UNESCO projects in St. Kitts and Nevis have taken centre stage following a series of high-level meetings and stakeholder engagements during Holy Week, led by Ambassador David Doyle and Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Nerys Dockery. The visit highlighted the growing scope and impact of UNESCO-backed programmes across the Federation, from biodiversity and education to cultural heritage and institutional reform.
On 17th April, 2025, a special session of the UNESCO National Commission gathered senior government officials and project leaders to review progress. Attendees included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister responsible for UNESCO Affairs, Dr. Geoffrey Hanley, and key stakeholders from the education, culture and environment sectors. Discussions revealed that eight major UNESCO interventions are currently underway, each supported by technical expertise and international funding.
Ambassador Doyle emphasised the breadth of activity, noting support in professionalising the national teaching force through a partnership with the Open University of Tanzania, bolstering biodiversity at the St. Mary’s Biosphere Reserve, and strengthening the national accreditation system. He described the pace of development as “compelling” and credited the quality of collaboration across institutions.
One standout initiative is a newly signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and the Open University of Tanzania, which will see twenty teachers begin degree programmes by the end of April. Minister Hanley hailed this as a regional first, developed with UNESCO’s support, to raise the standard of teacher training in key areas such as education management, special needs, and evaluation. “This is a model for the Caribbean,” he said.
Meanwhile, significant attention was given to sustainability. A three-year biodiversity project, funded by the Government of Italy through UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme, is transforming the St. Mary’s Biosphere Reserve. Project Coordinator Telca Wallace outlined the focus on climate-resilient agriculture, water capture, and the introduction of heat-tolerant crops, alongside plans for a community seed bank and greenhouse facilities.
Additionally, Ambassador Doyle and Mr. Dockery met with Senator Dr. Joyelle Clarke to discuss a forthcoming transformation of the St. Mary’s Biosphere Reserve into a Centre of Excellence for eliminating single-use plastics, aligned with the national plastic ban. A public consultation on the policy will be held in July 2025.
Mr. Dockery shared updates on new areas of potential cooperation, including integrating African Ancestral History into the national curriculum and exploring a “City Twinning” initiative linking St. Kitts and Nevis to historic seaports in Ghana and Europe. These initiatives form part of UNESCO’s global effort to confront the legacies of slavery and discrimination.
“We are honoured to lead these efforts,” said Dockery. “Through the Routes of Enslaved Peoples Committee, we will launch a national dialogue to deepen understanding of our identity and shared history.”
Further updates from the session included efforts to restructure the National Accreditation System, progress on anti-doping compliance in sport, development of a National Intangible Cultural Heritage Policy, and efforts to identify eligible sites for the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Ambassador Doyle and Secretary-General Dockery underscored the Federation’s opportunity to leverage UNESCO’s capacity-building tools to strengthen creative and cultural industries, noting the potential for private investment and professionalisation across the sector.
With increasing momentum and expanding international partnerships, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis continues to position itself as a regional leader in sustainable development, cultural preservation and educational reform through its work with UNESCO.
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from SKN Source! Click here to join our WhatsApp group and get updates straight to your mobile. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more stories and insights!
Be the first to comment on "UNESCO Projects Advance Education, Culture and Sustainability in St. Kitts and Nevis"