Activities to celebrate International Year Conference 2012 kicked off during the month of January. The month which was highlighted as Junior Cooperative Month saw two successful implementation of two major activities namely:-
ØConference for Secondary Schools
ØDrama Competition among Primary Schools
The Conference under the theme “Cooperative A Sustainable Business Modal for Youth” was attended by fifty six (56) students representing eleven (11) school around Dominica
Secondary School
The activities of the conference included:
Panel discussion on the socio economic contributions of Cooperative in Dominica and the benefits derived from Cooperative as opposed to other types of business. The panelists were:-
ØMrs. Josephine Dublin, Principal, Convent High School
ØMr. Adrian Bannis, President, Believers Multi Purpose
ØMr. Edward Lawrence representing Chief Education Officer
ØMs. Careen Prevost, Assistant Manager, Dominica Youth Business Trust
Presentation from Mr. Baylon Fontaine (Secretary NAFCOOP) on General Cooperative Development
Discussion (working sessions
Address came from Minister of Education
ØMinister of Social Services and Community Development
ØRegistrar of Cooperatives
The drama competition culminated into the finals on February 15, 2012 between six (6) schools namely Convent Prep, Massacre Primary, Wesley Primary, Salisbury Primary Wills Strathmore Stevens and Woodford Hill Primary. Elimination has held earlier the month. The competition was highly competitive.
The Wills Strathmore Stevens School emerged as number one (1) while Convent Prep, Salisbury schools were number two (2) and three (3) respectively. Aurel Pierre from Wills Strathmore received the price for best actor while Briur Evans from the Convent Prep was judge best actress.
The objective of the month of activities was to:
ØRaise the awareness of the cooperative business model
ØOutline the benefit derive from the cooperative model
ØEncourage the cooperative model at school.
Activities will continue during the month of February with the launching of the Cooperative Magazine and outreach in schools and communities.
The International Year of Cooperatives 2012 was declared by the United Nations under the theme “Encouraging Entrepreneurship through Cooperatives.”