Category: columns2015

columns2015

International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 8, 2015

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

“The interests of the indigenous peoples must be part of the new development agenda in order for it to succeed…Together, let us recognize and celebrate the valuable and distinctive identities of indigenous peoples around the world. Let us work even harder to empower them and support their aspirations.” – UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

On Sunday, August 9 the world will observe the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples. The theme this year is: “Post 2015 Agenda: Ensuring indigenous peoples’ health and well-being.”

Tags First Peoples

columns2015

What does Emancipation mean to you?

Post author By Web administrator
Post date August 1, 2015

On Saturday August 1, TT will once again observe Emancipation Day. On this day in 1985, TT’s Government declared Emancipation Day a national holiday to commemorate the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834.

We recall that although The Abolition of Slavery Act was passed in August 1833 and came into effect on August 1, 1834, slavery was not really abolished in the British Caribbean until 1838. After 1834 a “new raft of law-and-order measures” came into effect.

Tags Emancipation, event, salvery

columns2015

Sharing in God’s gift

Post author By Web administrator
Post date July 25, 2015

“The miracle was not worked from nothing, but from a first modest sharing of what a simple lad had brought with him. Jesus does not ask us for what we do not have. Rather, he makes us see that if each person offers the little he has, the miracle can always be repeated: God is capable of multiplying our small acts of love and making us share in his gift.”(Pope Francis on John 6:1-15)

I thank God for one of the great miracles he has wrought in my life recently. My father, who was 90 years old on July 22, decided to pick some mangoes for my nephew who, like many members of our family, was on his way from London to celebrate this milestone with him.

columns2015

Leaders who care

Post author By Web administrator
Post date July 18, 2015

Our world needs leaders who are caring/compassionate. Such characteristics are usually found in individuals who see themselves as “servant-leaders.” Today’s Gospel reading (Mark 6:30-34) highlights this fact. In Mark 6:7-13 Jesus had sent the 12 disciples on mission. After preaching, anointing and healing the sick, they rejoined Him.

columns2015

World Youth Skills Day

Post author By Web administrator
Post date July 11, 2015

On Wednesday 15^th July the world will celebrate the first World Youth Skills Day. “On 18th December 2014, the United Nations General Assembly adopted by consensus, a resolution, spearheaded by Sri Lanka, declaring 15th July as the World Youth Skills Day. Sri Lanka initiated this resolution, with the assistance of the G77 & China, to highlight at a global level, the importance of youth skills development. The goal is to achieve better socio-economic conditions for today’s youth, including as a means of addressing the challenges of unemployment and under employment” (www.un.org).

Tags event, Youth