Information specialist Ian Edwards of the Organisation of American States (OAS) in exchanges with Counterpart International reinforced the importance of promoting sustainable human development throughout the Americas.

Edwards and Counterpart’s communications team discussed the important and broadening role of the Organization, which comprises 35 member states from Latin America and the Caribbean, plus the United States and Canada, in the hemisphere’s development processes.

The outcomes of these exchanges and associated development indicators will be shared with participants at the Caribbean Media Exchange on Sustainable Tourism (CMEx), organized by Counterpart and partners for St. Lucia June 24-28, 2004 (www.caribbeanmediaexchange.com).

“Everybody benefits from the counsel of a son of the Caribbean who can communicate clearly why we need to maintain regional focus on humane sustainable development,” said Counterpart President Lelei LeLaulu.  “The Counterpart meeting was very useful in underscoring and advancing ideas on key issues related to the upcoming CMEx that St. Lucia will host next month,” said Edwards, a well-known journalist in Washington’s Caribbean Diaspora. Edwards, a Jamaican national, said OAS’ Tourism Unit would look to use CMEx to highlight sustainable tourism aims of the organization.

Counterpart International launched CMEx in 2001 to improve the quality of media coverage of sustainable tourism. “Tourism is the region’s largest employer by far,” said LeLaulu, “and we feel regional professionals could benefit from the neutral forum CMEx affords to air out their concerns and to launch innovative initiatives.”
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