The document signed by all Parties in Fyzabad that created the People's Partnership

A Partnership for Sustainable Good Governance in Trinidad and Tobago

1. WHEREAS the People of Trinidad and Tobago in their Constitution -

a)       have affirmed that the Nation of Trinidad and Tobago is founded upon principles that acknowledge the supremacy of God, faith in fundamental human rights and freedoms, the position of the family in a society of free men and free institutions, the dignity of the human person and the equal and inalienable rights with which all members of the human family are endowed by their Creator;

b) respect the principles of social justice and therefore believe that the operation of the economic system should result in the material resources of the community being so distributed as to subserve the common good, that there should be adequate means of livelihood for all, that labour should not be exploited or forced by economic necessity to operate in inhumane conditions but that there should be opportunity for advancement on the basis of recognition of merit, ability and integrity;

c)       have asserted their belief in a democratic  society in which all persons may, to the extent of their capacity, play some part in the institutions of the national life and thus develop and maintain due respect for lawfully constituted authority;

d)       recognize that men and institutions remain free only when freedom is founded upon respect for moral and spiritual values and the rule of law;

2. AND WHEREAS

The Parliament of Trinidad and Tobago has been dissolved and the General Election will be held on 24th May 2010.  This General Election is a decisive and a historic turning-point and watershed in the development of our great twin-island Republic and the following political parties recognize and acknowledge that our nation needs men and women of selfless dedication, firm resolve, integrity and national commitment to take our beloved country forward.

3. AND WHEREAS

The Partners herein, in the interest of the people of Trinidad and Tobago agree and subscribe to this historic Partnership and to pool their considerable talents and resources in the national interest at this critical juncture in the history of Trinidad and Tobago.

4. AND WHEREAS

The Partners believe that the opportunity exists for the people of Trinidad and Tobago to vote for a people-oriented and participatory Government committed to social justice and implemented by an effective, results-oriented team whose national objective is to put into practice Collaborative Leadership to achieve good Governance.

5.  In this PEOPLE’S PARTNERSHIP the partners are:

(1)           UNITED NATIONAL CONGRESS, (‘UNC’);

(2)           THE CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE, (‘COP’);

(3)           TOBAGO ORGANISATION OF THE PEOPLE, (‘TOP’)

(4)           NATIONAL JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE, (‘NJAC’); AND

(5)           MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE, (‘MSJ’).

6. NOW THEREFORE the Partners agree and declare as follows:

a. LEADER OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND PRIME MINISTERIAL CANDIDATE:

The Partners agree that the Leader of the Partnership and Prime Ministerial Candidate is and shall be Mrs. KAMLA PERSAD-BISSESSAR.

b. The Partners agree to select candidates and only one candidate from the partnership shall contest the General Election in each constituency in Trinidad and in Tobago and such candidate shall be the    

standard-bearer for the Partners in that constituency.

c. The Partners commit to adopt Principles and Codes of Conduct whereby the interest of our beloved Country is and shall be put before party and individual self-interest and as a Government comprising the Partners they will implement a Public Policy Program to improve the quality of life of the People of Trinidad and Tobago based on shared principles of National Development and national unity. Together these constitute the foundation for sustainable government. The said Principles and Codes of Conduct include but are not limited to the matters set out in the Appendix hereto attached and marked as “A”.

d. The Partners have established Collaborative Teams to develop a common Public Policy Program to be shared on a Common Platform and have agreed to establish mechanisms for the achievement of Consensus.

e. The Partners agree that they will abide by the spirit and letter of the Constitution and law of Trinidad and Tobago and to propose legislative changes as are necessary to give effect to the will of the people.

FOR and on behalf of

UNITED NATIONAL CONGRESS

__________________________

Kamla Persad-Bissessar

Political Leader, UNC

FOR and on behalf of

TOBAGO ORGANISATION OF THE PEOPLE

__________________________

Ashworth Jack

Political Leader, TOP

FOR and on behalf of

MOVEMENT FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE

__________________________

Errol K. Mc Leod

Political Leader, MSJ

FOR and on behalf of

CONGRESS OF THE PEOPLE

__________________________

Winston Dookeran

Political Leader, COP

FOR and on behalf of

NATIONAL JOINT ACTION COMMITTEE

__________________________

Makandal Daaga

Political Leader, NJAC

Dated this 21st day of April, 2010

“A”

This is the Appendix marked “A” referred to in the prefixed People’s Partnership signed to on the 21st day of April, 2010

  Declaration of Principles

1.     Partner with the People in establishing the conditions in which everyone can fulfil his/her true potential so that our Country can flourish on the basis of sustainable development –everyone counts and everyone is needed

2.     Provide a safe, secure and sustainable environment where all People can live, work and play without fear and in which their quality of life is optimized – The Partners will seek to transform the Society to create the environment which will end the lawlessness and disorder which contributes to the atmosphere in which criminal activity thrives

3.     Ensure that the disadvantaged in our Society are provided with the tools to enable them to become productive and make reasonable provisions for those persons who by reason of illness, old age or disability cannot work

4.     Provide an education and training system which enhances mutual respect and esteem, in order to help bring about a peaceful and fraternal coexistence between people of different ethnic groups, cultures and religions within a framework which is relevant to the needs of the modern world, with particular emphasis on civics, moral and spiritual values and the need to become a knowledge based economy and to introduce a platform for young people to engage in entrepreneurial activity

5.     Build a diverse and democratic society that respects human rights, in which all people live in dignity and security, free of all forms of discrimination on the basis of religion, colour or gender, where labour is respected, and which fosters the culture of dialogue, to facilitate an increase of understanding and mutual trust between individuals and groups, for these are the premise of authentic peace.

6.     Not tolerate any form of corruption and should not politicize the civil service, commissions or state enterprises

7.     Promote legislation for the registration and funding of political parties subject to review of an independent body

8.     Support a system of governance which upholds the rule of law and the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in its administrative and adjudicative functions under which all major sectors of the population are represented and encourages the participation of women at all levels of governance

9.     Invite international observers to oversee every General Election whose report is promptly laid in Parliament.

Declaration of Values

1.     Selflessness 

Make decisions based solely in terms of the public interest. Members should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or their friends.

2.     Integrity

Not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the performance of their official duties.

3.     Objectivity   

Make choices based on merit in carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending individuals for rewards and benefits.

4.     Accountability 

Be accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

5.     Openness

Be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

6.     Honesty 

Declare any private interests relating to their public duties and take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

7.     Dialogue

Commit to frank and patient dialogue, refusing to consider their differences as an insurmountable barrier, but recognizing instead that to encounter the diversity of others can become an opportunity for greater reciprocal understanding.

8.     Leadership

 Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example