July 25, 2016: The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (MSDFS), through its Poverty Reduction and Eradication Research and Policy Unit (PRERPU) in collaboration with the UNDP and UNICEF, on July 21, 2016, met with key stakeholders who work with children to facilitate deliberation on the proposed approach to conduct consultations related to child Poverty, as part of the development of a National Poverty Reduction Strategy for Trinidad and Tobago.
The meeting took place at the Old fire Station on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain and included input from various organizations, Government agencies and civil society, namely:
• Moms for Literacy
• Cyril Ross
• Child Line
• UNICEF
• UWI Open Campus
• The Children's Authority
• Create Future Growth
• St. Michael's Home for Boys
Guiding the round table discussion was Janine Xavier Cross, Deputy Director of the Poverty Reduction and Eradication Research and Policy Unit in the Ministry. At the end of the dialogue, key recommendations included:
• Use of a multi-disciplinary and inter-sectoral framework
• Use of social media to explore and define poverty through the eyes of children
• Explore the use of focus groups, debates and artistic expression
• Collaborate with community youth groups and NGOs for data gathering
• Incorporate the topic of child poverty in the Social Studies Curriculum
The Ministry of Social Development and Family Services intends to host national consultations towards the development of the National Poverty Reduction Strategy (NPRS) for Trinidad and Tobago. The recent Survey of Living Conditions has revealed that the poverty level in Trinidad and Tobago has increased since 2005. It should also be noted that poverty reduction programmes are delivered through a number of Government Ministries and Agencies. The national strategy will allow for the rationalization, improved targeting and monitoring and evaluation and co-ordination of the country's poverty reduction programmes. It is proposed that the poverty reduction strategy will be aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals and incorporated into the Vision 2030 development framework for Trinidad and Tobago.
Photo Caption: A cross section of attendees which included Government agencies and civil society organizations during the child stakeholder meeting at the Old fire Station on Abercromby Street, Port of Spain.
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For more information please contact:
Communications Unit
Ministry of Social Development and Family Services
Tel: (868) 623-2608; Ext 5405/5424/5432