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By Dr. Basil Springer |
'We do not inherit the earth from our fathers, we borrow it from our children!' Comment by David Brower, joint author of the book 'Let the Mountains Talk, Let the Rivers Run', who was twice nominated for the Nobel Peace prize www.newsociety.com
Bridgetown, Barbados, April
25, 2005: In the first
decade of the 21st century, Counterpart International (operating
in 60 countries) is being driven by its history (40 years) into
a growing role on the world stage, a catalytic activist role
in partnership with intergovernmental agencies, with international
business and with other non-governmental organizations, to facilitate
a more efficient use of the available resources of the First
World to meet the needs of the Third World. We at Counterpart
dare to hope that sooner rather than later, the peoples of both
worlds will meet in One Just World of equitably shared resources.
These are the words of Lelei Lelaulu, President and CEO of Counterpart
International.
Counterpart Caribbean (an affiliate of Counterpart International)
is a sustainable development organisation which is pursuing a
mandate to develop The Future Centre concept. Sustainable
development may be defined as development that meets the needs
of the present without compromising the ability of future generations
to meet their own needs. A goal of Counterpart Caribbean is to
develop The Future Centre into a self-funding fully-fledged educational
and recreational attraction, for the benefit of children, residents
and tourists alike, which will foster holistic sustainable development
in the years to come. It is an Initiative of Hope, building
on the Future Centre Trust created by the late Dr Colin Hudson,
with a mission 'To stimulate awareness of, and address the need
for, sustainable development in the physical, economic, social
and cultural life of Barbados and the Caribbean.' The task
is far from simple or complete but considerable progress has
been made.
Counterpart Caribbean is a member of the newly formed Barbados
Environmental Society the members of which consist of many groups
concerned about the marine and terrestrial ecological environment
(the physical environment). Counterpart Caribbean's interest
also includes the social, cultural and economic environment.
A stable physical environment is necessary but not sufficient
for sustainable development.
If there is social instability then there is potential for unrest.
We must therefore relate to the hierarchy of needs of human society
(the social environment). A culture is the system of shared beliefs,
values, customs, behaviours and artefacts that members of society
use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are
transmitted from generation to generation through learning.
We must develop and treasure these (the social environment). 
Poverty is inevitable without sustainable economic growth. We
must therefore constantly be looking for innovative ways of diversifying
the economies of the region (the economic environment).
Counterpart Caribbean is responsible for The Future Centre which
consists of indoor and outdoor exhibits, mainly depicting the
protection of the physical environment.
The outdoor exhibits are designed to create a pleasing horticultural
ambience by developing gardens, lawns and fruit trees with a
multiplicity of labeled flora and sculptures created from recycled
materials. We also are developing an organic herb and vegetable
tyre garden. There are interpretive murals, solar electricity,
solar heating and solar cooking demonstrations and a planned
Adventure Learning Area for children.
The indoor exhibits at The Future Centre depict 'Choosing Your
Future', 'What is Sustainability?', 'Coral Reef Protection',
'Biodiversity', Harmonious Development', 'Reduce, Re-use, Recycle',
'Conservation of Natural Resources', 'Our Traditions and Culture.'
There is also a Documentation Centre with information on environmental
matters.
As part of our cultural activities we have developed a bond with
a number of artists in Barbados and will be holding our inaugural
Annual Art Show and Auction at Whispers Art gallery, Horse Hill,
St Joseph, on Saturday May 07 2005. We have also developed
a linkage with the golfing community and will be holding our
second Annual Golf Tournament at The Royal Westmoreland Golf
Club on Wednesday September 07 2005.
In terms of the social environment, Counterpart Caribbean has
been involved over the last three years with the Caribbean Media
Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx) which is a Counterpart
International initiative. CMEx, a four-day event, and CMExPress,
a shorter one-day version, are designed to expose young Caribbean
media personnel to international experts in tourism and journalism
with the objective of enhancing their reporting skills on the
largest industry in the Caribbean and its linkages to other sectors.
To cater to the economic environment we have introduced an Incubator
Concept where fledgling enterprises are housed at The Future
Centre to give support to their activities in the embryonic stages
of their development. These incubator enterprises include bio-diesel
manufacturing, confectionery, herbal soaps & lotions and
glass blowing. Other buildings on our site house welding and
warehousing operations.
Counterpart Caribbean is also engaged with other members of the
international Counterpart family and regional associates on consulting
assignments in the areas of 'coral reef regeneration' and 'research
on knowledge systems'.
Counterpart Caribbean is appreciative of the assistance of our
full time employees, the volunteer inputs that we have been able
to garner in our development thus far, as well as the government,
private sector and NGO sponsorship which we have received.