‘Education On Children Is Important For Future Sustainability Of Environment’
Educating children to assist us in sustaining environment for the future is important.
Re-elected Mamanuca Environment Society (MES) chairman Geoffrey Shaw made the comment at the Castaway Island Resort last weekend.
Mr Shaw said, “It is encouraging to see the benefit of education on youths. These young kids will become teenagers, older people and family themselves.
“If we infuse in them a spirit, understanding the impact that individuals have on the environment; the damage may be prevented by understanding why we have this, it will not only be a positive benefit to today’s generation but for future generations going forward.
During the Mamanuca Environment Society annual general meeting held at the Castaway Island Resort.
Membership
Currently MES has bonafide members made up of 11 resorts and few operators including Sea Fiji, Jets Ski, and Subsurface who all have strong beliefs in the sustainability of the environment.
“We are currently in mid teams in the numbers we have. We would like to have additional members come on board. We understand a cost involved and that we do believe we provide benefit,” he said.
“We have some great sponsors at the moment because without that substantial sponsorship it is very difficult to continue what we do. At the moment we are fortunate we have grant monies coming in from offshore like the Global funds and others major projects from United States.
He added that there was possibility to associate work with the Canadian fund available and other grants from European sectors.
“But of course subject to our application for their acceptance. We cannot stop, we have to keep on going with our work in the future. We have a wonderful guest programme with MES hosts for member resorts frequently with staff and guest involvement,” he said.
“I can say without any provocation that guests of various resort embrace 100 per cent what we are doing. They love to be contributing and give their time, and certainly get involved.”
“It has been my great pleasure and privilege to chair this little group the last 14 years.”
Castaway Islands Resort general manager Steven Andrews replaces Steven Antey who is now treasure. Brad Rutherford of South Sea Cruises joins Seru Naitau of Mana Island Resort as committee members.
MES team
From left: Fiji Airports representative Christopher Chand, SeaFiji’s Jese Boila, chairman Geoffery Shaw, South
Sea Cruises Director Peter Duncan, Tokoriki Island Resort Fiji general manager Robert Ting and Society treasurer
Steven Andrews during the Mamanuca Environment Society annual general meeting held at the
Castaway Island Resort.
Mr Shaw thanked Mar ica Vakacola, project manager as she continues to lead by example and together with her dedicated team pursue the goals and policy objectives of the Society.
“We should be justifiably proud of our small team of professionals who have grown over this past year. Marica and her team keep the Society alive and relevant in the pursuit of environmental best practice awareness techniques through education and training at both local community and commercial stakeholder levels.”
On behalf of MES, he thanked all members, supporters and in particular 2017 major sponsors Coca- Cola Amatil, KPMG, Fiji Airports, Embassy of the United States of America and Outrigger Hotels & resorts.
“Our tourism partners continued support and commitment ensures the survival of MES. We believe that we have an obligation to the Mamanuca islands and her people to grow the work of the Society for the benefit of current and future generations,” he said.
About MES
MES is a non-profit organisation established in 2003 by tourist operators in the region.
Its primary objective is to promote and encourage sound environmental management practises to combat and reduce marine and terrestrial degradation that are important to business development and community livelihood within the region.
The Society is funded through cooperate sponsorship , resort membership, guest donations and development aid funds such as US embassy Pacific Regional Environmental Office grant, Outrigger Resorts and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
