LONDON MISSION VOLUME 73 - NOV 2018 WELCOME MESSAGE FROM HIS EXCELLENCY ORVILLE LONDON n recent months, a number of activities nationals in the United Kingdom must, therefore, and incidents have brought focus on the face the possibility of economic decline and its character of our people, the intricacies negative consequences. Iof our society and the challenges that we continue to face, in an increasingly complex I am aware of their concerns but I have been and ever changing modern world. In Trinidad, impressed by the desire of so many members of communities are still recovering from the floods the diaspora to contribute to the development of which had devastated the homes of hundreds of their own homeland. However that desire will not be residents. But in the midst of that devastation and despite translated into impactful action except there is meaningful the isolated cases of deviant behaviour, there were numerous and consistent communication among members of the instances of community cooperation and individual diaspora and between the diaspora and stakeholders in generosity, even heroism. Meanwhile, the country’s economic Trinidad and Tobago. situation remains challenging and our recovery will depend as much on the resilience of the population, as on the policies Over the years, the London Mission has remained conscious of of the Government. In these circumstances, President its responsibility to assist in facilitating that interaction. It has Paula Mae Weekes’ admonition in her Independence Day been producing the Newsletter for more than three decades Address that “every individual has an important role to and although social media would have revolutionised the play in nation building as institutions merely facilitate the entire communication process, it is still critically important democratic process” must instruct our actions, as we face this that we chronicle our activities, share relevant and accurate unpredictable future. information, pay tribute to our exemplars, discuss topical issues and provide opportunities for individuals and organisations to The environment is just as unpredictable for nationals living express themselves; on paper. The Mission expects to continue in the United Kingdom where the Brexit dilemma continues producing the Newsletter and invite our readers to submit to dominate the headlines and frustrate the decision makers. contributions and provide feedback to the Public Affairs, With less than five months before the United Kingdom Culture and Tourism Unit, at the London Mission. is due to leave the European Union, there is still no agreement within Prime Minister Theresa May’s Cabinet; This Newsletter is produced, totally in house. This includes dwindling prospects of gaining a majority within the British writing, editing, type setting and printing. The production of Parliament, for any of the available options; and increasing this issue was not without challenge and I must pay tribute to pessimism over the European Union’s inclination to offer the staff members Beverley Awonaya and Lawson Lovell whose concessions that would make a Brexit deal acceptable to a dedication and persistence ensured that we can deliver, even Parliament that must approve it. The Trinidad and Tobago if belatedly, this issue of the London Mission Newsletter. STAY CONNECTED Facebook Twitter Website CONTENTS TTHC London @TTHC_London foreign.gov.tt/hclondon LONDON MISSION / NOV 2018 / ISSUE 73 Complete the National’s Registration Form online or in person at the T&T High Commission. the 1/ Message from Her Excellency Paula-Mae 15/ THA Chief Secretary Charles meets A Publication of: The High Commission for Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, London Weekes on the Occasion of Independence High Commissioner London 42 Belgrave Square, London SW1X 8NT Day 2018 16/ Commonwealth Fair 2018 TEL: 020 7245 9351 | FAX: 020 7823 1065 EMAIL: 2/ Message from the Honourable Dr Keith [email protected] Rowley, Prime Minister on the Occasion of THE DIASPORA SPEAKS PRINTING Republic Day 2018 17/ Rudolph Walker Inter-School Drama Awards Public, Affairs, Culture and Tourism Department of The High Commission for the Republic of 5/ Budget Highlights 2018/19 18/ A Message from The Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago German Association THE HIGH COMMISSIONER’S CORNER EDITOR-IN-CHIEF CONTRIBUTING 20/ Ansel Wong Makes London Awesome H.E. Orville London PHOTOGRAPHERS 6/ Caribbean Diaspora celebrates Caricom Mr. Lawson C. Lovell 26/ Celebration of the Life of Kofoworolla June Day 2018 CONTRIBUTING Mrs. Beverley Awonaya WRITERS Esme Baden-Semper (1933 - 2018) VIEWS H.E. Orville London LAYOUT AND FROM THE MISSION Mrs. Beverley Awonaya DESIGN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWS 8/ National Meeting with the Diaspora Mr. Lawson C. Lovell Mr. Lawson C. Lovell 29/ Tobago Students to share Insights from 9/ Passing Of A Literary Genius PROOFING: UK Trip Mrs Dawn Elie-Forde 11/ Independence Day 2018 Celebrations 30/ Trinidad and Tobago is Open For Mrs. Beverley Awonaya 14/ WTM Launch for New Tobago Tagline Business MESSAGE / THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT MESSAGE FROM HER EXCELLENCY PAULA-MAE WEEKES ON THE OCCASION OF INDEPENDENCE DAY 2018 ellow citizens, on 31st August 1962, entitled to pat ourselves on the back, but Trinidad and Tobago shook off the when they go wrong, as they often do, we reins of colonialism and dared to must not lay blame at the feet of others. Fgo it alone. To the tolling of bells, the Our attitudes and the lens through Union Jack was lowered for the final time which we view our roles as citizens must and the Red, White and Black hoisted to be firmly aligned to the needs of our signal the birth of our nation. country, which at this time in our history, appear more demanding than ever. In his Independence address, Dr Eric Williams, our nation’s first Prime Every individual has an important role Minister, charged the citizens of this to play in nation-building as institutions land always to place first the national merely facilitate the democratic process. interest and cause. He further proclaimed The active participation of every citizen amidst great country-wide expectations in the social, economic and political You are on your own in a big world. You life of our nation is required to ensure are nobody’s boss, and nobody is your that our children inherit a stable and boss. No longer were we attached by the prosperous country. umbilical cord to the metropole; we had Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes, President of secured the right to determine our own the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Our journey to maturity can only be future – an exhilarating, if somewhat accomplished if we are united, not only daunting prospect. How independent are we? by a common goal, but with agreement on how this can be achieved. Let us Since then, Trinidad and Tobago has It is a significant sign of maturity aspire together and achieve together as enjoyed a relatively stable democracy, when a nation embarks on this most we press forward into the future, working significant economic transformation and solemn of endeavours, charting the to ensure that our carefully selected general improvement in the quality of life course to self-determination and taking watchwords: Discipline, Production and of its citizens. Recently though, challenging full responsibility for the future of its Tolerance are incorporated into our daily circumstances have arisen, brought on citizenry but political separation from lives. by rising levels of criminal activity and the United Kingdom was only the first economic uncertainty. In that context and step of our long journey of self-discovery. We cannot afford to sit and wait for considering the continued role of the Privy development to happen – we must Council in determining our affairs, our Independence has never been a static shoulder the daily responsibility of being vulnerability as a Small Island Developing notion; it implies the constant working disciplined, caring and industrious in State to the vagaries of the world economy out of identity and purpose, sovereignty order to build Trinidad and Tobago and the effects of climate change on our over one’s decisions and taking into the great nation we know it can tiny island, among other concerns, the responsibility for one’s actions. When be. The privilege of having control question need be posed: those decisions bear good fruit, we are over our affairs must be matched by determination to fulfil the vision of the many Trinbagonians who longed for and finally achieved our independence. I am confident in the strength of our diversity, the oneness of our common ideals and the sufficiency and resolve of our people, to harness their considerable talents in the service of making Trinidad and Tobago a nation in which we can all take pride. At left: President Paula-Mae Weekes, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces at I wish the national community a safe, the Independence Day Parade in Port of Spain, happy and enjoyable Independence Day. Trinidad and Tobago, Above: Mounted Police escort Her Excellency from President’s House to the Queen’s Park Savannah for the Parade. Volume 73 |LONDON MISSION 1 MESSAGE / THE OFFICE OF THE PRIME MINISTER MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE DR KEITH ROWLEY, PRIME MINISTER ON THE OCCASION OF REPUBLIC DAY 2018 ellow Citizens, Today we mark we are afforded and more specifically to 42 years since Parliament first the way this representation is exercised in met under our new Republican the Parliament. FConstitution. In 2006 the Parliament began televising As I reflect on that first sitting, I am again its proceedings via a dedicated television reminded of the weighty responsibility channel. Online streaming began shortly entrusted to all of us who represent our thereafter. beloved nation in that esteemed place. This was an important step in ensuring I would like to take this opportunity to that you are regularly updated on matters urge all citizens to demonstrate a keen of national interest.