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MEETING OF SATURDAY 8TH MARCH, 2003
Constitution Reform Forum
Saturday 8th March 2003
International Relations, UWI
NAME/CONTACTS
Kristy-Anne Maynard 623-3107 / 662-9461 / kristymaynard@netscape.net
Nikola Mitchell 637-9239
Kevan Gervais 640-0891
Cynthia Pantin $50 Fees paid Bon Air North, Arouca / 646-4953
Arthur Rollocks $20 Donation made 681-8828 / Concerned Citizens and Friends
of Tobago
Dennis Pantin 662-9461
Svenn Grant 627-7835 (Office)
Akins Vidale 640-6164
Hollis Eversley 653-3545 / 627-6163
Nneka A Warner 643-4255 / opal_15@hotmail.com
Jason Hagley 621-0868 / thehagleys@tstt.net.tt
Andy Burkett $20 Donation made 638-5011
Agenda
1. Review of National Youth Forum Post Mortem and Notes
2. Report on Organisation of American States meeting
3. Publications, and CRF Annual General Meeting
4. Discussion on Proposed Move of Parliament
Meeting started at 3:15pm
1. Review of National Youth Forum Post Mortem and Notes
Meeting started with a review of the post mortem of the
Youth Forum held on 10th February 2003.
The aim of the Youth Forum had been to get youths views regarding Constitution
Reform, and use them to design a programme.
Kristy-Anne Maynard gave brief on group reports.
The geographic distribution of schools present speaks to need for 2 more
sessions – South and Tobago.
Considering that a South Youth Forum Had already been held in 2002, the
report from this can be pulled together with this one to create a plan
of action for CRF’s programme targeting youth.
The committee to design this programme will be some of CRF’s youth
members: Kristy-Anne Maynard, Akins Vidale, Svenn Miki Grant, Kevan Gervais
and Nneka Warner.
It was suggested that the PTA & TTUTA be involved in the plan, while
maintaining the integrity of youth’s words.
The plan will be used as part of a proposal for funding of CRF activities.
It was suggested that the forum could have facilitated an evaluation of
the forum, by the students, at the end of the day.
Report on OAS meeting
The Organisation of American States had a meeting, on Friday 7th March, dealing with Party Finance Reform.
The meeting was to discuss developing common methodologies for reviewing
OAS countries party finance regulations.
Their Programme of Democracy Unit, who is the coordinating unit, has a
youth component that has been trying to organize a Caribbean meeting to
address this issue.
Effort will be made to establish contacts so that CRF can attempt to get
resources from them for that.
Dennis Pantin will follow up with them on the possibility.
2. Publications, and CRF Annual General Meeting
Proper documentation of the history of the CRF (since 200) should be done, with a view to having ready for a late April Annual General Meeting of the CRF.
It was also agreed that there should be a more formal structure to CRF.
There was a query however as to how the change in structure would affect
the functioning of the CRF.
This concern was brought up with relation to gaining official entity status
for requesting funding, and the potential loss of autonomy of the group
through this. This concerned was addressed by reference to the current
funding we receive from the UNDP’s Resident Representative.
This funding does not encroach upon the CRF’s activities or agenda.
The suggested date of the CRF AGM is Saturday 26th April, from 9am, upstairs
of the International Relations Building, UWI.
It was suggested that every member could make a $20 contribution toward
the administrative costs of the CRF.
3. Discussion on Proposed Move of Parliament
Arthur Rollocks reminded the group of the ‘Focus’
programme, held on I 95.5 FM on Tuesdays from 9pm. On Tuesday 11th March,
the programme would be addressing this topic.
The consensus of those present was that CRF should issue a statement,
which would include the following points:
Disagreement with movement of PM’s office into Red House,
Highlight the heritage function of the Red House as a symbol of governance
/ parliament, as well as the seat of the constitution,
Call for full public justification of the proposed move, providing technical
reasons for it’s invalidity,
Call for justification of the expenditure, over post 10 yrs, incurred
in moving of the PM’s office twice,
Call for proof of viability of building in proposed space, considering
costs and protocols,
Discrediting the issue as a ‘Red Herring’, distracting us
from more pertinent issues.
Next Meeting Date
Saturday 5th April, 3pm @ International Relations
