‘Too many youths live by the gun’

THOUSANDS were invited yesterday to take the journey of faith and prayer to build a just society with a new culture of leadership. Extending the invitation was President of the Inter-Religious Organisation, Rev Cyril Paul, who in his opening address at the inter-faith service at the Queen’s Park Savannah for the national day of prayer, repentance, and healing said every person shared the responsibility of building “a strong TT.” While there were many things in society to make people depressed, cynical and fatalistic, Rev Paul reminded that there were more things to goad society to action.

“As God’s people we must never give up. We must always have hope and faith.” The day started at 10 am with marches starting simultaneously from two venues: Fernandes compound, Laventille, and the Jean Pierre Complex with both groups converging at the Queen’s Park Savannah for an inter-faith concert and service. Prime Minister Patrick Manning arrived at the Savannah after 1 pm and stayed for just over one hour of the programme. Also in attendance were a few members of Parliament and religious leaders representing different faiths in TT. Prayers were offered for the 600 people who have lost their lives through violence, for peace, an end to divisiveness in society and a return to values. More than one speaker said the occasion marked a “new start” for the country.

Feature Speaker, Acting President, Dr Linda Baboolal delivering the feature address said: “Too many of our youths live by the gun. Too many waste their abilities.  Too many of our adults are failing to teach our youths values and standards of behaviour or give them guidelines by which to live. Too many of us are not the role models needed for the youths to follow.” Baboolal said the helpless and misguided must be rescued, “in order to bolster the attempts being made by the state.”  She said non-governmental organisations were critical in assisting but said they must collaborate to tackle the many sides of problems facing society. She said the IRO had a greater role to play in mobilising congregations and communities. She said there must be “programmes to take our young men and women out of the streets and back into useful and creative use of their god-given talents.”

Baboolal warned that whatever effort is undertaken, it will have limited success without the leadership of God. Paul Pantin of Communities Mobilising Against Crime said leadership at all levels of society (political, business, schools, family life) had to be re-evaluated. He called for a return to values and for people to hold themselves accountable for their actions. Pantin said those who held positions of power had the added resources to right wrongs. He said courage is needed to speak out against ills in society and also take action. “This is the moral obligation we have to our future generations.” Pantin called on the government and opposition to join in the renewed spirit of the nation “to serve the people.” He said the country was crying out for a new culture of leadership based on values and principles.