Central Bank talks economics with students

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago recently hosted 30 sixth form students and ten teachers at the Fifth Annual William G Demas Memorial Launch at the Grafton Beach Resort in Tobago. This lecture formed part of the 34th Annual Board of Governors Meeting of the Caribbean Development Bank, which was held this year in Tobago. The topic of this lecture was “Culture and Economic Development,” and was delivered by Professor Rex Nettleford, Vice-Chancellor of the University of the West Indies.

The students from Trinidad came from Barataria Senior Comprehensive; Naparima Girls High School; North Eastern College; Pleasantville Senior Comprehensive; Point Fortin Senior Secondary; Presentation College, Chaguanas; Princes Town Senior Comprehensive; Siparia Senior Secondary; South East Port-of-Spain Secondary; St Augustine Girls High School, St Augustine Senior Comprehensive and Trinity College. Tobago was represented by students from Bishop’s High School; Signal Hill Senior Comprehensive and UWI Sixth Form School of Continuing Studies. The schools in Trinidad were selected by the Ministry of Education while those in Tobago were selected by the Education Division of the Tobago House of Assembly.

The Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago met the cost of transportation as well as accommodation in Tobago. The role and functions of the Central Bank were explained to the students who were excited about the opportunity afforded them to participate in a stimulating lecture delivered by one of the region’s foremost thinkers. They also learnt a lot about the contribution that William G Demas made to economic policy-making in Trinidad and Tobago and in the CARICOM region. The students will be submitting in June their essays on the “Importance of Culture in the Economic Development of Trinidad and Tobago.” This initiative forms part of the Central Bank Community Outreach Programme. The Bank is planning to launch a partnership between Bank staff and sixth form students, to provide educational and mentoring support to schools and young persons in communities throughout the country.