UNESCO Secretary General for the St. Maarten National Commission Ms. Marcellia Henry presented the UNESCO 2014 Calender on Underwater Cultural Heritage to Culture Minister her Excellency Patricia D. Lourens-Philip, Archeologist Dr. Jay Haviser and Head of the Culture Department Mr. Neville York.
Minister Lourens, Dr. Haviser and Mr. York attended the UNESCO International Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage in Lima, Peru at which time, they made a presentation to the other international delegates on the Underwater Cultural Heritage of Sint Maarten. "We are therefore please to see that St. Maarten’s Man of War Shoal Marine Park is featured in the 2014 UNESCO International Calendar on Underwater Cultural Heritage and themed Celebrating the International Year of the Small Island Developing States" said Minister Lourens.
The Man of War Shoal Marine Protected Area is located directly outside of Great Bay’s shallow waters. After the conference the attendees were asked to contribute to the 2014 calendar and so a wonderful picture by Mauricio Handler, was submitted to Dr. Haviser via the Nature Foundation onward to the UNESCO conference committee is featured for the month of September.
During the short ceremony the group made sure to mention that they are still working towards the ratification of the UNESCO convention for the protection of Underwater Heritage. "I hope that this stimulates us to recognize the importance of protecting our Heritage sites on Sint Maarten" said Dr. Jay Haviser.
Minister Lourens would like to thank photographer Mauricio Handler of DCA, the Nature Foundation for the wonderful photo. UNESCO stands for the United nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, its office is located in Harbour View and the Secretary general can be reached at 543-1236 ext 303.