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Guyana Environment Initiative (GEI), on 7th-8th July 2023, hosted its inaugural ‘Youth Environmental Ambassador’ training event at the Pegasus Hotel and day 2 at the National Park, Georgetown, Guyana. In a release the organisation said the training was one of several activities being executed by GEI as the implementing partner for Guyana under the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) project “Advancing Climate Democracy in Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago” to develop climate champions. Similar trainings are being executed in partnering countries, Suriname and Trinidad. The project seeks to advance advocacy related to environmental and climate-related issues in the Region.
With over 50 participants in attendance, the training sought to equip the youths with knowledge, skills, and materials to execute their new roles as Environmental Ambassadors. The content covered during the two-day training included an introduction to environmental concepts, public speaking and presentation skills, pathways to being a youth ambassador, digital communication, the importance of wildlife, grey and green sea defence systems, environmental laws, careers related to the environmental field and next steps towards climate action.
Participants benefited from presentations and interactive activities, which were all delivered by young professionals from various fields, including environmental, legal, communications, public and private sectors, and international relations background.
In addition, the young people had the opportunity of in-person interaction with the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson. During the live interview session, the participants posed questions to the Minister relating to his path to leadership as a young Minister of Government and were given appropriate responses by the Minister. During the session, he urged the participants to continuously develop their talents, skills, and knowledge in order to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.
The founder of the organisation, Ms. Gomin Camacho, called on the youths to take their learning back to their communities and school to share with others and execute meaningful action towards fostering sustainable environmental practices. She lamented that as Youth Environmental Ambassadors, they must lead by example and ensure their daily actions are geared toward creating a cleaner and healthier environment.
Notably, the participants ranging from ages 13- 21 were representative of the rich diversity of our country. Youths came as far as from Regions 5,6,10 and from nearby Regions 3 and 4. At the end of the training, the participants shared their excitement and motivation to put their learnings into action and were extremely appreciative of the training.
The event was made possible with the financial and in-kind support from the following sponsors: United Nations Democracy Fund, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, GT&T, Impressions Branding, Nicky’s Juice, 55 Photography, KHE Engineering, and most importantly, members and volunteers of GEI.
