United Nations Trinidad and Tobago, Aruba, Curacao, Sint Maarten Bi-annual Newsletter - 2nd Quarter

Bi-annual Newsletter 2019

UN TT IN ACTION The United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago is actively supporting country and Government on their path towards achieving the Agenda 2030. As one of the members of this team, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), is working on a number of initiatives geared towards achieving the Global Goals as well as the country’s national 2030 agenda.

UNICEF believes that every child has the right to a good-quality education regardless of who they are, where they live, or how much money their family has. Quality education is one of 17 Global Goals that make up the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with a call to action to ensure that there are inclusive and equitable developmental and learning opportunities for all young children and adolescents.

UNICEF Eastern Caribbean Area Office works in twelve small island developing states, including Trinidad and Tobago. In collaboration with our governments we are implementing a Life Long Learning Programme. This emphasizes that all young children and adolescents, especially the most disadvantaged, should have access to equitable and inclusive learning environments (including in emergencies) that result in improved educational and developmental outcomes across the lifecycle.

Education is guaranteed by the Trinidad and Tobago Constitution and the Government must be commended for ensuring that children and adolescents benefit from universal access to Primary and Secondary Education. The Minister of Education, the Honourable Anthony Garcia, in a written statement on Vision 2030, underscored that “Our people are our greatest resource,” and indicated that the National Development Vision and Goals will be in keeping with the already-established focus of quality, access and equity in education.

To the children and adolescents in Trinidad and Tobago, UNICEF ECA reconfirms its commitment to you—to work with your government, teachers and parents to determine what you need to develop and learn. We will explore the skills of your teachers, the relevance of your curriculum, and the availability of resources to support your differing needs. We will work with your Government to ensure that your learning and care environments provide diverse experiences which allow everyone to participate at their level and interest. We will support your access to quality education.

Warmest,

Aloys Kamuragiye Representative UNICEF Office for the Eastern Caribbean Area 2|

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CONTENTS 2

UN TT IN ACTION

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BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND PROSPEROUS TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA, CURAÇAO, ST. MAARTEN

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BUILDING A HEALTHY TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA, CURAÇAO, ST. MAARTEN

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BUILDING A SAFE, JUST AND COHESIVE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA, CURAÇAO, ST. MAARTEN

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BUILDING A SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA, CURAÇAO, ST. MAARTEN

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BI-ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS

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BUILDING AN INCLUSIVE, EQ TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, ARUBA

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QUITABLE AND PROSPEROUS A, CURAÇAO, ST. MAARTEN

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PHOTO CREDIT: NEWSDAY/ SATORI HASSANALI

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‘IN BETWEEN - STORIES OF A REFUGEE’ INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND PROSPEROUS The UN and the Living Water Community recently collaborated on an interactive exhibition titled ‘In Between - Stories of a Refugee’. It was an arresting exhibition of artwork produced by children in Trinidad who arrived from other countries, like Venezuela and Cuba.

The work emerged from an art therapy workshop where the children explored their journeys, as well as their hopes and dreams.

The interactive exhibition, displayed at the Medulla Gallery in Port of Spain, allowed visitors to respond immediately to the artwork by writing and drawing on one of the murals.

Watch video here.

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UN WORKS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYMENT FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND PROSPEROUS The National Centre for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) of Trinidad and Tobago, with the UN, hosted a workshop on providing reasonable accommodation for the employment of persons with disabilities.

Read more here.

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PHOTO CREDIT: ILO CARIBBEAN

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PHOTO CREDIT: MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

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UN AND GOVERNMENT HOST WORKSHOP TO IMPROVE ON LABOUR MIGRATION INCLUSIVE, EQUITABLE AND PROSPEROUS The UN and the Ministry of Labour and Small Enterprise Development hosted a three-day Labour Migration and Human Development Workshop at the Hilton Trinidad Conference Center.

The Workshop exposed government partners and other stakeholders to a wealth of information related to the issue of labour migration, and allowed them to examine themes related to labour migration in greater detail.

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BUILDING A HEALTHY ARUBA, CURAÇA

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PHOTO CREDIT: PAHO CARIBBEAN

TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, AO, ST. MAARTEN

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FIRST CARIBBEAN CONGRESS ON ADOLESCENT & YOUTH HEALTH HEALTHY This UN-supported Congress is the first of its kind in the Caribbean, and will be a launchpad from which advocates, health and social workers, policymakers, academia, clinicians and young people themselves can heed the call towards improving youth health and wellbeing, and so enhance Trinidad and Tobago and the wider region’s future development. Read more here.

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PHOTO CREDIT: UNFPA CARIBBEAN

PHOTO CREDIT: UNFPA CARIBBEAN

PHOTO CREDIT: CCAYH UN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWSLETTER | Issue #2

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PHOTO CREDIT: PAHO CARIBBEAN

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UN AND MINISTRY OF HEALTH WORK TO REDUCE VECTOR BORNE DISEASES HEALTHY The UN recently hosted a ceremony to hand over equipment that will assist the Ministry of Health in its fight against vector-borne diseases. These items, along with previously-donated malaria rapid-diagnosis test kits and medications, will help the Ministry control vectors and reduce the occurrence and spread of vector-borne diseases. Read more here.

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PAINT DE TOWN GREEN FOR WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY HEALTHY In celebration of World Mental Health Day, the UN and the Ministry of Health staged an awareness campaign, titled ‘Paint de Town Green’, at Gulf City Mall in Trinidad.

While the outreach campaign’s overarching theme was awareness of mental health issues, it focused on suicide prevention.

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PHOTO CREDIT: MINISTRY OF HEALTH TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO

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BUILDING A SAFE, JUST AND CO ARUBA, CURAÇAO

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OHESIVE TRINIDAD & TOBAGO, O, ST. MAARTEN

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UN SUPPORTS ST. MAARTEN CHILD PROTECTION CONFERENCE SAFE, JUST AND COHESIVE

The UN, the St. Maarten Government, the Public Entity Saba, and the Dutch Government hosted a conference for youth care workers, policymakers and other professionals who work with children, to discuss the latest developments and tools regarding child protection.

Read more here.

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HUNDREDS OF STUDENTS DEBATE ASYLUM, MIGRATION AT MODEL UN SAFE, JUST & COHESIVE Over 100 students from Trinidad and Tobago, St. Kitts, Curacao, St. Lucia and Guyana participated in this year’s Model UN, which was hosted by the Rotary Club of Central Port-of-Spain, with support from the United Nations. After training for several weeks, students convened on 16 and 17 March 2019 to debate the issues of asylum and migration, in the guise of delegates from countries across the globe.

Youth are currently preparing for the 2020 edition of the Model UN. Read more here.

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PHOTO CREDIT: PAHO CARIBBEAN

PHOTO CREDIT: UNIC UN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWSLETTER | Issue #2

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PHOTO CREDIT: UNICEF EASTERN CARIBBEAN

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UN AND GOVERNMENT LAUNCH NATIONAL CHILD POLICY PUBLIC CONSULTATIONS SAFE, JUST & COHESIVE Public consultations on the National Child Policy for Trinidad and Tobago were recently launched by the UN and the Gender and Child Affairs Division of the Office of the Prime Minister to gather views on the draft policy from children, youth and adults.

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PHOTO CREDIT: GRENADA CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

BUILDING A SUSTA TRINIDAD & T CURAÇAO,

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AINABLE & RESILIENT TOBAGO, ARUBA, , ST. MAARTEN

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UN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF ST. MAARTEN EXECUTE FOUR-DAY END-2-END SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT TRAINING SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT The UN and the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), in collaboration with K1 Britannia Foundation’s Disaster Relief and Crisis Team (K1 DIRECT) and the Government of Sint Maarten, recently executed End-2-End Supply Chain Management Training.

The four-day training session brought together valuable partners in disaster and supply chain management.

Organizations presented their business-continuity plans and disaster-response capabilities, participated in supply-chain, logistics and inventory management activities, and discussed collaboration and long-term agreements for disaster response within the region.

Read more here.

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CELEBRATES FIRST WORLD FOOD SAFETY DAY SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT The first-ever World Food Safety Day (WFSD) was celebrated on 7 June 2019 to draw attention to the prevention, detection and management of foodborne risks, and to inspire action that enhances Trinidad and Tobago’s food security, human health, economic prosperity, agriculture, market access, tourism and sustainable development.

The UN, the National Food Safety Committee, the Ministry of Agriculture, and The University of the West Indies’ Faculty of Agriculture staged a display and public forum to raise awareness regarding food safety. Read more here.

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UN AND CASTARA COMMUNITY LAUNCH SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY SHOP SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT The UN worked with the Castara community in Tobago to launch the Castara Tourism Development Association’s Sustainability Shop. The businesses in the area have committed to using eco-friendly products in order to safeguard Castara’s beauty and marine environment. The eco-products are made by Castara community members, and include eco-soaps, eco-disinfectants, eco-fresheners and biodegradable containers. They are being sold and used by local businesses.

This Tobago-based community project is an example of conserving the environment through eco-friendly business practices.

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PHOTO CREDIT: GEF SMALL GRANTS PROGRAMME TT UN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO NEWSLETTER | Issue #2

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PHOTO CREDIT: MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND SMALL ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

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UN AND GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF FUTURE OF WORK ART COMPETITION SUSTAINABLE & RESILIENT The International Labour Organization (ILO) art competition was held in commemoration of the ILO Centenary—a milestone that comes as the world of work faces unprecedented transformations driven by globalization, the digital revolution and climate change. It encouraged students to consider these transformations, and asked them to share their vision of what the future of work will look like.

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BI-ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS UN LAUNCHES SDG MOBILE GALLERY ON UNITED NATIONS DAY

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT): THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. JUSTICE IVOR ARCHIE, UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR, MS. MARINA WALTER, AND SENATOR THE HONOURABLE DONNA COX, MINISTER OF COMMUNICATIONS, ADVOCATE FOR THEIR SDG AT THE UN PHOTO BOOTH SECTION OF THE GALLERY. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

United Nations Day is celebrated annually on October 24 and marks the anniversary of the entry into force in 1945 of the UN Charter. The United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago held a series of activities to commemorate the day.

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HIS EXCELLENCY SERGE LAVROFF, AMBASSADOR OF THE FRENCH REPUBLIC ALSO TOOK THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROMOTE THEIR FAVOURITE SDGS IN THE UN PHOTO BOOTH SECTION OF THE GALLERY. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

MS. ANNA TERSTEEG FROM THE EMBASSY OF THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS SHARES A PHOTO OP IN THE SDG WHEEL WITH ALVARO ALABART, ASSOCIATE REGISTRATION OFFICER AT UNHCR. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

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PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISOR, KEHINDE BOLAJI, PINS GUESTS WITH SDG PINS AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SDG MOBILE GALLERY. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

THE HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. JUSTICE IVOR ARCHIE GREETS HEADS OF UN AGENCIES AT THE LAUNCH OF THE SDG MOBILE GALLERY. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

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HIS EXCELLENCY TATSUO HIRAYAMA, AMBASSADOR OF JAPAN AND HIS SPOUSE, MRS. SACHIKO HIRYAMA PROMOTE THEIR FAVOURITE SDGS IN THE UN PHOTO BOOTH SECTION OF THE GALLERY. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, GARY GRIFFITH GREETS THE HEADS OF UN AGENCIES AT THE SDG GALLERY LAUNCH. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

HIS EXCELLENCY JUAN ANÍBAL BARRÍA GARCÍA, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF CHILE ADVOCATES FOR THE SDG OF HIS CHOICE IN THE SDG PHOTO BOOTH. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

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UN4U HELD IN ST. URSULA’S FOR UNITED NATIONS DAY

STUDENTS OF THE ST. URSULA’S GIRLS’ ANGLICAN PRIMARY SCHOOL POSE WITH THE SDG WHEEL AT THE ANNUAL UN4U OUTREACH EVENT. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

UN4U is an educational outreach campaign which underlines the role and objectives of the UN. This initiative was developed for UN staff members to share the work the UN does in Trinidad and Tobago with the country’s next generation.

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STUDENTS OF THE ST. URSULA’S GIRLS’ ANGLICAN PRIMARY SCHOOL HUDDLE TOGETHER WITH LEILA NASSIF, CHIEF OF MISSION OF UNHCR IN TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO, DURING AN ACTIVITY AT THE ANNUAL UN4U OUTREACH EVENT. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

MARIA ELEONORA BENINI, ASSOCIATE PROTECTION OFFICER AT UNHCR, GETS STUDENTS EXCITED TO LEARN ABOUT REFUGEES’ RIGHTS DURING THE ANNUAL UN4U OUTREACH EVENT. PHOTO CREDIT: ECLAC/BLAINE MARCANO

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UN ANNOUNCES NEW YOUTH SDG AMBASSADORS

JUNIOR SDG YOUTH AMBASSADORS; MARISKA VAN DE WERKEN, KATELYN HUTCHINSON AND TYISHA LOVELL POSE WITH UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR, MS. MARINA WALTER.

The United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago has recognized 8 youth to be SDG Youth Ambassadors. As SDG Youth Ambassadors, they will represent their community’s youth and support efforts to engage young people in the realization of the SDGs both through strategic opportunities with the UN and through their existing initiatives, platforms and networks. Read more here.

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SENIOR SDG YOUTH AMBASSADORS; KARISHMA MANWAH, TRACY JAGERSSAR, KELVIN NAIPAL, AND ZAKIYA CALDER WITH UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR, MS. MARINA WALTER

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO PARLIAMENT AND UNITED NATIONS CELEBRATE COMMITMENT TO ACHIEVING SDGS AT SDG PINNING CEREMONY

MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT, THE UN RESIDENT COORDINATOR, MS. MARINA WALTER, AND THE SENIOR AND JUNIOR SDG YOUTH AMBASSADORS AT THE SDG PINNING CEREMONY.

To show their commitment to achieving the SDGs, the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Trinidad and Tobago were pinned with special SDG pins by the new SDG Youth Ambassadors students from high schools and universities in the country.

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UN STAFF CELEBRATIONS FOR UN DAY

AS PART OF THEIR COUNTDOWN TO THEIR ANNIVERSARY, THE ILO CURATED PICTURES OF THEIR WORK IN THE CARIBBEAN AT THE NATIONAL LIBRARY IN PORT OF SPAIN.

THE STAFF OF UNHCR TOOK A GROUP PHOTO TO COMMEMORATE THE DAY. PHOTO CREDIT: UNIC/REUBEN

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DAYS TO N TE NOVEMBER

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