TTBS launch of TTS/ISO 26000: 2011, a success

TTBS, together with the National Mirror Committee hosted the launch of the TTS/ISO 26000:2011 on Thursday 20th October 2011 in the Auditorium of the School of Education, the University of the West Indies, St Augustine. Several key stakeholders were in attendance and the morning proved to be successful, offering interesting presentations and stimulating discussion on the implementation of the Standard in Trinidad and Tobago.

Opening remarks were delivered by Mr. Martin Franklin, Head of the Department of Economics, UWI, and Ms. Beverly Munroe, the Acting Head of the Standardization Division of the TTBS on behalf of the organization’s Executive Director, Mr. Deryck Omar.

An address was then given by Dr. Ellis Burris, Chief Administrator of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) which provided insight into some of the social responsibility activities and plans of the THA.  This was followed by the presentation of Mr. Wade Inglesbirth, Technical Secretary of the National Mirror Committee on Social Responsibility (NMC-SR) which offered a brief history and overview of TTS/ISO 26000:2011.  The morning’s feature address which highlighted the relevance of the standard to organizations was then delivered by Ms. Melanie Richards, Chair of the NMC-SR.

On the resumption of proceedings after a refreshment break, a short video illustrating the principles and core subjects of TTS/ISO 26000:2011 was aired.  This was followed by the address of Ms. Julia Gomes, Human Resource Manager of PCS Nitrogen Limited which summarized some of the external and internal initiatives undertaken by her company in tackling their social responsibility commitments.  Mr. Alva Allen, Education and Research Officer of the Banking Insurance and General Workers Trade Union then offered a perspective on the relevance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and international labour standards to responsible work and business.  This presentation was followed by the address of Dr. Judith Gobin, Chair of the Asa Wright Nature Centre Board which highlighted the Centre’s pioneering role in environmental CSR in Trinidad and Tobago.

Subsequent to the presentations, a short Question and Answer segment was moderated by Mrs. Charmaine Cedeno-Alleyne of the NMC-SR, who also served as Chairperson of the morning’s event.  The launch then concluded with the Closing Remarks and Vote of Thanks offered by Mrs. Claudettte Jordan John of the NMC-SR.

Ms Beverly Monroe, Standards Officer at TTBS and who delivered the Opening Remarks on behalf of Mr Deryck Omar, Executive Director, TTBS.

Participants / persons who attended the launch.

Seated at the head table, Mr Martin Franklin, Head of the Economics Department, UWI, Mr Wade Inglesbirth, Technical Secretary, National Mirror Committee (NMC) for Social Responsibility and Ms Melanie Richards, Chairperson of NMC-SR delivering the Feature Address at the launch.

Seated at the head table, Mr. Alva Allen, represented Labour, Dr Judith Gobin, represented NGO and Ms Julia Gomes making delivering a speech on SR initiatives at PCS Nitrogen.