US Embassy supports Champion Environmental Teacher
THE United States Embassy in Jamaica has thrown its weight behind the Jamaica Environment Trust’s (JET’s) inaugural Jamaica Environmental Action Awards, with a grant of US$4,000 (J$347,200).
The grant will support the award for Champion Environmental Teacher.
“The US Embassy believes strongly in education; it is the best investment in the future and in the people of Jamaica. The Public Affairs Section continues to support teachers who are seeking to impart sound environmental messages to the younger generation of Jamaicans. You can’t start early enough,” said acting public affairs officer Rebecca Park.
The Public Affairs Section has provided grants in support of JET’s now scaled-down Schools’ Environment Programme, including funding for teacher training workshops across the island on “Tourism and the Environment” in 2009. The US Embassy also provided sponsorship for and participated in the Earth Day 2010 Expo on April 22 in Hope Gardens, which was organised by the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica in partnership with JET.
The Jamaica Environmental Action Awards, launched on Earth Day, seek to recognise outstanding individuals, schools and groups that have taken steps to preserve Jamaica’s natural environment.
“The emphasis in these new awards is on action. In order to be nominated, the individual or organisation must have made meaningful efforts to protect and preserve Jamaica’s fragile environment through projects and programmes. This is our new educational thrust, replacing the Schools’ Environment Programme, which was closed due to a cut in Government funding,” said JET’s programme manager Suzanne Stanley.
“Despite the setbacks, the US Embassy continues to support JET’s advocacy for a healthy and pollution-free and sustainable environment,” said a release from the embassy. “It looks forward to celebrating the achievements of one of Jamaica’s dedicated teachers, who will be motivated to continue the work of raising environmental awareness among Jamaica’s young people.”