Youths learn the art of politics

According to a release, the programme was introduced to create a cache of professional public speakers who would be empowered to articulate the “good governance” message of the party.

Twenty-five persons graduated yesterday at Xtra Foods Conference Centre in Chaguanas, where Dookeran himself addressed them.

He thanked persons like Kenneth Lalla, former Public Service Commission chairman, who lectured the students on ethics in politics, and former Speaker of the House, Nizam Mohammed and Capt Gary Griffith.

Dookeran said when he was a lecturer at the University of the West Indies in the 1970s, he tried to introduce a conference on politics. He said the campus authorities deliberated on the matter for one year, went through various committees and then decided they would not allow any discussions on politics in the university classrooms.

“If you don’t train people how to become politicians, how can you have a high level of performance?” he asked. “Our country doesn’t seem to value that. When you look at our institutions of politics, whether at the parliamentary or local government level, you are not surprised.”

He said a recent study showed that TT citizens do not believe politicians have much influence.

He said young people are being trained so they would not just say what come into their heads when they become politicians.

Nabeel Youseph, who gave the valedictory speech at the graduation ceremony, told Dookeran, “We are forever grateful to you for envisioning such a course aimed towards the youths of TT, and for taking the time to share your knowledge with us.”

Youseph said “this new trend in TT started by Dookeran” resembles Bill Clinton’s campaign which kept him in office for two terms.

“This deals with the inclusion of the youth and the struggle to get them interested not only in their own future but the future of the country. Although it cannot be proven, it is common belief that Clinton won his election because of the huge turnout of voters between the ages of 18 to 25. Dookeran has drawn the interest of the youth.”