Port of Spain: Participants from international and regional non-governmental organisations, members of academia, indigenous leaders, international development agencies, faith-based groups and other social action networks from across the Western Hemisphere met in the capital of Trinidad and Tobago for the Civil Society Forum, in advance of the Fifth Summit of the Americas from April 17-19.

Dr. Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM, opened Wednesday’s session by stating that civil society must play a pivotal role in promoting the theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas: “Securing our citizens’ future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”. He underscored his statement by saying that the Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago during his address to the participants, also called on the peoples of the Americas to address the host of issues that confront us.

The theme of the Civil Society Forum - “Social Innovation and Implementation: Citizens in Motion was highlighted by Dr. Amery Browne, Minister of Social Development, Republic of Trinidad and Tobago who noted that the objectives of the Civil Society Forum are to find joint solutions to common problems through shared experiences.

The Minister also called on participants to examine ways to build capacity to implement their recommendations and share experiences. Minister Browne emphasised these objectives as he advised participants to make the best use of the Forum in order to ensure tangible change to the common problems being experienced across the Hemisphere.

Minister Browne further stated that at the First Summit of the Americas held in Miami Florida in 1994, the members of the Organisation of American States (OAS) recognised the importance of civil society to the success of democracy. He added that even in 2009 the Government of Trinidad and Tobago, which is the first Caribbean country to host a Summit of the Americas, recognised that civil society still continues to play an active role in the Summit of the Americas.

The Minister also urged participants to utilise the Forum to help ensure that democracy was strengthened through their collective actions and collaborations.

VSOA-TT 44-2009