THE Youth Congress of the Congress of the People (COP) welcomes President Anthony Carmona as the fifth President
of the Republic of Trinidad
and Tobago, and extend our congratulations to him on his inauguration as Head of State.
We also wish to commend His Excellency for setting a distinct, firm and remindful tone in his inaugural speech. The President’s speech reiterated
the values of hard work, fairness, community and compassion that have stood as core values in our country.
Most notably, President Carmona’s address made reference to the “cause-and-effect” link between crime and the displacement of “at-risk” young people and crime, citing that “with the appropriate
support, these young persons are fully capable of acting in a responsible manner, fully capable of being accountable”.
We strongly endorse His Excellency’s viewpoint that more attention must be made to rehabilitating displaced youth by promoting principles of community, family values and effective social policy. The Congress of the People has always held the view that such socially uplifting
measures are essential in preventing
crime in the medium and long terms.
President Carmona has set a dynamic,
hopeful tone to signify the start of his tenure. The Youth Congress trusts His Excellency would use his new office and his experience in the criminal justice
system towards addressing the crime scourge in our country by actively
intervening in the plight of young people who are most vulnerable.
The COP’s Youth Congress therefore extends its sincerest wishes to President Carmona for a successful tenure as Head of State. We also extend best wishes
to First Lady, Her Excellency Reema Harrysingh-Carmona and their children,
Christian and Anura, at this new stage in their public lives. Kieron Samaroochairman COP Youth Congress