Organisers pleased with Civil Society Organisation’s Expo

An exposition of products and of organisations associated with the Coalition of
Civil Society (CSO) grouping concluded at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday.
It formed part of the several ‘side events’ that have been held as part of the Fourth
International Conference of Small Island Developing States (SIDS4) taking place
in Antigua and Barbuda from May 27-30.
Communications and Administrative Specialist for Integrated Health Outreach
(IHO), one of the organisations affiliated with CSO, Kieron Murdoch said the
organisers were ‘generally pleased’ with the outcome of the exhibition.
“Our goal was to give civil society organisations an opportunity to showcase
themselves; to put themselves on display to let it be known what issues or sectors
they are working in, and when it comes to diversity and the range of these
organisations here in Antigua and Barbuda, I must say is truly something
remarkable,” he declared.
He disclosed that the event was staged by the SIDS4 CSO Coalition, which
includes IHO as both a leader and a partner. “We had organisations taking part in
this event, not just from our coalition but also from organisations which were not
yet part of the coalition but which nonetheless, registered and took part in the
event,” he reported.
Among them were organisations representing environmental advocacy, youth
advocacy as well as organisations concerned with skills development among the
youth. There were also organisations dealing with issues of health such as Antigua
and Barbuda Diabetes Association and Breast Friends.
A number of panel discussions were held as part of the day’s activities as well as
one-on-one interactions with patrons attending the event. On sale were local craft
items, local food and locally made t-shirts.