Thursday, as part of World Environment Day, during a commemorative event at the Gymnasium Vincent, President Martelly, in the presence of the Minister of Environment, Mr. Jean Francois Thomas, other Government officials, personalities from civil society and hundreds of schoolchildren and teachers, strongly emphasized the importance of this day and the protection of the environment and in particular appealed to the civic consciousness face the current environmental degradation.

President Martelly, for whom the environment, one of the five "E" of his political program is a priority, took the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to change the situation, while inviting the public, schools in particular, to get their hands dirty.

In addition, the President of the Republic has partnered with the Ministry of Environment in collaboration with its partners, including the Ministry of National Education, to award the Prize of Excellence Elie Dubois to the Agronomist Yves André Wainright, former Minister of the Environment ; the Price Nicolas Schiller, to the couple Jean Robert Julien, Founders of "Réseau d’Enseignement Professionnel et d’Interventions Écologiques" (REPIE) and the Price Erick Leonard Eckman, to Jean Winner, Director of the "Foundation for the Protection of Marine Biodiversity" (FoProBiM) to have contributed, through their activities, to the the consolidation of the environment. These excellence awards were presented according to Articles 76 and 86 of the Decree on Environmental Management and of Regulation of the Conduct of Citizens for Sustainable Development.

"They are role models," declared the Head of State, noting that "the struggle for the strengthening of the environment is a duty of every citizen."

Outreach activities started from June 2 to mark the World Environment Day, will continue until June 7 throughout the country, including in Port-au-Prince, Les Cayes, Jacmel, Port de Paix and the Ile-de-la-Gonâve.

HL/ HaitiLibre