the T&T SPECIAL 2009 YEAR IN REVIEW ISSUE April 2010 The Official Monthly Publication of the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, Washington DC diplomat and Permanent Mission of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to the Organization of American States in this issue THE FIFTH SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS HIGHLIGHTS US President Barack Obama in Trinidad and Tobago STEELPAN TAKES WASHINGTON DC BY STORM BP Renegades performs to a sold-out audience at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts LAUNCH OF THE TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE T&T Hits The International Financial Stage IMPORTANT NEW INFORMATION Embassy of T&T Launches the First Mobile Immigration Unit www.ttembassy.com & diplomatT T COVER Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago greets US President Barack Obama during the Fifth Summit of the Americas which was held in April 2009 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 4 EDITOR’S NOTE 5 GREETINGS FROM THE AMBASSADOR 6 SUMMIT SUCCESS 11 TRADE AND INVESTMENT: a. NS & J Advisory Group Trade Mission to Trinidad and Tobago b. Launch of the Trinidad and Tobago International Financial Centre c. Honourable Mariano Browne Convinces Washington Business Elite to “Do Business in Trinidad and Tobago” d. Global Business Cooperative Trade Mission 16 FEATURE SPEECH: Statement by the Honourable Patrick Manning at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, Copenhagen, Denmark 19 Washington DC Celebrates The History of the Steelpan with an Oral Pictorial Presentation by Dr. Kim Johnson 20 THE DIASPORA CELEBRATES: - Spiritual Shouter Baptist Liberation Celebration - Indian Arrival Day Celebration - Independence Celebrations - Divali Celebrations 28 CARIBBEAN GLORY – A Tribute to World War II Caribbean Heroes 31 DIASPORA FOCUS: Dr. Anthony Kalloo, Gastroenterologist Table of Contents of Table 32 Trinidad and Tobago is the Cultural and Entertainment Centre of the Caribbean 35 Embassy’s Immigration Department Launches Community Outreach Program 3 36 Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago Hosts First Staff Awards Ceremony 39 CULTURAL SHOWCASE: Ewart Rouse, Author of Sticky Wicket 40 NEW APPOINTMENTS: a. Ms. Donna Henry b. Colonel Roland Maunday c. Mrs. Hayda Wallen - Jaganath d. Staff Sargeant Nadine Pompei 42 SPOTLIGHT ON T&T WONDERS – The Traditional Characters of Carnival 46 UPCOMING EVENTS – Trade and Investment Convention 2010 & diplomatT T & diplomatT T EDITOR’S NOTE Dear Readers, 2009 was quite a year! Indeed, it is no secret that, only a glimpse of the greatness and versatility of at the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in the only acoustical musical instrument to have Washington DC, we brought the last decade to a been invented in the 20th century. close with great momentum in every sphere of development. The culmination of our steelpan showcase came in the Summer with the performance of the BP From the forging of closer relations with the US Renegades Steel Orchestra with three of Trinidad Administration led by President Barack Obama to and Tobago's leading opera singers at Classics and the effective engagement of the business Steel – a phenomenal, sold-out concert at the community in Washington DC, 2009 provided Kennedy Center for the Perforimg Arts. Words will lucrative avenues for positioning Trinidad and not do this experience justice – I can only quote Tobago as a key player in this dynamic and one of the producers at the Kennedy Center who competitive global market. said that, in 3 decades of music, “I have never experienced anything this fantastic.” Trinidad and Tobago is now on the lips of influential persons in varied quarters. Many I must emphasize that this 2009 Year In Review is international economists, social development not just about our achievements here at the experts, political scientists and business leaders in Embassy, but equally important, about you, our Washington DC are now determining their own valued readers. strategies for playing a role in the many innovative developmental initiatives which are being This is why, we have once again, included our implemented by the Government of Trinidad and Diaspora Focus and Cultural Showcase to highlight Tobago. the work of those nationals who are courageously taking the leap forward in displaying to the world It is our fervent hope that, after reading of the the unique talent of our nation. The interviews with exciting developments in our beloved country, you, Mr. Ewart Rouse, writer, and Dr. Anthony Kalloo, 4 our valued reader, will also decide the role that you renowned gastroenterologist, are inspirational, will play in this unprecedented development thrust. beyond measure, and we encourage all readers to take the time to read about the huge impact that In this issue, you will learn of the stellar they are making on this continent. undertakings of the Embassy under the astute guidance of Her Excellency Glenda Morean Phillip, I do hope that you will enjoy this 2009 In Review to strengthen Trinidad and Tobago’s relations with and I feel confident that you will be proud of our the United States and the international community. nation and of our people. With a new decade at our doorstep and the many new prospects before Of course, an account of this year’s highlights us, it is indeed a great time to step forth and would not be complete without a showcase of the embrace all that our beautiful country has to offer. Embassy’s cultural initiatives. In many unprecedented ways, our national instrument, the Nationals, always remember your unique value steelpan, was brought to the forefront of proposition – You Are A Trini. Washington DC’s international culture. The God Bless you all. showcase began in Spring with more than 12, 000 people visiting the Embassy during an 8-hour Monique McSween period on May 17, to hear the sounds of DC Pan Editor in Chief Jammers. Traffic on Massachusetts Avenue came Information Attaché to a standstill and the lines of people trying to take Embassy of Trinidad and To bago in the rhythms were 3 blocks long. But this gave Washington DC GREETINGS FROM THE AMBASSADOR Dear Nationals, Friends and other Supporters, As we embrace 2010, the start of the next decade, we commend you. In particular, we at the Embassy I take this opportunity on behalf of all of us at the express heartfelt appreciation to our young people, Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in Washington to who have brought a new vibrancy to the promotion extend to all of you our congratulations for your of our cultural, trade and educational agendas in many positive achievements over the past year and Washington and in the wider USA. Your wish you continued health, happiness and success contribution does not stop there. The Embassy is in all your endeavours. inundated with accounts of the successes of our young achievers, scholarship winners and other For us at the Embassy, 2009 was a hectic year. young nationals of Trinidad and Tobago who are This, along with staff constraints, contributed to consistently making the honour roll, winning our failure to keep you informed in a timely scholarships and awards and occupying top manner, through our quarterly newsletter, of events positions in their chosen fields throughout the occurring both at the Embassy and in Trinidad and United States. The successes of the past year point Tobago. Nevertheless, in this review of the events to a bright decade ahead for us provided that we of 2009, I trust that we have captured some of the continue in the same spirit of collaboration and outstanding events of the past year, which Trinidad cooperation that pervaded our relationship this and Tobago has undertaken both in Washington past year. and at home. It is incumbent on you, the nationals of Trinidad Three major events that stand out are the hosting and Tobago who reside in the first world, to of the Fifth Summit of the Americas in April, the position yourselves as leaders, not just followers, Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in and to take your place at the top in every chosen November and the opening of the state of the art field. As I stated in a meeting of nationals held at National Academy for the Performing Arts in our the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago in February capital city of Port of Spain. The hosting of these 2009, we must step forward, we must not hide our two major conferences as well as the up-grading of light behind the proverbial “bushel” and we must the infrastructure, has justified the Government’s get involved in our communities. By getting thrust to position Trinidad and Tobago as a major involved, we take a measure of control and handle 5 conference destination in the Caribbean. In our systems of education, social development and addition, the establishment of the National economies actively and not passively. Academy For The Performing Arts lends credence to our country’s already acknowledged reputation It is my fervent hope that I, as well as the staff of as being the Cultural and Entertainment Centre of the Embassy of Trinidad and Tobago, would have the Caribbean. Also, the range of native talent and the opportunity to partner with you in this the versatility of our national instrument, the ascendance to the top. Let us fashion the theme of steelpan, were powerfully displayed by the three this new decade around community and prosperity classical singers – Anne Fridal, Rene Solomon and so that together, we can aspire and together we Marvin Smith – and the BP Renegades Steel will achieve. Orchestra at the concert “Classics and Steel” which was held at the Kennedy Center for the Glenda Morean Phillip Performing Arts in Washington DC in August. Ambassador Many of you have contributed directly or indirectly Embassy of Trinidad and To bago to the success of our activities and events.