SafeCommuniTT is an initiative by the United Stated Embassy geared towards creating and training a group of key societal influencers to become CVE (Counter Violent Extremism) advocates. These advocates, located in various communities around Trinidad, will form a coalition equipped to reach at-risk populations. The initiative is driven by public-private partnerships which leverages resources to support the coalition in the fight against extremist recruitment.
On April 27th 2019 our Chairman, Angela Lee Loy, was in attendance as the United States Embassy hosted a CVE Workshop as part of the SafeCommuniTT initiative. The workshop, held at the Courtyard Marriott, was an opportunity for the advocates and their NGOs to present their CVE projects to private sector stakeholders and receive feedback and advice.
The projects were presented as campaigns that target vulnerable youth who may be susceptible to the negative influence of gangs, drugs and crime and offer alternative opportunities through sport, arts, technology and entrepreneurship to turn their lives in a positive direction. Additionally, part of the mandate of some of the NGOs was that of creating safe spaces within vulnerable communities.
In her words, Ms. Lee Loy was “blown away” by the passion and determination shown by the youth advocates and the amazing work they have already done and plan to execute.
