SOCIAL SECTOR INVESTMENT PROGRAMME
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SUSTAINING GROWTH, SECURING PROSPERITY
CHAPTER 3: NATIONAL SOCIAL SITUATION
• Reduce HIV and AIDS related stigma and
discrimination by 75%;
• Reduce the direct and indirect costs
associated with preventing and treating HIV
and AIDS as a result of reduced numbers of
HIV infected individuals;
• Increase in comprehensive knowledge and
reduction in risk behaviours;
• Achievement of Goal 6 of the MDGs which
is to combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other
diseases.
F. Addressing HIV and AIDS in the Workplace
TheGoRTTcontinuestobetactical inconfronting
the challenges of HIV and AIDS in the workplace.
In November 2010, the HIV/AIDS Advocacy and
Sustainability Centre (HASC) was established
to provide technical assistance to organisations
in their HIV and AIDS workplace policies and
programmes.
In 2012, the MLSMED was successful in
signing 13 MOUs between the Ministry and
organisations from the trade union sector,
the private sector Employer Associations,
professional Associations, as well as informal
organisations. The organisations are committed
to draft workplace policies, facilitate peer
education training, and appoint HIV/AIDS focal
points within the organisations.
2. S
PORT
AND
R
ECREATION
The GoRTT views sport and recreation as
important elements necessary for the building
of “a fit and healthy nation”. In this regard, the
Ministry of Sport has focused on encouraging
greater participation in sport and recreational
activities. During fiscal 2012/2013 the Ministry
implemented the following initiatives in the area
of Sport:
i. LIFE-Sport Programme
The LIFE-sport Programme was introduced to
provide an alternative opportunity for young
men ages 16 – 25, through the involvement
in one of three sporting disciplines: football,
cricket and basketball. The programme also
involves literacy and numeracy, as well as
social life skills. The programme runs for a
duration of two years and seeks to engender the
social transformation of its participants. From
August 6, 2012 to June 2013, approximately
1,695 persons were enrolled in the programme
in 33 communities throughout Trinidad and
Tobago. The programme has generated positive
outcomes, in terms of, attitudinal changes and
psychological maturity of participants, as well
as some participants moving on to pursue
technical and tertiary level education.
ii. Taking Sport to Rural Communities
In fiscal 2012, the MOS launched Taking Sport
to Rural Areas, which is designed to provide
opportunities for participation in sport by non-
urban communities. The programme is of an
eight month duration and provides equipment
for sporting disciplines, identify and develop
potential talent, and enhance lives through sport
and recreation.
In fiscal 2013, the programme continued
with capacity building exercises and eventual
launches in Sangre Grande, Mayaro/Rio Claro,
San Juan/Laventille, Tunapuna/Piarco and
Couva/Tabaquite/Talparo. Opportunities in
sporting disciplines such as football, basketball,
track and field, cricket, netball and volleyball
were provided for participants.
iii. Sports Caravan
In an effort to promote national excellence in
sport,theMinistryhostedtwosport caravans,one
in Tobago with approximately 4,000 participants,
and another in Cedros with approximately 500
participants. Primary and secondary school
students from various communities participated
in the programme, which incorporated coaching
seminars, as well as practical work in the
disciplines of basketball, netball, football, boxing,
volleyball, cricket and track and field.
