Dear reader,
It is just nine (9) days before the official commencement of CHOGM events( the start of the youth forum, from November 22nd to 26th),excluding, the opening of the CHOGM village, which started on Saturday, 14th, and already I am somewhat nervous but very excited at the impending reality that , after all the effort and dialogue, the 21st meeting of Commonwealth heads of government, will actually come to fruition later this month in my home country: Trinidad and Tobago.
In just days, we expect about five thousand persons to arrive on my home soil from all around the world. Indeed, this is where the world will meet. My expectation is that when they converge for the CHOGM, they will actually reach consensus on all of those critical issues confronting the Commonwealth family and come up with visionary solutions to some of the pressing problems challenging the global community. These, of course, include the world economic situation, environmental responsibility and climate change which, according to indications on the ground, seems to have recently captured the attention of not only world leaders but delegates from many participating countries and ordinary citizens here at home, especially the young students, may of whom have been engaged through the efforts of my colleagues and myself in the communications department of the national secretariat.

Although, as spokesperson, I am not satisfied that we have fully addressed the communications and educational needs of our public, I am grateful that we were able to reach as many students as we have. Over the last two months, my colleagues visited seven school districts across my twin island country and using a school as a common venue for others schools in the district, we engaged hundreds of school students in discussions on human values and the tenets of Commonwealth membership; our goal: to ensure that students became critical thinkers about the issues confronting citizens of the commonwealth and youth in particular. We were able to screen several video presentations on the work of the commonwealth and arrangements related to logistics, protocol, security and communications associated with the organization of such an international summit as the Commonwealth heads of government meeting.

For your information, I should like to confirm the various events that will comprise the CHOGM observations.

First, the CHOGM village will be opened by the honourable Patrick Manning, prime minister of Trinidad and Tobago, on Saturday 14th November. The village is situated on the new international waterfront promenade or port, right here in the nation’s capital of Port of Spain.
The Youth forum, which will see participation by some six hundred young persons from around the world, will be held on both islands and commence on November 21st , through to November 26th.
The commonwealth people’s foprum and the commonwealth business forum are both scheduled for November 23rd to 26th. A foreign minister;s conference will then be held from November 25th to 26th.
On November 27th, the actual heads of government will meet until 29th during which the spouses programme will also occur.
It must not be forgotten, that an important element of the CHOGM is that a state visit , by Her Majesty, the Queen, will be paid and she is expected to address heads of government at the opening of the CHOGM at the newly commissioned N.A.P.A., the National Academy for the Performing ARTS.

All of these activities will, no doubt, put my country again, on the map and hopefully enhance tourism and investment opportunites.

I sincerely hope, however, that heads will seriously reach consensus on all of the critical issues impacting the Commonwealth membership. I am certain that we, the people of the Commonwealth, have an opportunity to positively influence events to the extent that humanity can change things for the better. For this to occur, we must have vision and be strong in our collective resolve to do something for planet Earth, which is crying out for healing and responsible stewardship by humankind.

One of things we should also consider is the interesting establishment of the peoples space. This special area located in the Queens Park Savannah has been specially designed to facilitate the cultural, artistic and political expression of Commonwealth people. This I consider the most appropriate populist aspect of CHOGM2009 activities. Everyone especially NGO’s, CBO’s and interest groups are invited to participate in this important event.
I encourage all interested participants to contribute meaningfully to the debate on financial management, climate change and good governance so that our goals for the future holistically serve the needs of humanity and that our legacy for youth is one for which we will be commended, by them.

I’m very much looking forward to hearing your comments.

Let us utilize this rare and valuable opportunity to make a difference to the quality of our lives and to the health of our fragile planet.
Blessings and best regards to all,
Dennis Mc Comie
Spokesperson
National secretariat
21st Meeting of the Commonwealth heads of government, 2009
November 11, 2009