The Memorial Mural to the victims of the 1862 “Lavalas” comes at a time when natural disasters have been a national preoccupation since the 1998 El Nino-induced rains and the huge downpour after the Tsunami. Yet 35 years ago I heard the head of the International Red Cross say ‘there is no such thing as a natural disaster. There are only man-made ones.’

Commonwealth foreign ministers met in New York on 29 September on the margins of the 67th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.Ministers agreed on a draft charter of the Commonwealth, that embraces its fundamental values, principles and aspirations. This draft charter will now be submitted to Commonwealth Heads of Government for approval.

Prototype this! WIOMSA launched its brand new Marine and Coastal Management for Science program  at the Inception and Partnership meeting held last week in Mombasa, Kenya.  The new 5 year program takes the innovation high ground as it aims to fund research that will lead directly to demonstration or ‘proof of concept’. In other words making a workable prototype of whatever the research comes up with. Read more: http://goo.gl/PpFj3

Nature Seychelles was last week at the tourism fair organised as part of activities to mark World Tourism Day. Held at the International Conference Centre, the fair was used as an avenue to promote sustainable energy within the tourism industry. It saw the participation of local firms working in this area, the hotels and hospitality industry, local NGOs and others.