The Emancipation Support Committee

The Emancipation Support Committee of Trinidad and Tobago is an African organization, which for the last 12 years, has been commemorating the event with public lectures, trade shows, concerts and processions.

Without a doubt, the commemoration of emancipation in 2005 will provide another moment of pride for Trinidad and Tobago and contribute positively to the country’s international image. But the goals go far beyond building pride and image enhancement.

Emancipation is another moment for Africans to re-dedicate themselves to continue building on the foundations for freedom and progress laid down by those who fought successfully for our emancipation. It will be another moment for the entire population to pay respect to the African aspect of our national heritage and for all of us citizens of this nation to take stock of how far we have come from August 1, 1838, to embrace the platforms for development and collective action provided by the commemorative activities, to rethink what emancipation means for a country facing the challenges of the 21st Century, and to act resolutely to ensure that our country claims its rightful space in a daunting world. Our Haitian ancestors faced what seemed to be insurmountable odds, and won. We owe it to them to face our future with optimism.