St Kitts and Nevis students in CSME field promotion
Basseterre, St. Kitts, (SKNIS): Nineteen tertiary students from the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis will travel to Trinidad and Tobago from 1-7 November, to identify opportunities within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME) through a first-hand experience within the field with regards to wage employment, self-employment and starting a business.
Monica Francis, an International Trade Officer within the Ministry of Trade, said that the students will go through a series of exercise reports before they travel, in order to learn more about the CSME. After the completion of the exercises, they will be graded, she added.
Salas Hamilton, Specialist Communications Officer at CARICOM Secretariat for CSME gave some insight into the project.
This project is designed by the staff of the Secretariat and demonstrates our commitment to assisting Member States in ensuring that our young people are more involved in taking part and benefitting from Regional integration,” he said, adding that they were grateful that the European Union (EU) recognised its value and had been a willing partner.
Mr. Hamilton said that between 2008 and 2009, CARICOM was able to expose almost 300 students to the CSME in a practical way.
Our Member States and partners praised and supported this method of Regional integration,” he said. “This year, we intend to engage another 240 tertiary students to gain first-hand experience with regards to CSME”
The Communications Specialist outlined the plan for the next four years.
The approved community strategic plan 2015-2019 identifies areas for priority focus and one of these is the accelerated implementation of the CSME,” Mr. Hamilton said. “This is seen as critical to transition, to growth, to generate employment and to develop human capital.”
He stated that it was important for all stakeholders to be aware of the CSME to ensure that all could benefit. Mr. Hamilton thanked the European Union (EU) for its significant and continued contribution towards creating avenues for information about CARICOM and specifically with respect to the implementation of the CSME.
Mr. Hamilton said that tertiary students and CARICOM Youth Ambassadors from Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Antigua and Barbuda and St. Vincent and the Grenadines had experienced CSME in a practical way.
The Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion project was launched on September 11, 2008, in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Twenty tertiary students, one CSME focal point and one teacher from St. Vincent and the Grenadines completed a week-long visit to St. Kitts and Nevis on Friday, October 16. Their visit, which ran from October 12-17, was facilitated through the Students Engaging the CSME through Field Promotion programme. While in the Federation, they engaged with the St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service (SKNIS). (St. Kitts and Nevis Information Service Press Release)