Seychelles University Foundation logo launched

Source: Seychelles Nation - 01.09.2007
The chairman of the Seychelles University Foundation, Dr Rolph Payet, yesterday unveiled the logo for the foundation during a short ceremony held at State House, in the presence of members of the foundation.

Also present were the artists who designed the logo, Allen Commetant and Alex Bibi.
Dr Payet described the logo as the identity of the foundation that represents the aspiration and vision of the country to move towards a knowledge-based society.

He said that the logo will be used at all the promotional and fund raising activities of the foundation, and also feature on their brochures and web site.

Saying that the logo is significant and profound, the chairman said that it features a leaf which represents Seychelles’ natural heritage and the need to preserve it.

“It also represents a high-flying nation – flying in the wind, to achieve our fullest potential, and at the same time remain anchored in the tree, not forgetting where our nation comes from,” he said, adding that the leaf also represents a hand holding the nation together, with the flag as a symbol of the country’s national unity and progress.

“The drop of water signifies life – the life of our young people and their future. It also represents the sea, our biggest resource and potential,” Dr Payet said.

He added that the islands are Seychelles’ most fragile and precious asset and that there is need to cultivate a culture of learning so that young Seychellois will grow up to care for, and appreciate the country.

“The Seychelles University Foundation represents the ambition to take our country forward, to stand out in a globalised world, to enable our nation to achieve its full potential, and to provide an opportunity for positive thinking and life-long learning,” he said, thanking Mr Commetant for working on the design, and Mr Bibi for assisting with the production of the logo.

Seychellois at forefront in charting global oceans agenda for next decade

Source: Seychelles Nation - 27.08.2007

Dr Rolph Payet, Special Advisor to the President, has been invited to serve on the Steering Committee of the Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts, and Islands, a communique from his office has announced.

In line with this invitation, Dr Payet has also agreed to chair a Special Working Group on Small Island Developing States (SIDS) primarily to advance the ocean and marine global agenda. 

Dr Payet will work with a number of working group leaders, notably Ambassador Ronny Jumeau (Seychelles’ UN Permanent Representative in New York), Dr Angus Friday (Chairman of the Alliance of Small island states), Ms Diane Quarless (Chief of the Small Island States Unit in the United Nations), Ambassador Jagdish Koojul (former Chairman of the Alliance of Small Island States, from Mauritius), among others.

The purpose of these working groups, organised under the umbrella of the Global Forum for Oceans, Coasts and Islands, is to chart the global oceans agenda over the next ten year period.

The working groups, which include government, NGO and private sector representatives from all over the world, will cover issues such as marine ecosystem health, coastal and ocean management, small island states, fisheries, maritime security and climate change.

The Global Forum on Oceans, Coasts and Islands was mobilised in 2001 to help the world’s governments address issues related to oceans, coasts and islands, especially on the agenda of the World Summit on Sustainable Development which was held in Johannesburg in 2002.

It is to be recalled that Ambassador Jumeau, Dr Rolph Payet and Mr Peter Sinon (in their previous capacities) led a number of initiatives and negotiations at this important global meeting.
The Global Forum will organise its next global summit in 2008 in Vietnam, where it is expected to adopt this 10-year global strategic plan.

The working groups are expected to consider policy issues at stake, evaluate major constraints and obstacles, consider strategic opportunities and issue global policy briefs, and eventually a global report for consideration in upcoming international meetings, in particular the upcoming 2008 Vietnam Global Oceans Conference and the 2009 Indonesia World Ocean Conference.