Happy New Year to all my readers! I haven’t updated my blog for the past 3 months, so my goal for this year is to write more often to reflect on my path to peace. Let me beginning by summing up the last two months of 2009, which were indeed very eventful.
As you know, my Path to Peace, has taken me to some amazing places. After attending the Commonwealth Youth Leadership Programme, Nkabom, held in Cyprus in 2008, I was very excited to return to my home country, Trinidad and Tobago, to facilitate the conflict and peacebuilding sub-group and moderate the conflict panel of the Commonwealth Youth Forum, held parallel to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).
I flew from Geneva, via London, and finally arrived in my favorite place in the world, Tobago, where the first leg would take place. The idea around CYF, for those new to the Commonwealth, is for youth leaders to gather together and create a communiqué, which is then presented to Heads of Government during the CHOGM. Proposals and recommendations by youth, are then implemented by governments, international organizations, and civil society at their discretion. No enforcement mechanisms exist to ensure transparency and accountability, so influence and diplomacy showed by youth leaders is even more critical when presenting the communiqué to Heads of State.
As part of my personal journey, CYF caused me to face the two directions I most coveted in my life: the international and national dimensions. Never in my wildest imagination did I believe that conflict studies and peacebuilding, my research interest and passion, could be applicable to Trinbago. But that day has come.
The upsurge in crime and gang violence among the youth segment in Trinbago, was something that was new to me. I heard stories from youth who had personally encountered violence and even met with a delegate who was a reformed gang member. It was clear that the Trinbago I knew and loved had changed in the past 6 years I had spent abroad.
A fellow facilitator from Uganda, SK, made a very interesting statement at our morning plenary on the difference between negative and positive peace. When negative peace exists, he said, we needed to be even more cautious as the lack of violence/ armed conflict is not synonymous with peace. Was Trinidad and Tobago in a state of negative peace? And if the answer is yes, then what are the implications for individuals, governments and youth actors within the community?
As I still continue to ponder these questions, I recognize that the 7th CYF gave me a priceless gift: inspiration. I was struck by the youth potential and met like minded-souls who are also committed to creating positive change inTrinbago. Together, we will work from the grassroots level to empower youth and women (as action steps become clearer I will provide further details on this).
I left Trinbago overwhelmed by the possibilities that lie ahead and confident that Trinbagonian youth would make a difference. Many thanks to those who supported and encouraged me in this endeavor. I have now found the road that bridges the international world with my beautiful Trinbago that will continue to capture my heart.
Those interested in reading the communique presented at the CHOGM by youth leaders can click here to download a copy and to see the Queen's message on Commonwealth youth. Enjoy!
