The launch of the 2017 Caribbean Security Forum took place on Wednesday, August 30 at the Hyatt Regency in Port of Spain. Bringing people together in T&T is key at this time.
I am pleased to collaborate on this conference as Director of the Global Business Leadership Forum and the President of the Trinidad and Tobago Coalition of Services (TTCSI).
Guests included: Criminologist and Criminal Psychologist Renee Cummings; Former California Congressman and Attorney General, the Hon. Dan Lungren; Barrister and Criminologist Wendell C. Wallace; President of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Ronald Hinds.
Violence reduction, white-collar crime, the necessary revision of legislation and enforcement of laws to effect tangible change were among the key topics discussed by members of the panel. The diversity of backgrounds reflected in both the attendees as well as the speakers attested to the need for a multi-domain approach in reducing criminal activity.
A big part of getting anything done is collaboration and this was the key message at this launch. Building relationships makes it much easier to achieve consensus and success.
It is important to involve civil society in the collective efforts against the forms of crime and violence perpetrated at increasing levels in our society. In a post-meeting discussion, I spoke with numerous groups to gain an understanding of the impact of crime and violence on persons’ everyday lives. I believe that the victims’ experiences can be used as powerful catalysts for action.
When you hear these real-life stories of abuse and how persons have managed to rise above it, you realise how untouched you have been. These stories will mobilise members of the civil society to realise the severity of these crimes and to offer support to drive the action that must be taken.
Everyone is entitled to live in a safe society. We can either use our problems to drive us further apart or we can come together to rectify the issues as a society going forward.
The Caribbean Security Forum 2017, “Developing Strategies to Curb Global and National Threats” will be held from September 21st – 22nd at Hyatt, Port of Spain. To attend visit www.globalsecurityforum.net
