conference magazine - Caribbean Environmental Health Institute

7
Message from Patricia Aquing
Executive Director, Caribbean Environmental Health Institute and
Chair, Fifth Biennial Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition
(CEF5)
I wish to welcome you to this our 5 th Biennial Caribbean Environmental Forum and Exhibition (CEF 5) organised in
conjunction with the Second Caribbean Sustainable Energy Forum (CSEF 2) and the 15 th Annual Wider Caribbean
Waste Management Conference (ReCaribe 2010) here in the exciting Montego Bay, Jamaica. This year we have a
stellar cast of high level speakers and presenters who were invited because we know that they will raise the level of
debate and discussions on environmental matters and share their own unique perspectives with us. The year so far
has been marked by a series of disasters, both man-made and natural: earthquakes in Haiti and Chile; the oil spill
in the Gulf of Mexico and the volcano in Iceland. The Caribbean experienced severe drought conditions, which have
not entirely eased in some countries. These events have served to underscore our human and environmental vulnerability.
We therefore use this opportunity to extend our condolences and sympathy to those who lost loved ones
or who were negatively affected.
In selecting this year’s theme, we thought we should highlight a process and event which, for the most part, proved
to be a major disappointment for many people in the field, but which have serious implications for the region. Most
persons, who are not intimately involved, know only what they hear or read in the media. We felt we needed to
open up the debate and discussions at the political and policy levels in the region; we also feel the need to examine
impacts on some “bread and butter” aspects, hence the sub-set of theme: Water, Waste, Energy, Health.... CEF
brings together a wide-ranging audience from various sectors and we know that the exchange of ideas and perspectives
will lead to a better understanding of and even solutions to some of the challenges confronting the region.
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This year, we have introduced the Youth Environmental Forum in order to broaden the exposure of young people to
some of the environmental issues facing the region. We subscribe to the notion that change will come if the next
generation is informed and engaged. We have been able to facilitate the participation of students and young people
from the Montego Bay area in the event and we look forward to interacting with them.
In closing, I would like to thank my staff, our partners, participants, exhibitors and others who continue to support
CEF as the premier forum of its kind in the Caribbean. Our special thanks also go to the Government and people of
Jamaica, the Honorable Bruce Golding, Prime Minister, The Honorable Dr. Horace Chang, Minister of Housing and
Water and staff of the Ministry as well as the National Organising Committee for CEF 5. I would also like to thank
the Mayor and people of Montego Bay for welcoming us to this beautiful city.
I look forward to a productive and enjoyable week and to receiving you at CEF 5.
FIFTH BIENNIAL CARIBBEAN ENVIRONMENTAL FORUM AND EXHIBITION