Over 35 local & international organizations will be at a family-friendly event in the Botanical Gardens.

Integrated Health Outreach and the SIDS4 CSO Coalition are inviting members of the public to the Civil Society Organization (CSO) Expo at the Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 25th 2024 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 pm.

More than 35 unique local, regional and international CSOs will have the opportunity to display their work and connect with the community during the CSO Expo – a major event connecting our communities to the advocates.

The event will feature food vendors, guest speakers, panels, and interactive dialogues with the public; and is expected to attract between 500 and 750 patrons throughout the day.

The CSO Expo is one of several unofficial pre-events leading into the 4th International Conference on Small Island Developing States (SIDS4).

The group of CSOs organising the Expo, known as the SIDS4 CSO Coalition, is co-led by Integrated Health Outreach (IHO) and the Marine Ecosystems Protected Area Trust (MEPA Trust). It comprises CSOs  in Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean, and in other Small Island Developing States (SIDS) regions who have been mobilising ahead of the SIDS4 Conference.

Executive Director of IHO, Dr. Nicola Bird said, “It was important for us and our CSO partners to create an event for the public to actively participate in the SIDS4 Conference discussions.

This is a milestone event, where everyone can give their inputs, and truly be heard and ask questions.

Our experiences as small island developing states are shared with the impacts rippling across the areas of climate change, gender equality and accessibility. There is a multitude of diversity among civil society. Nonetheless, we have a common cause to improve our communities.”

Our partner, ScrubLifeCares is also hosting an event – their 3rd Annual Women & Girls Health Expo – on May 25th, 2024, at the Cana Moravian Church in the Sweetes Village. This  event takes place from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.

In support of their cause, we are asking our CSO Expo attendees to bring menstrual health products as a donation. These are two amazing events that the public can support leading up to the conference. 

Many SIDS4 CSO Coalition local partners have already registered, including: Good Humans 268, the Commonwealth Youth Climate Change Network (CYCN), the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG), the Antigua & Barbuda Holistic Coalition (ABHC), Circle Of Friends, ScrubLifeCares, AdoptaCoastline, The Be Foundation, and Barbudan GO, among others.

The organisers are encouraging CSOs and food vendors to register for the CSO Expo by May 22nd, 2024. For more information, contact [email protected].