With the current generation of youths, the main misconception is that they are more centered on their electronic devices but the Caribbean Youth Environment Network (CYEN) is dispelling that myth by getting the youths involved in the protection and preservation of the environment.
The CYEN is a non-profit, civil society organization that f
ocuses its resources on empowering young people and their communities to develop programmes and actions to address socio-economic and environmental issues. The CYEN focuses on promoting and facilitating youth engagement and participation through education and awareness, as well as advocacy and lobbying about fundamental issues such as youth employment, sustainable development and the green economy, climate changes, ecosystems conservation and other natural resource management issues.
The organization was formed in 1993 with members including University of Guyana lecturer Dr. Paulette Bynoe, however, a subsequent constitutional change created national chapters and the Guyana Chapter came into force around 2005/6.
The vision for the organization to become the leading youth environment and development organization in the Caribbean. It is envisioned that it would be responsible for creating an appropriate space for young people to participate in the design, development, implementation; and promotion of new, progressive, equitable, innovative and sustainable environmental, economic and social development policies and programmes across the wider Caribbean.
Since its establishment, over twenty-five years ago, the organization has been able to move steadily into the fulfillment of this vision. Across the Region, there are over 800 members and at the moment there are over 30 members a part of the local chapter
The organization is engaged in capacity building sessions on environmental and sustainable development issues while engaging school environmental clubs and participating in coastal cleanups, tree planting exercises among other things. In addition, the CYEN is conducting research on environmental issues and utilizing that information to create a space for its members to partake in national and regional dialogue on the plethora of environmental issues.
According to the organization, their mandate is to engage in efforts to improve the quality of life of Caribbean youths by facilitating their personal development and promoting their full involvement in all matters pertaining to the environment and sustainable development. The organization also promotes education and training, Caribbean integration and community empowerment as tools to develop an ethic amongst young people that assist in the conservation and protection of natural resources within the wider Caribbean.
As a Non-Governmental Organization, the CYEN relies heavily on the support and kindness of the business community and the kind patronage of Guyanese. They also receive support the Ministry of Environment and the Environment Protection Agency.
In commemoration of World Environment Day 2018, the CYEN collaborated with the Guyana International Volunteer Effort, which cleans the Georgetown seawall every Tuesday. They mobilized a group of students from the School of Nations Environmental Management class, Interact club and Science Club, Tucville Secondary School, The Bishop’s High School Environmental Club, Mae’s Secondary School, Global Technology and Ecotrust Society to remove the debris from the Georgetown Seawall area. (Guyana Times Sunday Magazine)
