by Leela Ramdeen, Chair, CCSJ and Director, CREDI
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.
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.
