Hello from Trinidad and Tobago, I’m Michael Parris, 24 years old.
I am a founding member of the Rights Action Group, a community based organization which educates communities the throughout Trinidad and Tobago on environmental, economic and political issues that affect them. I love the environment, agriculture and living in a sustainable way within my planet. It is my way of life.
I love meeting people, learning about cultures, customs and sharing experiences.
Right now I volunteer with communities (for example ‘Republic of Cedros’) helping to build their capacity with respect to lobbying, petitioning representatives with their concerns, and educating them on their rights. Issues and problems that communities face, and how they respond are dear to me. This is why I decided to get involved with the conversations and debate of the issues facing the commonwealth.
While the voices of our leaders are important, the actions of their decisions affect their people the most. It is therefore important that the people be proactive to influence those decisions, as well as be properly equipped to understand them and bear them. I see my involvement here, through the blogging as helping people to understand situations, as well as sharing their experiences with the rest of the commonwealth and the world; bringing us closer and bridging the gap that exists between our lives.
Looking forward to the conversations that we’ll have, and the experiences we’ll share. From Trinidad and Tobago to the rest of the World!
Yasmin Esack is a fifty two year old national of Trinidad and Tobago. A former Science teacher at Barataria Secondary school, she took a career path change at the age of forty two and ventured into a business of her own. She successfully ran a Microsoft AATP training institute for five years between 1999-2005 and now has a company in Venezuela that does English Language training.
Yasmin has many interests and presently is the author of three books, two educational ones and one fiction novel. She likes to keep abreast of world affairs and for this reason she decided to be a part of the Commonwealth’s Peoples Forum that is about to take place in Trinidad.
She is a graduate the University of the West Indies where she majored in Science. She is very interested in the whole business of Climate Change and the issues surrounding this crucial issue.
I grew up in Mayaro. I spent my entire twenty years there in a comfortable home with my two brothers and sister and my two parents. Mayaro is a quiet village. I never had the luxury of the fast paced lifestyle but I never take for granted the scenery and the friendly “good morning “ or “good evening” that greets you when you walk past someone in your community.
Of all my talents I value most my artistic ability. Painting and drawing have given me an avenue to freely express myself and although I don’t produce a piece everyday I know that I can resort to it if words fail me.
But words do not fail me often. I write also when I feel an urge to. It is for this reason that I gladly take opportunities that allow me to express myself in writing.
Although I grew up in Mayaro, I spent my entire entire secondary school life attending an educational institution, St. Joseph’s Convent, San Fernando two hours away. I had a fixed routine for seven years. Up at 4:30 a.m every morning, return home at 5:00 p.m. During those rides to and from I would let my mind would wander. Those seven years provided me with “creative exercise” So although I wasn’t able to have the normal social life that teenagers strive for I value all that time I had to explore the folds of my own imagination.
I value friendships, quiet time to myself, sincerity in others and freedom of expression through any medium. I walk in this life looking for some sort of self fulfilment. I think that to do that one must use his or her talents, foster them for the benefit of himself and those around him. I hope I achieve this much and leave a meaningful mark wherever I go.
Hey there, I’m Evan Salina, a 20 year old pursuing my BA in Media & Communication. I spend most of my free time online and I’m an avid gamer. I have a passion for video production, entertainment, traditional media and new media which is where I aim to lend my talents.
I jumped on the opportunity to help where I could since I know it’s not always the easiest thing to find people to help in a technical capacity, and want to see my country embrace technology in a more holistic sense. The British Council’s initiative in having bloggers is a great step in the right direction. I hope in the future I can help in getting blogs a bigger role in our society, with different ministries in our Government having blogs that are taken as seriously as traditional media, and websites that are given proper attention and not just an afterthought.
As an avid blog reader I hope to make my participation encompass the best aspects of blogs, which is a two-way conversation and not just me throwing words out onto the internet. I hope you take the time to comment and let us know what you think and I look forward to hearing your thoughts just as much as the people we’ll be writing about.
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.
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.
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!
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?
- British Council’s acting chair indicated last week (again in our virtual events) that there’s been a growth in the number of young people acquiring english language learning from British Council in the light of the economic downturn? Why do you think this is?
- The internet has brought about a shift in global communities, namely an increase in those of interest more than geography. Where are the challenges and opportunities for British Council?
- What value do you think that the British Council and other cultural relations organisations can add to international institutions such as the Commonwealth / United Nations etc?
community based organization which educates communities the throughout Trinidad and Tobago on environmental, economic and political issues that affect them. I love the environment, agriculture and living in a sustainable way within my planet. It is my way of life.
