ST.GEORGE’S, GRENADA, 22nd JANUARY, 2009_ Prime Minister Hon. Tillman Thomas has communicated his government’s full commitment to the United Nations Educational, Scientific Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) during a courtesy call by UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura on Thursday. The Prime Minister expressed appreciation on behalf of the government and people of Grenada to the Director General for the organizations assistance following Hurricane Ivan and the organisation’s support to various sectors, including Education, Health, Training and the development and protection of Heritage sites in Grenada. “UNESCO has played a very important role in the development of various important aspects of Grenada and we are pleased that you have taken the opportunity to visit our island,” the Prime Minister told the Director General. The Meeting which also included the UNESCO Caribbean Director, Dr. Kwame Boafo and Minister of Education Sen. Hon. Franka Bernardine, discussed a wide range of issues including assistance to improve the performance of the Grenadian Media. “As you prepare to pass legislation on freedom of information, we believe the training of journalists and media personnel is very important. UNESCO can provide assistance to help improve the performance of the media,” the Director General told Prime Minister Thomas. Education Minister Bernadine also used the opportunity to discuss the possibility of UNESCO assistance for the enhancement of Grenada’s Prison Education Programme which she says is “bearing fruit”. The Minister pointed to the business and computer elements of programme in describing its overall success. The Minister suggested to Mr. Matsuura that while the government provided a headmistress to the programme, there was need for further strengthening to allow inmates to be able to readjust and make a meaningful contribution to society at the end of their incarceration. The Minister said her Ministry is restaffing its UNESCO office to ensure Grenada can gain maximum benefits from UNESCO’s programmes. The Director General also met with Cabinet following a courtesy call on Governor General Mr. Carlyle Glean early Thursday morning. INSIDE GRENADA NEWS