On July 01, 2019, the Minister of National Security the Honourable Stuart R. Young M.P. reiterated that the Government of Trinidad and Tobago is cognizant of the many issues surrounding nationals returning from conflict zones abroad, and seeks to address these issues through ongoing multi-agency efforts.
On Monday, Minister Young opened a Workshop on Working with Child Returnees. This timely workshop took place from July 01-04, 2019 in Port of Spain, and was a collaborative initiative among the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of the Attorney General and Legal Affairs and the British High Commission in Port of Spain. The workshop was facilitated by the Tower Hamlets Council.
Workshop participants from Government Agencies responsible for the resettlement of children returning from conflict zones as well as Civil Society Organizations participated in these sessions to build capacity, exchange expertise on process management, and discuss international best practices in assessing child returnees.
Minister Young expressed his appreciation to the British High Commission in Trinidad and Tobago for sharing that country’s expertise. The Minister also recognized the United Kingdom and Trinidad and Tobago’s long standing collaboration on matters of national security.
Minister Young reemphasized the work being done by “Team Nightingale” in the resettlement of children returning from conflict zones and also underscored the critical role that workshop participants serve in providing the requisite support to returning nationals including, but not limited to, their direct work with children, psychological support and family-based interventions. The Minister further noted the participants’ valuable contribution to protecting and securing the people of Trinidad and Tobago and encouraged the officers to continue to strengthen and sustain institutional partnerships in keeping with a multi-agency approach.