By COREY CONNELLY Sunday, November 22 2009

The Government’s commitment to civil society has never been stronger than with the establishment of the People’s Space, says Minister of Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs Marlene Mc Donald.

She made the statement yesterday while delivering the feature address at the formal launch of the People’s Space at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain.

“Government’s commitment to the People of Trinidad and Tobago has never wavered and our alliance with civil society, which is a clear demonstration of this commitment, has never been stronger,” Mc Donald said.

She said the Government was extremely proud of its investment of $4.4 million in the People’s Space as well as to cover the registration fees of all local delegates at the Commonwealth People’s Forum.

Mc Donald’s assurance came against the backdrop of complaints by the Network For Non-Governmental Organisations that the Government was attempting to muzzle the voice of civil society in the run up to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

The People’s Space, designed with a steel pan motif, forms an integral part of the CHOGM. It allows visitors and locals alike to partake of Trinidad and Tobago’s rich cultural diversity as it relates to food, art, literature and the performing arts.

Mc Donald said citizens should take pride in this country’s hosting of the CHOGM.

“When the heads of Government of over 40 Commonwealth and other countries come to Trinidad and Tobago to treat with pressing international issues such as climate change, global warming and partnering for a more equitable and sustainable future, that’s something we should take great pride in,” she said.