Edgehill, Saint Thomas, Barbados

The Future Centre Trust, recently replaced by Counterpart Caribbean

The Future Centre, a permanent exhibition in Barbados focusing on the sustainability of the country, created a rallying point for those concerned with protection of the environment. The Centre focuses on role models from Barbados and other countries in addition to practical demonstrations on eco-farming, permaculture, composting, alternative energy, gray water reuse, as well as other issues pertaining to the environment and development.

Its creation resulted from the 1994 UN Conference on Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States, hosted by Barbados. During the conference, an NGO forum exhibition, entitled “The Village of Hope”, included 300 displays which depicted “The Horror”, environmental decay, and “The Hope”, environmental protection if special action is taken.The linkage of art, spirit and technology had been one of the key developments at the Village of Hope.

The Future Centre, under the patronage of the Governor General, was established by a group of concerned citizens. Later, the project came under the patronage of the President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). The Future Centre has an interactive exhibition on environmental issues around the many themes of the “Village of Hope” located in an old plantation house. Significant teaching themes include the “Eco-logical Footprint” and Swedish “Natural Step”. Extensive gardens hold a variety of exhibits, plants and an herb tire garden. Vegetarian dishes served at the restaurant use organic ingredients straight out of the gardens. The Future Centre Trust and other NGOs in Barbados are ac-tively involved in the process of decision-making as well as in multi-sectoral committees which make decisions pertaining to the environment. The Trust is also involved in looking at alternative ways to dispose of solid waste other than landfill, such as composting.

• Management of wastes (Chapter III of Barbados Programme of Action)
• Energy resources (Chapter VII of BPoA)
• Science and technology (Chapter XIII of BPoA)

• The Future Centre was acknowledged in Barbados and overseas as an important model for sustainable development awareness building.
• Public awareness about issues concerning the environment increased. Children thoroughly enjoyed the activities provided by the Centre. Other participants included leading businessmen and prominent overseas visitors.
• In 1998, the Future Centre with the Recycling Council of Alberta (Canada) conducted an exploratory project focusing on recycling technology.
• A grant was given to the Dominica Conservation Association.
• The Future Centre in conjunction with other organizations in Barbados continues to conduct free guided hikes twice every Sunday. If a full moon is expected, a third hike is added. Two levels are available for hikers, “energetic” and “stop and stare”. The latter involves frequent stops, for the guides give information about the flora, fauna, history or ge-ology of that particular spot.

• The main lesson learned is that a rallying point like the Future Centre is probably the best way of moving systematically and gently to a new way of thinking about the environment.
• Although it has the potential to be financially viable, it requires a systematic flow of resources for the development aspects.
• Because of the impetus from the “Village of Hope”, the Centre was able to draw on much expertise and voluntary help that would not necessarily be available to other SIDS.
• Unsure as to the long-term availability of resources, a restructuring was recently undertaken, including replacing the original Trust with a link to an overseas NGO. The initial impetus has been lost somewhat during the reorganization.The Centre has been adopted by Counterpart International.

For the development phase I of the Future Centre, and its pre-decessor,
Village of Hope:
Colin Hudson
Treading Lightly
Tel.: (246) 425-0073
E-mail: treadlight@sunbeach.net

For developments since 1999 contact:
Marilyn Gilmore, Basil Springer, Bob Hurley
Counterpart Caribbean
Tel.: (246) 425-2020
E-mail: futurecentre@sunbeach.net