By The Editor

Those of you following this blog will recognise the name ‘David Galipeau’ as being one of the presenters who participated in the Virtual Events on 3rd November.

He’s working here in Trinidad on a series of workshops around the theme of using the Web for Good. Keep an eye out on his blog for more information.

By Adepeju Mabadeje, Guest Writer.

Without doubt, the issue security has remained a persistent source of migraine which many nations across the globe grapples with and Nigeria is clearly not an exception.

Perhaps, the woes of the country in terms of security are further compounded by the Government’s inability to provide basic needs and facilities for its citizens while trying hard to rid itself of corruption to little avail.

The youths of the Nation appears to be worst hit by the uncaring attitude of the government. With unemployment rates being high, falling standard of living and the issue of brain drain, ‘bleakness’ seem to adequately capture the future of the Nigerian youth.

Many seem convinced that the problems of joblessness, idleness and poverty in the land are most likely some of the root causes of the latest business in Nigeria: ‘the business of kidnapping for ransom’.

The statistics are stunning. This year alone, more than 530 people have been kidnapped while more than 90 billion Naira (US$602m) has been paid as ransom to kidnappers. The targets of the kidnappers ranging from monarchs and traditional rulers of big towns to high profile business tycoons, children and relatives of wealthy politicians including the politicians themselves speaks volumes of feelings of the citizens.

Even after some States have introduced a law prohibiting death penalty and making it punishable by death, this business which guarantees maximum returns on little investment not only keeps thriving but remains lucrative.

While I admit that criminal acts should be punished even though not to the extreme of death penalty, I cannot help but ask if the provision of jobs, infrastructure and reduction in the excessive greed of our leaders wouldn’t be more useful in reducing crime than any enacted legislation.

By Yasmin Esack, Guest Writer

So says an article published in a Trinidad and Tobago daily newspaper (Newsday, November 1st, 2009). The article deals specifically with Trinidad and Tobago’s current undertaking to reform its constitution. The author (not named) says clearly that reform means change and constitutional reform should guarantee a better life for people.

According to the article, the current draft proposal is a fine example of how things ought not to be. Why, you ask?

Well, as the author points out, if one examines the proposals in the draft constitution, one fails to see anything that would bring about better governance. For instance, let’s take local government. In chapter 13 of the draft, the one clause mentioned does not address any of the problems that people face daily, like traffic, lack of pipe borne water and poor drainage, and the even bigger problem of age-old tangled, overloaded bureaucracy.

So what’s the point of constitutional reform if there is no meaningful change? As the article suggests, one clause cannot address the issues mentioned above and health care, social services and bad roads as well.

The article points to the fact that the draft constitution does nothing to correct the abuses of ineffective local representation and ineffective government bodies. There is nothing in the draft constitution that gives people the right to recall an elected representative.

Some economists are making a call for a de-politicized local government and instead, have things run by community groups. These groups must be given autonomy to properly manage their communities.

There must be changes to Trinidad and Tobago’s existing constitution so that ordinary citizens could exercise their power and right, something they have been clamouring for, and not have this right limited to every five years at voting time.

Will they get it? I doubt it.

The question is: Should civil society be given the power to govern?

Those of you who viewed the virtual events last week might be interested to see what was going on behind the scenes. Quite a lot of electronics and equipment to keep it all running eh!

And there’s quite a bit more which doesn’t feature in the picture, not to mention the six or so people who made it run!

By The Editor

A couple of days ago, I met with Martin at British Council’s offices in London. Whilst sitting with him, I asked if it’d be ok to ask him a few questions ‘on the record’.

Here are the questions we discussed:

- The Commonwealth Secretary General indicated in our virtual events last week that climate change will be a major issue for leaders at CHOGM this month…. What is British Council doing on this issue?

If you can’t see the audio player below, simply download the podcast from here directly.

Reference links mentioned in the recording:

• Link to information about British Council English Language learning.
• Link to information about British Council Climate Change programme.
• Want to suggest something to Martin? Why not drop him a note?

By The Editor

During our series of virtual events last week, I managed to sit with one of the event leaders, David Galipeau, and asked him about what the web can do for CSO’s. If you can’t see the video below, click here.

 If you’d like to revisit his full presentation, go here.

By Adepeju Mabadeje, Guest Writer.

Although HIV/AIDS was first discovered in Nigeria in 1985, the existence of the scourge was not taken seriously until 1991. Ever since then, human rights violations of patients who openly disclose their status have been on the increase.

From outright discrimination at the place of work to ejection from residential quarters, complete segregation from the society by members, unending woes appear to be the portion of those who seem brave enough to declare their HIV/AIDS status.

On the surface, the Government seems to be trying its best to whittle down the effect of the scourge by providing free anti retroviral drugs to be dispensed at treatment centers in the Country, embarking on mass media campaign to encourage the citizens to know their HIV status, free HIV tests etc, in-depth analysis reveal that a lot more needs to be done if this battle against HIV/AIDS is ever to be won.

In Nigeria, there are no laws protecting HIV patients against any form of discrimination or guaranteeing their privacy and liberty. Confidentiality remains a big problem in combating the scourge of HIV/AIDS as healthcare workers, with no health insurance scheme try hard to protect themselves from the inherent risks.

The thought of getting infected due to the inefficiency and carelessness of the healthcare practitioner at the hospitals where the test ought to be conducted sends jitters down the spine of anyone who has summoned up enough courage to take advantage of the Government’s free HIV testing. Truthfully, the fears of such individuals are founded after a three weeks old baby was ‘mistakenly’ transfused HIV infected blood in a teaching hospital in Nigeria. For many, ignorance is simply bliss.

Perhaps, more worrisome is the fact that, Nigeria, with over 3 million people infected with the HIV virus spread across its 36 States, 109 senatorial districts and 774 local Government can only boast of 66 HIV treatment centres.

The Government’s process of criminalizing same sex marriage and some religious denomination’s policy of denouncing the use of contraceptives also interferes with the accessibility and effectiveness of preventive measures against HIV/AIDS.

The big question remains, with all this loopholes, can the battle against HIV/AIDS ever be won?

By The Editor

Whilst running a series of live virtual events in London on 3rd November 2009, Zoe Ware (RCS) managed to grab Dr Danny Sriskandarajah (RCS Director) for a few words on film.

Dr. Danny Sriskandarajah, Director of the Royal Commonwealth Society, talks about the Commonwealth Conversation, the largest public consultation ever undertaken about the future of the Commonwealth. He says that the profile of the Commonwealth worldwide is worryingly low, and that the Commonwealth must now revitalise itself to become more relevant, especially to young people. He also talks about the benefits of the exchanges that take place across the Commonwealth family, but adds that Commonwealth civil society organisations are under-utilised and need to reach out to more people. 

If you can’t see the video below, click here.

By Simone Leid, Trinidad and Tobago

Development is not synonymous with economic growth alone. It is a means to achieve a more satisfactory intellectual, emotional, moral and spiritual existence. As such, development is inseparable from culture. (UNESCO)

Increasingly, the development monster is altering the cultural landscape of Trinidad and Tobago. High rise buildings and expansion of heavy industry is not only destroying the natural environment and traditional lifestyles, but also creating a sense of alienation and dislocation; a metal beast barrelling ahead like a tornado, crushing the soul of a people in its wake.

We often think of culture in terms of language, religion, dance and festivals. But the natural environment, topography of the land, architecture and traditional modes of production also constitute key aspects of culture. Recognising this important relationship between natural heritage and culture, several international Conventions and Declarations require State parties to ensure that cultural landscapes and natural heritage are protected and that indigenous communities are allowed to preserve their traditional livelihoods and share in the benefits of any rents accrued from extraction or use of its natural resources. (See The Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Convention on Biological Diversity Article 8j, Declaration on the Role of Sacred Natural Sites and Cultural Landscapes in the Conservation of Biological and Cultural Diversity)

In the last several years there has been an on-going battle in the south-west region of Trinidad. Economic development initiatives such as the planned construction of an Aluminium Smelter, a Steel Mill, a port for the Mill and the now completed Water-Taxi service are not only threatening the health and well being of communities in these areas but are also decimating the natural landscape, destroying ecosystems and fishing grounds and eliminating traditional lifestyles and livelihoods particularly in the artisanal fishing and subsistence agriculture sector.

(Read more…)

By Adepeju Mabadeje, Guest Writer.

Female Genital Mutilation which involves the partial or total removal of the external female genital organ or other injury to it has no doubt remained a persistent nuisance for most African Countries, Nigeria inclusive.

This practice, usually carried out by inexperienced women with crude implements, has continued to cause mental and physical depression, pain, painful intercourse due to scar tissue blocking the vagina and labour complications from excessive scar tissue, permanent disabilities and even deaths of numerous females in Nigeria.

From the puberty rites of tradition to the desire to prevent promiscuity in females, personal hygiene etc, so many reasons has been advanced by proponents of this act to justify their deed. To them, the excruciating pains suffered by their patients who are neither given antibiotics or anesthesia is a little price for the ‘protection’ guaranteed by the process.

In Nigeria, the commitment of the Government does not go beyond the papers as there are no federal laws outlawing this barbaric custom. The country thus remains one of the 27 countries in Africa where Female Genital Mutilation is still practiced. This is despite the fact that Section 34(1) (a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria states ‘no person shall be subjected to torture or inhuman or degrading treatment’.

In 2002, the legislative arm of the Country attempted to pass a law prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation. This anticipated law proposes a two years imprisonment jail term or an option of 15,000 naira (100 dollar) for the offender. However, like all other women rights bill, this bill has remained what it is since 2002, just an attempt.

Again, I am asking when will this lip service to women’s rights end?