The Ninth Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) began today at UN Headquarters in New York and will continue until April 30, 2010.

The two-week session will focus on the theme of "development with culture and identity", specifically addressing Articles 3 and 32 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which guarantee indigenous peoples' full and effective participation in development processes.

Other key issues that will be addressed include "indigenous peoples in North America" and "indigenous peoples and forests". Almost 2,000 indigenous participants from all regions of the world will take part in the session, to engage with members of the Permanent Forum, Member States, UN agencies and civil society.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon addressed the opening session of the Forum in the UN General Assembly Hall today.

The Provisional Agenda was released as follows:

1. Election of officers.

2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.

3. Discussion on the special theme for the year, “Indigenous peoples: development with culture and identity: articles 3 and 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”.

4. Human rights:

(a) Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

(b) Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous people and other special rapporteurs.

5. Half-day discussion on North America.

6. Comprehensive dialogue with six United Nations agencies and funds.

7. Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues of the Economic and Social Council and emerging issues.8. Draft agenda for the tenth session of the Permanent Forum.

9. Adoption of the report of the Permanent Forum on its ninth session.

The National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago is hosting its first heritage tour for 2010. This tour will be a walking tour of "Port of Spain" scheduled for Sunday, April 25, 2010.

The tour leaves the Museum of the City of Port of Spain, (Fort San Andres) at 7:30 am and will be facilitated by knowledgeable and experienced guides provided by the Trinidad and Tobago Tour Guide Association.

Fees are as follows:

- Members: Forty Dollars ($40.00)

- Non Members Fifty Dollars ($50.00)

- Junior Participants Thirty Dollars ($30.00)
(Under 18 years)

All interested members are kindly asked to contact the National Trust of Trinidad and Tobago at the following:

Telephone : 623-5941
Fax : 623-7116
Email : nationaltrust.tt@gmail.com

The deadline for registration is Thursday 22nd April, 2010 and bookings shall be on a first come, first served basis.

The Ministry of Social Development is currently revising its National Plan of Action for Children, as it seeks to protect the rights of all children in Trinidad and Tobago. In their presentation earlier this afternoon at the St Ann’s Training Centre of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, representatives of the Social Development Ministry noted that a Revised National Plan of Action for Children was approved by Cabinet in 2006 and was officially launched in 2007.

Working under the Vision 2020 Developmental Pillar “Nurturing a Caring Society,” this National Plan of Action for Children provides a framework for the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Children, which is the most widely endorsed human rights treaty in history, with all but two countries signed to it. A National Committee is responsible for monitoring and implementation of the NPA and the CRC.

The main priorities of the NPA are:

• Promoting Healthy Lives among children
• Providing Quality Education
• Protecting Against Abuse, Exploitation and Violence
• Combating HIV and AIDS

The following is the address delivered by the Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, the Honourable Marlene Mc Donald at the post Cabinet news conference held on Thursday April 15, 2010 at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann's.

Cabinet colleagues, members of the media, ladies and gentlemen.
Good afternoon.

I am pleased to announce today that Cabinet has approved the mounting of a Season of Productions entitled NAPA FESTIVAL in the Public Auditorium at the National Academy for the Performing Arts (NAPA), Port of Spain.
The Season of Productions, NAPA FESTIVAL, will incorporate the best of some of the festivals that reflect the diversity of the cultural expressions of Trinidad and Tobago. It will be of great value to the continued “soft testing” of the facility; and it is envisaged that the Season will become an annual or biennial festival of the arts at NAPA.
NAPA FESTIVAL will also inspire and promote new works of local artistic excellence; and provide the general public with new choices for appreciation of the arts and quality local entertainment.

The Season of Productions will advance the dreams of thousands of local performing artists in many ways, and I urge the national community to strongly support them.
Phase 1 of NAPA FESTIVAL will be staged from this Saturday April 17 to July 27, 2010 and will feature highlights of the recently concluded Music Festival 2010, a series of steelpan concerts, an East Indian Dance Festival, and a theatrical production featuring works of local writers.
Details of this Phase’s Productions are as follows.

The sale of tickets for this weekend’s presentation of NAPA Fest has begun at the NAPA box office. This opening production presented by the Culture Division of the Ministry of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, will feature Music Festival Highlights Champion Choirs – performances of winning choirs from the 2010 Trinidad and Tobago Music Festival. The box office will be opened from 12 noon to 6.00 pm, today through Friday and from 11.00 am to 8.00 pm on the days of the shows (Saturday April 17 and Sunday April 18, 2010).

The performances will feature this year’s winners including the Jeunes Agape choir and Maisha Zuri. Saturday’s show begins at 7.30 pm, with Sunday’s show to start at 6.30 pm. Admission will be $75 per concert for adults, $40 for children aged 12 and under and $200 for season tickets (any three concerts).

Some other upcoming shows to be featured at NAPA Fest include:

• Music Festival Highlights – Soloists on Saturday April 24 and Sunday April 25, 2010
• Genesis in Steel – Saturday May 15 and Sunday May 16, 2010
• El Cerro Del Aripo – Friday May 21, Saturday May 22 and Sunday May 23, 2010
• Pop Meets Steel – Saturday June 26 and Sunday June 27, 2010

The NAPA Festival is intended to put the performing arts at the helm of the nation’s identity. It is a celebration of youth, the recognition of masters and the display of our musical excellence at the premier Performing Arts Facility, which is positioned as a leader in the development of artistic excellence.

For further information, patrons can call the Queen’s Hall operator at 624-1284.

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CREDITS: Story compiled by Nicola Joseph using information provided by the Ministry’s Culture Division and Queen’s Hall
Photo courtesy the Urban Development Corporation of Trinidad and Tobago

Kiddies Carnival bandleader Rosalind Gabriel formally received the Large Band of the Year Trophy for the 14th straight time at the NCBA’s Carnival 2010 Junior Parade of the Bands prize distribution ceremony at Queen’s Hall on Monday night. Gabriel took top honours again this year with her portrayal “Love Your Country,” which also won Band of the Year in the non-schools category.

Speaking during the ceremony, Gabriel insisted that as long as ideas keep flowing and she has health and strength, she will keep on going. She said she challenges herself each year to make the portrayal better than one before.

The king of the band, teenager Gyasi Philbert, who portrayed ‘The Wonder of Buccoo’ copped the titles of Non-school King; King of the Day and Historical 12 to 18. He placed second in the open category.

Several other bandleaders and individuals were also awarded in different categories. Matthew Barnes was named Junior King of Carnival, while Denesha Jennings won Junior Queen of Carnival. Male Individual of the Year went to Kerwin Roberts, with Mariah Moore taking the Female Individual of the Year title.

The Mini Band of the Year title went to Yeashan Franklyn, the Small Band of the Year title went to Althea Ramos and Anthony Alleng won the Medium Band of the Year.

The NCBA will host its Carnival 2010 Senior Parade of Bands prize distribution ceremony at Queen’s Hall from five o’clock this afternoon.

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CREDITS: Story compiled by Nicola Joseph using information gathered from the ceremony at Queen’s Hall.
Photo by T-Wing.

The Ministry of Sport and Youth Affairs (MSYA) is implementing, with success, a policy overseeing the granting of funds to community-based organisations who conduct sport-related activities across Trinidad and Tobago. The policy is intended to bring order to the process and convenience to applicants, while ensuring monitoring, evaluation and accountability as community organisations realise the national objective of total participation in sport .

The MSYA will hosted a presentation ceremony today at the 5th Floor Conference Room, MSYA Head Office, for organisations and individuals who successfully applied and were granted assistance for their activities, ranging from sport and family days to coaching clinics and competitive sporting tournaments.