Magazine

Ground - Breaking ministry

ational Diversity an D s ocial i ntegration is a pioneering Ministry, a Ministry of heritage, inclusion, identity and nationhood.

In 2012, the Government realised that even though entities such as the ministries of Community Development and Arts and Multiculturalism existed, there needed to be a hub for coordinating efforts geared at preserving our heritage that would be more coherent and cohesive, hence the genesis of the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration in June of that year.

dissemination of information that seek to strengthen our national identity.

• champion the inclusion of diversity in policy formulation across government agencies;

identity. The current National Development Policy Framework of Government states that:

‘Our Government will embrace the richness and beauty of our people’s great diversity to nurture a more humane and cohesive society. Unity in diversity will inspire the harmony which is also vital to national progress (Page 5).

In this regard, the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration was established to ensure that specific focus is placed on, and continues to be placed on achieving these objectives.

The Ministry was envisaged as both a resource and an advocate for the celebration of diversity, nationalism, patriotism, and inclusion and as a critical facilitator of national progress. Additionally, its mandate is to shape the evolving character of our nationTrinidad and Tobago, through citizen education and

Statutory Boards and other agencies which exist under the purview of Ministry include:

• The National Museum and Art Gallery (Royal Victoria Institute);

• The National Archives of Trinidad and Tobago;

• The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago;

• Inter-Religious Organisation;

• Archaeological Committee;

As a developing country, Trinidad and Tobago must make every effort to embrace our past and appreciate our heritage as a means of protecting and safeguarding our future and identity as a people.

Through its own efforts and those of its affiliated agencies, the Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration will:

• promote broad-based participation in the decision-making and policy formulation process;

• provide support for the observance and celebration of religious holidays and festivals and

• promote and protect all aspects of heritage of Trinidad and Tobago.

This is our mandate and we are committed to fulfilling it with the energy and pride which our nation deserves.

Join us, as we celebrate who we are and where we live, Trinidad and Tobago.

Let us all champion our identity!

Dr. the Honourable Rodger Samuel Minister of National Diversity and Social Integration and Member of Parliament for Arima

the Journey…

The diversity of Trinidad and Tobago is reflected in the linguistic, ethnic, religious and cultural elements of our nation that are rooted in our history. From the First Peoples to the Syrians, twelve ethnic groups have been recorded as having arrived on our shores during and after the 15th century each bringing rich contributions which have formed our identity.

With globalisation, liberalism, and modernism, the concept of diversity has changed from that of a

focus on differences to that of a focus on inclusion. Diversity is now a response to demographic shifts; it is reaching out to those who haven’t been reached before; it is understanding who people are; it is rejecting rejection; it is leveraging the talent of every single citizen of our nation; it is about becoming universalised and it is inclusion.

The Ministry has held diversity conferences with international contributors. Through collaborations with national tertiary institutions,

proposals for a diversity campus have been put forth. We have commemorated national festivals and observances since 2012 focusing on nationbuilding, unity, and inclusion. Highlighting the aspects of history and heritage amidst our relations with international partners, the Ministry’s affiliates have been working towards public awareness, appreciation and engagement.

From Left: Professor Dyer Narinesingh, Senator the Honourable Fazal Karim, Dr. the Honourable Roodal Moonilal, Dr. the Honourable Rodger Samuel, Dr. Clinton Valley, and Professor Clement Sankat.

The audience listens attentively at the First National Diversity Conference - 2013

National Diversity Conference 2013

First National Diversity Conference

His Excellency Anthony Thomas Aquinas Carmona, SC examines artefacts on display by Eric Lewis, Curator of the Moruga Museum.

First peoples heritage 2013

Members of the First Peoples Community take part in a Heritage Walk through the streets of Port of Spain.

first peoples heritage walk 2014

Museum Lecture And Exhibition

Dr. Leroy Clarke

the Journey…

Shaping the Character of our Nation

The Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration is considered to be representative of the soul of the nation. It answers to the teachings of morals, values, and those inherent traits which are deep-rooted in our spirituality. The Ministry pays no regard to religion, only to belief in a Supreme Being, through our affiliation with the Inter-Religious Organisation of Trinidad and Tobago.

With cabinet-approval for financial support to faith-based organisations, the Ministry allows for the shaping of the character of our nation.

Early in the tenure of the Ministry, we applauded the Most Patriotic Schools in the nation and hosted national days of prayer in schools.

Hosting the National Week of Prayer with the support of the Honourable Prime Minister, Mrs.

Kamla Persad-Bissessar S.C, we reached out in prayer against scourges of our society and joined hands with all of our brothers and sisters. We have collaborated with the Ministry of Gender, Youth and Child Development during their vacation camps where we educated the children on aspects of our national identity and history.

Spiritual Shouter Baptist Day 2015 Most Patriotic School 2012

Citizen Education

Minister Samuel with Elders of the Spiritual Shouter Baptist Faith at 2015 celebrations Arima Boys’ Government Primary

Her Excellency Dr. Maurene Modiselle, High Commissioner of South Africa and Minister Samuel

The National Commemoration of the Life and Work of Nelson Mandela 2014

the Journey…

Community Engagement

Since 2010, our nation has been experiencing an evolution in governance with an administration which has chosen to harness and foster inclusion over exclusion, empowerment over enslavement, communication over command, dialogue over directives, and consultation over control.

The concept of community engagement through citizen facilitation and policy formulation and

implementation supports the measure of Pillar 6 - Good Governance, of the seven interconnected pillars in the framework for sustainable development.

The ideology supported by the Ministry is one of cultivation of a participatory environment, a cohesive community and a better Trinidad and Tobago.

Citizen Facilitation

Participants at the Museum Sector Development Consultation prepare for presentations 2015

Consultation On The Development Of The Museum Sector 2015

Civil Society Engagement

Consultation on the development of the museum sector

Museum Association Of The Caribbean (Mac) Agm 2012

La Brea Site Visit after Oil Spill 2014

Civil Society Engagement 2013

National Heroes Policy Consultation 2012

the Journey… Preserving our Heritage

According to the World Heritage Centre at the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), “Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.”

Built heritage can be described as the unique and irreplaceable architecture with historic background that merits preservation for future generations. These can be individual old buildings of historic importance such as houses, churches, castles, military fortifications and other types of buildings, monuments or areas of built heritage value (e.g. town squares, harbours and churchyards). In its broadest sense, built heritage refers not only to ancient history, but also to the modern period.

Built heritage objects are tangible manifestations of a town’s identity and a physical expression of the townspeople’s cultural heritage.

They provide a link to the history and culture of the nation.

According to Article 2 of the Convention concerning the protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, natural heritage is defined as natural features consisting of physical and biological formations or groups of such formations, which are of outstanding universal value from the aesthetic or scientific point of view; geological and physiographical formations and precisely delineated areas which constitute the habitat of threatened species of animals and plants of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation; and natural sites or precisely delineated natural areas of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science, conservation or natural beauty.

With the National Trust, we have been assiduously working to:

Preserve our historical assets

Improve and upkeep the attractiveness of our nation so as to promote economic stimulation by way of tourism and foreign investment

Ensure visual integrity

Maintain of the unique character of each town, each city, of the entire nation

Project specifications for restoration works to heritage sites have been revisited and reinitiated. These include infrastructural development of Nelson Island, the National Museum, the National Archives Building, the Sugar Museum and The Port of Spain Museum at Fort San Andres.

As proud signatories of the UNESCO Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, which was adopted in 1972, Trinidad and Tobago can knock at UNESCO’s door to seek advice on legal, scientific, technical, administrative and financial measures necessary for the identification, protection, conservation, presentation and rehabilitation of our built heritage.

In this regard, we intend to continue partnering with UNESCO in our planned programme to restore, renovate or preserve what has been left to us by our forebears.

We as a society must teach our children about the rich, colourful history of our nation, the importance of our culture and heritage, the story of our struggles, the tales of our triumphs, sense of national pride and citizenry and a better understanding of what we can be to our nation, and our brothers and sisters.

The Ministry is committed to the preservation and conservation of our built and natural heritage through the operations of the National Trust and in collaboration with the Citizens for Conservation and other non-governmental organisations.

Restoration of Nelson Island - Ongoing

National Trust Council 2014

Re-enactment of Indian Arrival on Nelson Island 2013

Board of the National Museum & Art Gallery 2014

preserving our documentary heritage

Colours of the Regiment 2013

Naipaul House Literary Musuem 2014

our Destination:

National Pride

This Ministry is an answer to the vision which was once voiced by our nation’s first prime minister, Dr. Eric Williams. From the days of his lectures at the Trinidad and Tobago Public Library in Port of Spain and the “University of Woodford Square”, Dr. Eric Williams had a mission to “create a citizenry that was well-informed about its history, conversant with topical matters, and politically conscious”. Dr. Williams called upon the masses to reject the histories written by those who “sought only to justify the indefensible and to seek support for preconceived and outmoded prejudices”.

Following our colonial experiences which according to Dr. Williams “left an imprint on these people”, the journey to national identity formation and “embracing a different construction of themselves would be a slow, arduous process”. His vision was that the government will “embrace all races and colours from all walks of life” and be “dedicated to the pursuit of national ends, without any special privilege being granted to race, colour, class, creed, national origin”.

As a nation, Trinidad and Tobago needs to rise above the tribal idiosyncrasies in conviction of our national identity as one people.

In his inaugural message to the nation on 31st August, 1962, Dr. Eric Williams said,

“There can be no Mother India, for those whose ancestors came from India, there can be no Mother Africa, for those of African origin, and there can be no Mother Syria or no Mother Lebanon. A nation, like an individual, can have only one mother. The only mother we recognize is Mother T&T and mother cannot discriminate between her children.”

This Ministry has worked to champion a sense of patriotism in the citizenry. From patriotism fairs, campaigns, the Year of Patriotism 2012-2013, the national flag distribution, public awareness of key insignia and national emblems to the celebration of nation-building

observance such as Independence Day and Republic Day, the Ministry has harnessed the support of the people of Trinidad and Tobago to demonstrate their patriotism and as such, their nationalism.

The Ministry of National Diversity and Social Integration is well on its way to realising Dr. Williams’ dream that each and every citizen regards themselves as truly Trinbagonian.

Minister Samuel holds up a copy of the publication, The National Identity Guidelines of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago