Presented at the UCCI/UWI/ICCI Caribbean Conference on “50/50 Surveying” University College of the Cayman

Islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands 21st -23rd March 2012

Presented by Dr. Innette Cambridge Co-ordinator – Social Policy Programme % Department of Behavioural Sciences The University of The West Indies St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago E-mail: innette.cambridge@sta.uwi.edu

Became independent from Britain in 1962

Became a republic with a President in1976

Population of 1.3 million persons

Size- 5,128 sq. kilo (1980 sq. Miles)

Multi-ethnic ◦ 40% Indian, 38% Africans, 20% Mixed, 2%

Europeans, Chinese and Arabs.

Multi-religious ◦ Majority Christian of whom about 30% are Roman

Catholic

◦ 7% Muslim

◦ 25% Hindu

G.D.P. Per capita 2011 est. $20,300 U.S

Life Expectancy 71.37 years

Unemployment Rate 2010 est. 6.4%

To explain:

What has occurred in social policy in Trinidad and Tobago since independence?

Why have these developments taken place?

Excitement with a touch of euphoria

Two main viewpoints

1. Much festivity, hope

2. Elements of prophets of doom

Early emphasis on the recognition of diversity in the society ◦ -Expressed in national anthem (Every creed and

race find an equal place

◦ -Followed up by the recognition of national holidays Divali and Eid-el Fitr

◦ -Promotion of a meritocracy especially in education

Social policy initiatives in education, housing, health, urban renewal, community development, Better Village Programmes

Short term employment for the unemployed becomes a continuing social policy programme

Determined by a philosophy of national development and modernisation

Influenced by global initiatives e.g. International Years and international institutions

Heavy state input- even state dominated

Dependent on revenue from oil and gas

Affected by internal crises e.g. attempted coups,

Colonial legacy of Moynes Commission recommendations and writings of T.S. Simey

State involvement in the provision of pensions and public assistance from the Social Welfare Department, medical social workers, prison service and probation

Friendly Societies –providing death benefits, sickness and pension payments, social interaction via parties

Churches and other religious organisations providing schools, child protection, elderly homes (residential institutions)

Coterie of Social Workers – day nurseries, school feeding, support for women with disabilities, hostels for working women

Child Welfare League – Baby care and early childhood education

◦ Industrialisation by substitution ◦ Development of factories ◦ Thus creating jobs ◦ Working class ◦ Substitution of locals for upper positions in the

civil service,

◦ Little consideration to family and child welfare, gender issues, the elderly and persons with disabilities

- The seventies was an era which encouraged

small business and credit development and

agricultural support.

- Attempt to diversity the entrepreneurial class

- Trinidad considered to be the entrepreneurial

state of the Anglophone Caribbean

-Continuation of education, health, housing and

unemployment relief

-Introduction of National Insurance for the

employed population

Economic downturn requiring IMF support and therefore subject to the conditions set by international organisation.

North American anti-drug campaigns

Promotion of women’s issues from International Women’s Year.

Evidence of a decaying social fabric with increased violent crime

State re-emphasis on social needs -Increase in residential children’s homes -Increase of and restructuring of Family Services - Developing drug demand reduction programmes -Poverty reduction programmes -Having a focus on empowerment linked to many programmes

Global patterns influenced by financing and international agenda ◦ current emphasis on drug abuse, domestic

violence, disability. Poverty alleviation and ageing, HIV/AIDS, homelessness;

◦ Children, especially child protection and juvenile justice

◦ monitoring and evaluation of all social programmes

◦ Fibroids affecting nearly 80% of 40+ Trinidadian women yet not an agenda item because not affecting women internationally

State is lead by the political party in power

Whereas the People’s National Movement has been the dominant party since independence there have been different parties in power.

Currently a coalition called The People’s Partnership is in power.

◦ National development agenda – Infrastructure up grading, housing, education, health, multi-culturism

◦ Global agenda – Children’s issues – Harmonising of different ages for marriage across the different age groups, children’s authority

◦ Social development issues key in the elections race where the winner controls state resources

◦ Government must respond to national and global development demands

50 years on from independence any government that wishes to remain in the halls of power must address social development issues that affect the quality of life of the population

Gov’t must respond to the demands of population- social development demands

Response determined by revenue from oil and gas

Substantive content affected by the national development goals and the global agenda

Element of hope thanks to the new change of government

Much disillusionment with expressed concerns of governance and society’s responsiveness to human needs for freedom, the social safety net and dignity.

A continued balance with national development and the global agenda

Dependence on financial resources whether local or international

An obligation on the part of the government in power to meet the social development demands of the population in order to be re-elected

Ministry of Social Development (2005). A Guide to Social Programmes and Services. Government of Trinidad and Tobago.

Horne, Louise (2003). The Evolution of Modern Trinidad and Tobago. Eniath’s Printing Company.