Trinidad and Tobago Sustainable Development Network

OVERALL PURPOSE and GOAL
The purpose of this Network is to create a mechanism through which civic society would seek to influence the process for planning for sustainable development and its implementation in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as to contribute to the approach and content of particular development proposals. The goal of the Network is to achieve an approach to planning for the economic, environmental and social development of Trinidad and Tobago, that is holistic, inter-sectoral, inter-disciplinary, participatory and inclusive of a wide range of citizen interests.

In its pursuit of this purpose and goal, the Network will seek to contribute to continuity in policy analysis and implementation within the country, and will emphasise accountability, consultation and transparency in the conduct of planning and implementation of development activities.

This overall purpose and goal will be pursued by Members of the Network through the kinds of activities indicated below, in conjunction with other individuals and entities who may collaborate.

GEOGRAPHICAL SCOPE
The scope of interest of the group will be Trinidad and Tobago. However, the perspectives advocated and applied will be considered in the context of, and with the purpose of contributing to, the building of the Caribbean Community of nations of which Trinidad & Tobago is a member state.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
The Objectives of The Trinidad and Tobago Sustainable Development Network are:

1. To influence approaches to planning for development so that they are consistent with the Overall Purpose and Goal stated above;
2. To inculcate in national and local level planning frameworks the tenets of economic viability, environmental sustainability and social equity as underlying principles as well as primary outcomes of development;
3. To create mechanisms and opportunities that would lead to coalition of interests and pooling of resources with other individuals and entities in pursuit of the goal;
4. To undertake research and policy analysis, and to make policy and programme recommendations, pertaining to development issues and needs
5. To arrange public events for obtaining widespread participation and inputs into discussion about such research, analysis and recommendations
6. To disseminate research results, to advocate and represent policy and programme recommendations of the Group;
7. To engage in collaborative work that would generally strengthen the operation, performance and impact of civil society organisations engaged in this field;
8. To identify and influence priorities for planning for sustainable development;
9. To influence establishment of monitoring mechanisms.

INDICATIVE ACTIVITIES
Activities might include:

- originating ideas and proposals for development to counterpoint those of government e.g. analysis of proposed development scenarios;
- critiquing ideas, proposals and activities of others (corporate, special interest groups) consistent with above objectives e.g. proposal for development of Las Cuevas;
- making contributions to development discourse and policy analysis e.g. commentary on the annual budget or occasional development plan;
- creating opportunity for civic society reflections on and inputs into specific proposals emanating from government e.g. public consultation on the recent Planning and Development Bill;
- reaching out to un/under represented groups and interests and seeking to involve them or reflect their interests and concerns in inputs and in discourse e.g. people of Charlotteville;
- reflecting such activities and inputs in materials for building public understanding of development issues and the development process (outreach, advocacy, education, impact) e.g. occasional pamphlets or other publications;
- organising public fora for discussion, analysis, synthesis, representation, outreach e.g. consultation organised for the PoS Development Plan;
- raising funds to carry out the above.