Environmental Education, referred to in Agenda 21 as Environmental Literacy, after the UN Conference in Rio De Janeiro in 1992, has emerged as a vital and critical issue at the global, national and local level as we enter a new millenium. In Jamaica, a small island developing state, this issue has been on the agenda since the early 1970s. Many Jamaican institutions, organizations and individuals have been involved in initiatives related to the Environmental Education throughout the country as concern for the quality of the environment and the implications for human health, livelihoods and sustainable prosperity has become progressively deeply rooted in the national consciousness. The growing economic and social challenges facing the nation as we explore the path to sustainable development have helped to set the stage for the evolution of an unprecedented national effort in Environmental Education for citizens to attain Sustainable Development in the 21^st century.

The Natural Resources Conservation Authority (NRCA), under the NRCA Act of 1991, is mandated to promote public awareness of the ecological systems of Jamaica and their importance to the social and economic life of the island. In an attempt to coordinate the ongoing efforts, and find creative and innovative new strategies for fulfilling this mandate, and in recognition of the fact that national problems require genuine partnerships for resolution, the NRCA spearheaded the formation of the National Environmental Education Committee (NEEC) in 1993. This multi-stakeholder group, bringing together educators, environmentalists, community and private sector interest groups, consumer advocates as well as international agencies, undertook the development and implementation of activities to review, rationalize and harmonize ongoing activities. The NEEC initially sought to rationalize and harmonize roles, relationships and functions of the main players involved in environmental education at all levels.

In 1996, with the commencement of the Government of Jamaica/Canadian International Development Agency Environmental Action Programme, the NEEC commenced work on a National Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development (NEEAPSD). The commitment of the various partner organizations and the dedication of the individual who have worked on the plan are commendable.

This important national initiative is Jamaica's National Master Plan which provides a framework for the achievement of Environmental Literacy in the early decades of the 21^st century. It was developed through a process of participation and consensus building involving a wide range of stakeholders and is guided by a vision of Jamaica in the 21^st century in which social, environmental and economic development are in balance and simultaneously pursued.

The plan is the National Framework Document, and seeks to harmonize Environmental Education action towards measurable results related to Jamaican citizens in a sustainable future. Chapter 2 of the document provides vision statements of what Jamaicans desire in this future where prosperity for posterity is a national goal. Its implementation is even more critical than its development and its success depends upon long-term support from the Government, the public sector, all elements of the civil society and the private sector. The NEEC and the NRCA are committed to the facilitation of this process.

Underlying the strategies employed will be the long-term institutionalization for Environmental Education for Sustainable Development. Mobilization for implementation requires collective energy and long-term commitments. Opportunities must be sought, where synergies exist, to enrich existing and new education programmes. An NEEC Secretariat housed within the NRCA will remain the lead agency in the implementation of the Action Plan and will work with Lead Agency Focal Points with key sectors to mobilize support for project identification, prioritization, development and implementation. A parallel process of awareness-raising and advocacy will be undertaken by the Secretariat and the Lead Agency Focal Point on the National Environmental Education Action Plan for Sustainable Development. It is heartening that already top-level endorsement and commitment to the plan are being registered.

The National Environmental Education Committee, through its governing body, will develop and implement a performance review framework to monitor the progress of the plan.

Environmental Education for Sustainable Development - a great opportunity for Jamaicans to join forces for stewardship of our heritage!