Today, Monday 06 February, 2023, Minister of National Security, the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds M.P. attended the Caribbean Regional Freedom From Slavery Forum 2023.

The Freedom from Slavery Forum is a 3-day event taking place at the Trinidad Hilton, Port of Spain from February 06-08, 2023. This year’s theme is Enabling Local Engagements and Global Synergies for Addressing Modern Slavery in the Caribbean.

Delivering remarks at the forum, Minister Hinds highlighted the efforts of the @countertraffickingunit_tt in preventing and combating human trafficking in Trinidad and Tobago in all its forms, as well as it's close relationship with law enforcement partners in prosecuting those who engage in this grave violation of human rights.

Minister Hinds also used this opportunity to engage with the participants at the forum and encouraged the attendees to connect, commit and act to end human trafficking in the Caribbean region.

Here are some of the highlights from today's forum:

@freetheslaves ...

FIRE SERVICE CELEBRATES 72nd ANNIVERSARY:- Permanent Secretary (Ag.) of the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Gary Joseph on Wednesday January 25, 2023, joined with the Trinidad and Tobago Fire Service (TTFS) to commemorate the organization’s Parade of Colour and Seventy-Second (72nd) Anniversary. Deputy Permanent Secretary (Ag.) in the Ministry of National Security, Ms. Deokie Sintra Maharaj was also in attendance.
 
Permanent Secretary Joseph extended best wishes to all members of the Fire Service on the anniversary milestone and thanked them all for their dedicated service to Trinidad and Tobago. He assured the support of the Ministry of National Security for the continued improvement of accommodation for fire officers, including the construction of new fire stations; upgrade and refurbishment of infrastructure, vehicles and equipment; as well as the advancement and promotion within the TTFS ranks.
 
Delivering remarks, Deputy Chief Fire Officer Mr. Andy Hutchinson also noted the significance of the event stating that for seventy-two (72) years, the TTFS has been a proud and growing organization, which has persevered through difficult times. He also acknowledged the Auxiliary Fire Service's one hundred and eighteen (118) years of unfailing service to the country.
 
Also delivering remarks was Assistant Chief Fire Officer and TTFS Chaplain Mr. Earl Sampson; and offering the reflection was Parish Priest of the St. Michael and All Angel Anglican Church in Diego Martin, Canon Major Ashton Gomez.
 
The event also marked the 2nd anniversary of the consecration of colours of the TTFS.
 
The anniversary observance was held at the All Saints Anglican Church, Queen’s Park West, Port of Spain under the theme “Fanning the flames of dedication – the flames must never go out.” ...

MOU SIGNED BETWEEN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE UWI ST. AUGUSTINE CAMPUS:- On Wednesday January 19, 2023 a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of National Security and The University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus.

The MOU will strengthen the existing partnership between the Ministry of National Security and The UWI St. Augustine Campus, by providing an avenue for all the Ministry’s Divisions, Agencies and Units to strengthen their capacity and develop new capabilities.

Some of the areas for collaboration will include the development of training programmes; joint publications; exchange of information; joint sponsorship and conduct of conferences, workshops and seminars; co-ordinated research and teaching activities with other institutions; joint fellowship and internship programmes and student scholarships; and the establishment of Centres of Learning/Excellence.

In attendance at the Signing Ceremony, held at the Ministry of National Security, were Minister of National Security, the Honourable Fitzgerald Hinds M.P.; Permanent Secretaries (Ag.) of the Ministry of National Security, Mr. Gary Joseph and Ms. Nataki Atiba-Dilchan; Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal for the St. Augustine Campus of The University of the West Indies, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine; Chief Executive Officer of the ODPM, Major General (Ret’d) Rodney Smart; Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture at The UWI St. Augustine Campus,  Dr. Mark Wuddivira; and other officials from the Ministry of National Security and The UWI St. Augustine Campus.

Listen in to the Minister’s address by clicking the link https://youtu.be/dKXhEpohcL0 ...

MEDIA RELEASE:- MINISTRY OF NATIONAL SECURITY SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES, ST. AUGUSTINE CAMPUS. ...