Third Annual Conference 2020

2019/2020 – Connecting The Dots…Mentoring Towards Sustainability.

The Adopt a River Programme Implementation Unit hosted their 3rd River Conference on Friday, March 6, 2020, at the Trinidad Hilton. The theme for this year’s Conference was “Connecting the Dots……. Mentoring Towards Sustainability”, designed with the youth in mind and the main focus of the Conference. As a result, various secondary schools from around our lovely twin island of Trinidad and Tobago were invited to attend and participate. Various youth speakers shared their experiences and stories of being good stewards for our environment and watersheds, adding to the ongoing movement of achieving sustainability for all.

The feature address at the event and declaration of the Conference opening was delivered by Ms. Beverly Khan, Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Public Utilities. In her enlightening and informative opening presentation, Ms. Khan highlighted the importance of community and
youth engagement with the AARP, the importance of water in our lives and the effort necessary by all to ensure healthy and sustainable watersheds.

Mr. Alan Poon-King, CEO WASA, expressed similar sentiments in his greetings and recognised that any crucial change in our water sector aimed at sustainable development, must include the engagement of our youth, their energy and enthusiasm, as well as their fresh thoughts and new ideas. The Conference consisted of several speakers and presenters who offered their respective topics reflecting sustainability. Some of them were as follows:

• Dr. Ronald Roopnarine, Snr. Lecturer, Earth Sciences; Network Manager, Caribbean WaterNet/CapNet UNDP who spoke on Sustainable Development in the Caribbean and the need for Data Driven Decision Making.
• Mr. Luke Pounder, Adopt a River Youth Ambassador, who gave an enlightening presentation on his newly formed NGO and its role in Sustainable Water Resource Management.
• Ms. Janelle Seepaul, past intern of the MatchMe Project who was attached to the Adopt a River Programme, spoke on meaningful experiences from within the programme and the Unit.
• Ms. Curmira Gulston, youth speaker, who encouraged Youth Participation in Sustainable Development, being at the forefront of this cause herself, acquiring degrees in Marine and Conservation Biology and Integrated Coastal and Ocean Management.

Other notable contributions were made by the Head of the Water Resources Agency(WRA), Mr. Rajindra Gosine, National Scout Association, Holy Cross
College, The Cunupia Business Chamber’s Zaheer Ali who offered a Stakeholder’s Review and all adopters and partners that exhibited and engaged during our two networking sessions.

The conference proceeded with the presentation of awards to the winners of the Riverspeak 2019 competition which included Kernesha Walters of ASJA’s
Girls College, Tunapuna. Vrishni Maharaj – Naparima Girls’ High School and Chineka Boatswain, student of Vessigny Secondary School. Additionally, a Legacy and Leadership Award was presented to the former Project Manager of the Unit, Dr. Sharda Mahabir, for her contribution to the water sector.

The day ended with Mr. Wayne Clement, Deputy Chairman of the AARP Steering Committee, giving the Vote of Thanks. Special thanks was extended to the Ministry of Education for granting permission for schools to attend. Thanks and appreciation was extended to all the students and teaching fraternity that attended. Special thanks as well to the Green Fund Executing Unit and also the members of the AARP Steering Committee. AARP certainly looks forward to continued participation at our next River Conference along with ongoing partnerships in achieving our unified goal of sustainability and improved life quality for us all