Category: columns2019

columns2019

Levelling the education ‘playing field’

Post author By Web administrator
Post date July 14, 2019

by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI

A just society is inclusive. Years ago, the late Prof John Spence, who established T&T’s Education Discussion Group, of which I was Chair for a number of years, said: “If indeed education is better in denominational schools, then we must ensure that government schools are brought up to the best level.”

It is no use telling parents that they are the ones to blame for placing “stress” on the shoulders of their children writing the SEA exam, when they know that there is no level playing field in our education system.

Tags education

columns2019

What makes you happy?

Post author By Web administrator
Post date July 7, 2019

“If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap. If you want happiness for a day, go fishing. If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime, help someone else.”– Chinese proverb

Einstein was right: “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” Recently I assisted a young woman with an exit plan to escape from an abusive relationship. She is safe now. She called to thank me for being there for her in her darkest hour.

columns2019

Is Parliament fulfilling its role?

Post author By Web administrator
Post date June 30, 2019

A democratic parliament is one that is representative, open and transparent, accessible, accountable and effective (Inter-Parliamentary Union)

On Sunday, June 30 the world observes the International Day of Parliamentarism—celebrating parliaments and “the ways in which parliamentary systems of government improve the day-to-day lives of people the world over.

It is also an opportunity for parliaments to take stock, identify challenges, and ways to address them effectively…Strong parliaments are a cornerstone of democracy. They represent the voice of the people, pass laws, allocate funds to implement laws and policies, and hold governments to account.

columns2019

Migrants need spiritual support

Post author By Web administrator
Post date June 23, 2019

“A spirituality of migration has less to do with ‘being nice to refugees’ and more to do with an awareness that spirituality itself has a migratory character. Taking clues from the parable of the Good Samaritan, it is a spirituality that continuously is prepared to travel, so to speak, into the contact zones between cultures” (Michael Nausner).

CCSJ shares the following letter from Eduardo Patriz, a Venezuelan asylum seeker who is a journalist. He is a member of Chaguanas’ Parish Ministry for Migrants and Refugees (PMMR).

Tags AMMR, Archdiocesan Ministry for Migrants and Refugees

columns2019

‘Soufra’ – From refugee to entrepreneur

Post author By Web administrator
Post date June 16, 2019

This Sunday (June 16) I celebrate my birthday. Each day I thank God for the many blessings He has bestowed upon me. When I hear of the plight of migrants and refugees, I cannot help but be empathetic and compassionate towards them and to use my God-given gifts to move from emotion to action to promote the dignity of each human person.

Tags migrants