UN 80 Celebrations Renew Bonds Among Partners and Staff

A high-level conference to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the United Nations was hosted in partnership with the Office of the Campus Principal at the University of the West Indies St. Augustine.

The conference, titled “From Legacy to Future: Renewing Multilateralism in a Changing World,” featured Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador Dr. Neil Parsan, and former President of the UN General Assembly, Dennis Francis, as distinguished members of a fireside chat. 

The event was hosted on Monday, October 27 at the UWI School of Education Auditorium.

A panel discussion moderated by UWI Professor of Practice, Winston Dookeran, featured contributions from CARICOM Attorney Secretary-General for Community and Foreign Relations, Elizabeth Solomon, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Sharifa Ali-Abdullah, Coral Reef Scientist at the Institute of Marine Affairs, Dr. Anjani Ganase, and CEO of the ROOTS Foundation, Mtima Solwazi.

The audience of diplomats, government partners, civil society representatives, UWI students and faculty and UN Heads of Agencies was also treated to five Youth Speakers who made clarion calls for action on climate change, gender equality, inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, peace and security and the future of the United Nations.

UN Resident Coordinator, Joanna Kazana, delivered opening remarks while UWI St. Augustine Campus Principal, Professor Rose-Marie Belle Antoine, delivered welcome remarks. 

Ambassador Plenipotentiary and Extraordinary and Director of the Bilateral Relations Unit at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs, Dr. Paul Byam, delivered the keynote address. 

The festivities continued on Wednesday, October 29 with a UN Staff Health and Wellness Expo. 

Anchored in the UN System Workplace Health and Well-being Strategy (2024), the event aimed to enhance the mental and physical health and wellness of staff from all UN System agencies. The Expo featured seminars, yoga, aerobics, flu shots and healthy local foods and beverages.

With the support of the UN’s designated External Mental Health Professionals, our partners at the Trinidad and Tobago Psychologists Association (TTAP) and our team at PAHO/WHO, the Expo was grounded in a strong information-sharing thrust, offering four seminars on managing anxiety, navigating menopause, healthy responses to change and work/life balance. 

A dunk tank was a welcome stress-reliever that encouraged friendly rivalry and competitiveness among the staff.

The Office of the Resident Coordinator, which organised the event, used the occasion to distribute a brochure summary of the UN System Workplace Mental Health and Well-being Strategy. The pamphlet also featured contact information for the UN's designated External Mental Health professionals and the official UN-registered doctors in Trinidad and Tobago.

The UN in Trinidad and Tobago thanks its partners at Amare Probiotics, Dr. Juice, the Alliance of Rural Communities, Twigs Naturals, Chefwood Acres, Cedros Bay and Families in Action for their support of this staff wellness initiative.