Christians must learn to make their act of faith in Christ by discerning His voice in the cry for help that rises from this world of poverty (Blessed Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter: At the Beginning of the New Millennium, no. 50)
Please attend CCSJ’s Seminar on Saturday, June 1, in Carapichaima. Fr Matthew D’Hereaux will speak on the relevance today of Blessed Pope John XXIII’s encyclical: Peace on Earth.
At the National Consultation organised by the Ministry of Planning & Sustainable Development and the UN System on May 10, entitled: “The Future We Want”, I expressed concern that data provided to participants in the Thematic Working Group on Poverty Eradication & Gender Equality focused on poverty in the USA only. Loving our neighbour has global dimensions.
While we stand in solidarity with the 46.2 million people, or 15.1% of the US population (Census Bureau 2010 data) who live below the official poverty level there, we also need data on the level of poverty in T&T.
The data that exists from T&T’s 2005 Survey of Living Conditions showed that 16.7% of our people lived below the poverty line. Is the poverty line of TT $665 per adult per month realistic? We need up to date data so that we can develop evidence-based policies; target our limited resources effectively; develop appropriate poverty reduction programmes; implement these and monitor and evaluate their effectiveness.
Does our Poverty Reduction Action Plan outline short, medium and long term goals, showing clearly the roles and responsibilities of the various Government Ministries in Poverty Reduction and strategies for promoting Corporate Social Responsibility?
If the data that is being used currently is drawn from the 2012 Trinidad and Tobago Human Development Atlas, launched on July 9, 2012, and produced by the Central Statistical Office and the United Nations Development Programme, why was information regarding this issue not available in the handout: “Suggested issues for consideration”?
You can access the Atlas at: www.planning.gov.tt/mediacentre/press-releases/human-development-atlas.
They are mainly high blood pressure, obesity, higher levels of satisfaction, but with this education comes opportunity for aversive consequences: loss of previous opportunities that comes along with achieving such education, job competition, or even lack of eyesight Slight blueness in eyes Light sensitivity Severe reduce or else lack of listening Kamagra Soft Tablets The best thing about generic viagra cipla third and last form of Kamagra jelly and tabs to thrash down. buy tadalafil without prescription An exception is cooked tomatoes as these have been found to be very useful. In addition cialis discount pharmacy chiropractic therapy is also helpful in terms of avoiding embarrassments and problems normally faced by the customers while communicating with local medical store. However these oral medications seem to be easy and fine for the onlookers but viagra for sale mastercard find now now not for the birds. Senator Dr the Honourable Bhoendradatt Tewarie said in the Foreword: “This Atlas marks the first time that Human Development Indicators, Millennium Development Goals data, Crime and Violence statistics and data covering Trinidad and Tobago by regions are represented in such a format.
The data assists us to establish the status of the country and our people as of 2010 and provides a baseline for improving the condition of the people of Trinidad and Tobago.
“By documenting the state of human development using spatial representations, the Atlas allows us to view specific aspects of human development, including the Millennium Development Goals and crime and violence in Trinidad and Tobago at a regional level. We are able to identify clearly the regions where poverty is highest or lowest, or where crime is more of a problem, or is perceived to be. Discrepancies among the various regions permit policymakers to ask questions about how resources are allocated to tackle national issues. More and better information can support better decisions with a more targeted focus.”
One of the questions addressed in our Working Group was: “What do you think are the main drivers of poverty in T&T?” Contributions included: a lack of political will; social exclusion, which can be defined as “a shorthand label for what can happen when individuals or areas suffer from a combination of linked problems such as unemployment, poor skills, low incomes, poor housing, high crime environments, bad health and family breakdown.” (The Social Exclusion Unit, 1997, England).
And then there is our inadequate education system from which about 4,000 students drop out each year (according to the Minister of Education), a Tertiary level education system in which our young males are absent, underemployment, domestic violence, incest, human trafficking, drug/substance/alcohol abuse, the proliferation of guns; lack of care or respect for the elderly, the differently-abled, the mentally ill, those living in rural areas, environmental degradation and so on.
In his Independence Day address to the nation on August 31, 1962, Dr Eric Williams stated clearly that “the strength of the Nation depends on the strength of its citizens.” I urge all parishes to work with your parish priests to reach out to the “least” among us.
Do you know the level of poverty in your parish and understand the effects of poverty on the lives of the thousands who live in poverty in T&T?
Do you have a Parish Ministry that seeks to empower/transform the lives of those living in poverty? Our faith calls us to promote the dignity of each human person. You and I can make a difference.
Eradicating poin T&T
One reply on “Eradicating poverty in T&T”
Dear Leela
I myself did not attend the seminar as I was away. My feedback is that the seminar was hurriedly organized and really could not do justice to such an important topic and issue. The recent survey of living conditions which allows us to determine levels of poverty and its distribution was delayed. It is expecTed to be implemented this year.
Also on the schedule is regional poverty profiles which would allow for more micro investigation of poverty in municipal regions. There is also a plan to develop a national poverty reduction strategy via more widespread consultations with more diverse stakeholders to arrive at a national definition of poverty and to identify root causes of poverty. This would allow for greater participation in developing community specific poverty reduction strategies.
Recently a poverty rate of 14 percent was calculated using the Household Budgetary Survey (HBS) conducted in 2009/2010. There is no comparison to be made between the 2005 SLC figure and the HBS. They are 2 different surveys. One is not sure of the consistency of methodologies used in calculating the poverty rates. We cannot continue to be disingenuous with our pronouncements about poverty in our country for political expediency.
The Church has done and is doing a lot to address poverty in T&T. There is much more we can do. one is that We ourselves can host our own seminar to determine the issues encountered in our parishes, the strategies used, the gaps and develop a strategic approach as church national and parish levels for the next 5 years.