The Honourable Patrick Manning
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago

Port of Spain: Trinidad and Tobago’s Prime Minister, the Honourable Patrick Manning has praised civil society for what he described as its “indispensable role”. As he officially opened the Civil Society Forum of the Fifth Summit of the Americas on April 14th 2009 on the Carnival Victory, which is docked in the Port of Port of Spain, Mr. Manning said the group has a critical role to play in the development of people and the governance of society.

According to the Prime Minister the evidence shows that without civil society’s presence in the hemisphere many in need of care and compassion may not have been comforted while others who faced misfortune may have been denied support.

In his view, civil society has the potential to make nations great but he said it must also be satisfactorily facilitated.

“In the final analysis what we in this Summit are in search of is a better world, a better hemisphere where all in our nations can prosper. A hemisphere, in which every citizen, the most vulnerable among us included is considered, supported and accounted for and can hope for the continued enjoyment of a most meaningful existence,” said Prime Minister Manning.

He said in the end it is a people’s Summit that will benefit the people.

The Prime Minister said, “As nations if we are to realize the full benefits of good governance we must act in the principle that Government must govern not in their own interest but first and foremost in the interest of the people”.

Meantime, the Chair of the Civil Society Advisory Committee Beverly Beckles is urging civil society groups to establish common standards of excellence that engender mutual respect, non-violence and peaceful collaboration.

President of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), Dr. Compton Bourne who also spoke at the opening ceremony, said it is important to view civil society as a partner in the development process.

The working sessions of the Civil Society Forum begins on April 15 and ends on April 16. It consists of a People’s Space which opens on April 16 from 6:00pm. The Space is located from the Maraval Roundabout to the St Ann’s Roundabout bordering the northern perimeter of the Queen’s Park Savannah. This Space is designed to encourage discussions.

VSOA-TT 35-2009