NEPA Partnering with UNICEF to Develop Environmental Stewards

The National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) is partnering with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to host a one-day seminar aimed at empowering students to become better environmental stewards.

This collaboration will see pupils from 15 secondary schools across the Ministry of Education and Youth’s Region 3, converging on the grounds of Knox College in Spaulding, Clarendon, on Thursday, February 29, for an engaging and interactive session.

The seminar, which runs from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., is being held as part of NEPA’s National Schools Environment Club Programme.

Public Education and Community Outreach Officer at NEPA, Trishauna Barclay, told JIS News that the 15 schools targetted for training include five benefitting from UNICEF’s ‘Climate Smart’ initiative.

She said the seminar will cover presentations from representatives of the partnering entities, the UNICEF Jamaica Climate Action Advocate at

Knox College as well as one of NEPA’s 2024 Environmental Heroes.

Ms. Barclay expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration with UNICEF to undertake the training session.

She noted that the objective is to cultivate a generation of environmentally-conscious citizens by equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed decisions about environmental conservation and sustainable living.

“By investing in the education and awareness of students and providing them with practical tools and insights, the programme will inspire a sense of responsibility and stewardship towards the environment,” she said.

“We look forward to witnessing the continuous impact of this initiative on the participating students, and we invite more schools to come on board and help us champion the cause for change,” Ms. Barclay added.

The National Schools Environment Club Programme was launched in 2019 to strengthen environment and science clubs in schools through the provision of guidance, technical support, print resources and access to external environmental stakeholders.

For further information, persons may email pubed@nepa.gov.jm.