UNESCO pledges to support St Kitts and Nevis towards sustainable development goals

A tremendous boost to the Implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in St Kitts and Nevis can be witnessed as the region continues to be benefitted from the constant support of UNESCO.

The Federation’s government was recently expressed through its representative to the agency that three vital grants were received under UNESCO’s Participation Programme.

Such grants amounting to an estimated of US $60,000, will help in both providing technical as well as financial assistance in areas pertaining education, biodiversity and gender policy of implementation to augment institutional capacity within the nation.

The grants will allow St Kitts and Nevis to tackle several critical propositions. Among the important items included are the last phases of a national accreditation for qualifications, the enhancement of a national gender policy framework and a plan in effort to convert the St Mary’s Biosphere Reserve to a plastic free area.

This support has responded to the Federation’s sustainable development strategy, proving a concern with the advancement of these crucial fields.

Dorothy Warner, General Secretary of SKN National Commission for UNESCO, addressed the funding to be significant for education policy. Substantial portion of this funding will go for Education policy that includes the professionalizing of the national teaching force, implementing innovative Education for Sustainable Development, enhancing of the Federation’s National Accreditation Framework.

The decision has been endorsed by Dr Geoffrey Hanley, the Minister responsible for UNESCO affairs, appreciated the work. He affirmed that UNESCO selected professionals who are planning to visit St Kitts and Nevis at the beginning of the next year to complete the workings under the NASF.

This framework is aimed at establishing a sound process of reviewing and approving the higher-level qualifications in the post-secondary sector. In addition, this framework will also involve the drafting of the legislation on the reformed accreditation board.

Besides the mentioned financing, St Kitts and Nevis is keen on participating in other capacity enhancement initiatives involving UNESCO assistance. These comprise of the finishing of the first round of the National Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) survey which seeks to ensure that customs and traditions especially at the community level are documented. The result of the first ever produced national ICH framework is anticipated to be submitted to the cabinet by end of the year.

More activities currently being implemented include the Monitoring and Data Gathering to inform policy aimed at utilization of water and the development of UNESCO-St Kitts and Nevis framework to upscale investments for the St Mary’s Biosphere Reserve site.

These initiatives predict support and development and extension of the processes of diverse sustainable agriculture, such as the greenhouse cultivation.

Also, the National Sport Council of St Kitts and Nevis is gradually increasing the compliance level with the Anti-doping in Sport standards (have reached 73.8%) to the fullest.

The Federation’s Ambassador to UNESCO, David Doyle said he was happy with the recent funding decision. According to Doyle, UNESCO is finally reaping the dividends from its focused technical assistance that is much needed for ministries of governments, professional societies, and the extended circuits of stakeholders, including youth.