Tuesday, July 24, 2012 – The Saint Lucia National Trust has once again taken the initiative to engage young people in promoting heritage and environmental conservation. This will be achieved through the 4th Annual Saint Lucia National Trust Youth Environment Forum YEF which was launched here last week.

Communications & Advocacy Officer with  the Saint National Trust, Karetta Crooks Charles, explains that, YEF aims to empower youngsters to become advocates for environment and heritage conservation. Some one hundred students from across the island will be engaged in this year’s programme.

Rohan Alfred a student of St. Mary’s College who participated in last year’s programme hopes that this year’s programme will be better and more inspiring.“ The Youth Environment Forum epitomizes the prefect summer camp, fun filled, activity filled, while still remaining educational. I was blessed enough to attend YEF in 2011. I have used the knowledge gathered in that five day span to propel, not only myself but others forward, in an effort to achieve a greener and more economical viable Saint Lucia.”

This year’s theme, “Green Economy, Does it include you?” emerged, in an effort to bring the three pillars of sustainable development together under green economy. This event which began on Monday, July 23rd will run through to Thursday, July 26th and will take place simultaneously at the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School and Vieux-Fort Comprehensive Secondary School, Campus A. This year’s camp will come to a close on Friday, July 27th  at the Pigeon Island National Landmark.

The partners of this event are the Ministry of Sustainable Development, Energy, Science and Technology; the Caribbean Student Environmental Alliance and the Caribbean Sea, among others.

This year’s sponsors include, the Bank of Saint Lucia, Digicel, The Saint Lucia Electricity Services, Winera , Consolidated Foods Limited and Subway Saint Lucia.