On the morning of Friday 17th June 2011, television cameras and journalists converged at the United Nations Information Centre to listen to what the UNDP had to say about its soon to be published Caribbean Human Development Report on Citizen Security.

 

Ms. Alana Wheeler, the presenter and National Coordinator for the report, discussed some of the initial findings of the report and emphasized the need for policymakers to make that shift away from state security to citizen security. The plight of youth was also highlighted, as delinquent youth are institutionalized alongside youth who commit crimes. What engaged the attention of the reporters was whether such a report would lead to an improvement in the crime and violence in the region.

 

Dr. Marcia De Castro leads discussions with the press. Photo: Stacey Syne

 

Dr. Marcia De Castro, Resident Representative to the United Nations in Trinidad and Tobago, explained the value added to the human development in many nations as a result of past and current Human Development Reports. The discussion was recorded by both IETV and CNC3 News and, even after the cameras were turned off, discussions continued but sadly came to an end, with participants requesting copies of the presentation. This was the first such media event for this UNDP Report and the UNDP will continue to foster healthy relationships with media personnel.

 

 

To view the Trinidad & Tobago's Newsday article, please click here.