Dominica to observe World Rivers Day

The Roseau River
The Roseau River will be the focus of activities

World Rivers Day is celebrated on the last Sunday of September each year and this year is no exception.

The day will be celebrated on September 27 and millions of people in more than 60 countries around the world, including Dominica, are expected participate.

River advocate, Fr. Franklyn Cuffy, said the budget for observing the day in Dominica is about $10,000.

“Dominica plans to celebrate this day with a week of activities from September 23rd to 27th,” he explained. “On Tuesday 23rd of September there shall be a symposium on the significance of Pope Francis encyclical on Climate Change.”

He also said tree planing, cleanups and river hikes are some of the activities planned however the main focus shall be on the Roseau River.

Cuffy also mentioned that although Dominica boasts of 365 rivers, those that we have are either dead or in need of restoration.

He said the theme for celebrating the day in Dominica will be “Where have all Our Rivers Gone.”

Petra Shillingford (Agricultural Department), Taihisa Peter Guye (Consultant Geologist) and Fr. Cuffy are spearheading the 2015 Rivers Day Committee.

Over the past 10 years Dominica has been the only Caribbean country which has actively participate in World Rivers Day.

World Rivers Day is a celebration of the world’s waterways. It highlights the many values of rivers and strives to increase public awareness and encourages the improved stewardship of rivers around the world.

The United Nations launched the Water for Life Decade in 2005 to help create a greater awareness of the need to better care for the world’s water resources.

Following this, the establishment of World Rivers Day was in response to a proposal initiated by internationally renowned river advocate, Mark Angelo.

Copyright 2012 Dominica News Online, DURAVISION INC. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.

Disclaimer: The comments posted do not necessarily reflect the views of DominicaNewsOnline.com and its parent company or any individual staff member. All comments are posted subject to approval by DominicaNewsOnline.com. We never censor based on political or ideological points of view, but we do try to maintain a sensible balance between free speech and responsible moderating.

We will delete comments that:

  • contain any material which violates or infringes the rights of any person, are defamatory or harassing or are purely ad hominem attacks
  • a reasonable person would consider abusive or profane
  • contain material which violates or encourages others to violate any applicable law
  • promote prejudice or prejudicial hatred of any kind
  • refer to people arrested or charged with a crime as though they had been found guilty
  • contain links to "chain letters", pornographic or obscene movies or graphic images
  • are off-topic and/or excessively long

See our full comment/user policy/agreement.

12 Comments

  1. River Enthusiast
    August 13, 2015

    There are 45 days left to “World Rivers Day 2015”.
    It is encouraging that a number of River Advocates are meeting weekly to prepare for this years event. From all accounts it seems that there is going to be more participation this year than ever.
    World Rivers Day gave birth to the Titiwi festival, which has been a great success thanks to the Layou Improvement Committee, headed by Mr. Lazar Charles. 2015 has been declared as the Year of the Viyo, and it is hoping that it will once again reappear in the cuisine of the Dominicans.
    Every Community is being asked to plan an event to mark the 10th. Anniversary of World Rivers day, however, the main focus will be on the Roseau River, under the theme: “Where have all our Rivers Gone”.

  2. Bernard Wiltshire
    July 29, 2015

    While it is important to acknowledge the role played by Mark Angelo in initiating World Rivers Day internationally it is equally important to acknowledge that it was the Waitukubuli Ecological Foundation (WEF), that initiated the observation of World Rivers Day” in Dominica to highlight 2006 as “The Year of The Rivers”.That is important for institutional continuity. Institutional continuity is important and necessary for the success of any Movement or Community and is also necessary for historical accuracy.

    WEF spearheaded and still does an environmental Movement with great hope for Dominica, aiming to make our people take our “nature island of the Caribbean” more seriously and to aim to make our country a model environmental economy for the world. That is why we initiated World Rivers Day here. It is becoming clearer to ever more people that that is our best chance of ever achieving a sustainable economy in this island.

  3. River Enthusiat
    July 29, 2015

    Thank you DNO for such beautiful photo of the Roseau River.
    As we join in observing World Rivers day 2015, we would like to encourage all Dominicans to present their favorite River Photos.
    A photo tells a 1000 stories, so let us all join in telling our stories, especial to this Generation, whom may not have had some of the great Community, Family River experiences we had in the past.
    Let the Story be told!

  4. Catherine Polydore
    July 29, 2015

    As a Dominican returning home after a long time away, one of the many treasures that I looked forward to was submerging in the crystal clear waters of one of our many rivers. Though I have had the pleasure to wallow in the splendor of some more remote rivers, the lack of the thriving river culture of my earlier years, most notably the Roseau River, was resounding. Given the increasing significance of fresh water as a precious resource, it’s imperative that we not only recognize what we have, but actively conserve and preserve what we have. It’s not an arduous task. We can take small measures in our “river” communities first by making a commitment to play absolutely no part in their pollution; by educating our children about the same, and by coming together to remove anything unnatural that currently occupies the beds and banks. I’m thrilled to know that we observe World Rivers Day, however, let’s not grow complacent with it and instead let’s don an attitude of World Rivers Every Day!

  5. Massacre
    July 29, 2015

    Lovely Dominica , land of free flowing waters. God Bless Dominica and its people! One day these same rivers will be the power maker for Da.

  6. July 29, 2015

    Stop adoring the creation..It’s only there for your enjoyment…
    Start to adore the CREATOR…Give HIM all the days..for HE created it all…

    • Ideal
      July 29, 2015

      That is why we are thanking God for the 365 rivers he has given Dominica. This is a day of thanks, we are not worshipping the creation we are worshipping the creator.. We Dominicans should be grateful that we can still jump in almost all rivers and enjoy the clean and refreshing water. Think of all the islands and countries with dirty polluted rivers. We are so lucky. Thank you God for our nature island Dominica

  7. July 29, 2015

    What next will you all put a day aside for ???
    Go..Thank GOD for the river…end of story…

  8. fire man
    July 28, 2015

    titiwi fest happens on world rivers day in layou

    • River Enthusiast
      July 30, 2015

      Layou you have done very well with the Titiwi Fest.
      However, remember the “Health” and “Life” of the Layou River are in your hands,

      No River No Titiwi!
      We are looking forward to more River activities during your next festival.

      May God bless and guide.

  9. Really?
    July 28, 2015

    Tell Dawasco to stop ruining the rivers in the interior with their water project. They have destroyed our river tearing it up along with our road for intake and washout for the Belles water project and are not even giving us water a few feet away. We used this water for drinking and washing but is all mud now and our road washes out every time it rains, which is everyday in Pond Casse. I have heard many others complain about their roads and land around the interior that have been ruined by Dawasco. Who the f*k are their engineers? This is the worst case of misconstruction I have seen. Many of the poles on the road are tipsy turvy now too..just waiting for some heavy wind or storm and there will be a disaster. Also, even though they will not give us water when we are their source, a huge house being built across the road already has their water pipes laid across the road ready for access. And by the way Dawasco, cover up that big cut across the road that you always leave!!!

  10. anonymous2
    July 28, 2015

    What? You need a “budget” to declare and celebrate an observance? There is no hope for this island.

Post a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

:) :-D :wink: :( 8-O :lol: :-| :cry: 8) :-? :-P :-x :?: :oops: :twisted: :mrgreen: more »

 characters available