Island Developing States
published: Thursday | August 3, 2006

Paolo Fontani (left), officer in charge of UNESCO, Caribbean, in conversation with Professor E. Nigel Harris (second left), vice chancellor at the University of the West Indies (UWI); Elsa Leo-Rhynie (second right), principal of UWI, Mona, and Winston Bayley, director of finance/University bursar, UWI, during yesterday's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding by the Universities Consortium of Small Island States (UCSIS) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) office of the Caribbean at the UWI, Mona campus. - Norman Grindley /Deputy Chief Photographer

The Universities Consortium of Small Island States (UCSIS) and the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to focus on sustainable development in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).

The programme will see the implementation of the 1994 Barbados Programme of action for Sustainable Development of SIDS as well as facilitate the 2005 Mauritius Strategy for the further implementation of the programme of action for the sustainable development of SIDS.

Speaking at the signing ceremony at the University of the West Indies, (UWI) Mona Campus, Professor Nigel Harris, vice chancellor of the institution, said the activities of the cooperation will focus on sustainable development in SIDS in the fields of: climate change, natural and environmental disasters, waste management resources management, culture, among other things.

The disciplines concerned are information technology, marine sciences, health, environment, science engineering and culture.

A collaborative effort

The Consortium, which was established last year, is a collaborative effort of the University of Malta, UWI, and the University of the Virgin Islands. The aim is to enhance the capacity of higher education institutions in small island states, to provide practical, high quality training and research.

The universities will be sharing courses that will be delivered by distance education and UWI will host the secretariat.