THE InterMinisterial Social Research Council (IMRC) designated to assist with research in the social sector now has 23 new appointed persons.
The individuals were appointed from across various ministries, state agencies, the Tobago House of Assembly and the University of the West Indies.
Their Letters of Appointment were presented by Minister of Social Development and Family Services Donna Cox at the Ministry’s Head Office, St. Vincent Street, Port of Spain on Tuesday.
Also in attendance was Deputy Permanent Secretary at the Ministry Wendy Guy-Hernandez.
The ministry in a press release stated that the remit of the IMRC was to enhance social sector research capacity and drive the conduct of relevant research for policy-making.
During a brief address, Cox thanked the members for their willingness to serve, saying that research has become even more vital and critical particularly at this time, given the dynamic and challenging situations confronting the poor and vulnerable.
Cox said that the Council should continue coordinating research activities across the social sector and provide technical inputs and advice on key social projects including the National Poverty Reduction Strategy, National Register of Vulnerable Persons, Covid-19 Study and the National Disability Assessment.
The ministry stated, “The Committee is expected to serve for three years and is expected to work towards developing and overseeing the implementation of the Social Sector Research Agenda, conducting an environmental scan of the Social Sector to determine critical research gaps, developing and maintaining a database of social research, establishing a Social Sector Research Information System for sharing of information, strengthening the internal capacity of research units within the Social Sector, facilitating the nexus between research and policy and developing strategic partnerships between the public and private sectors and civil society for research purposes.”
The Committee comprises the following persons:
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Seon Raymond – Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (Chairperson);
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Dr Althea La Foucade – The University of the West Indies (Deputy Chairperson); Melissa Williams-Campbell – Ministry of Social Development and Family Services (Secretary);
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Shanmatee Singh Ng Sang and Omalisa Baldeo – Ministry of Labour;
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Crista Elcock and Victoria Rampersad – Ministry of Youth Development and National Service;
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Julia Ramirez-Modeste and Jermaine Williams – Ministry of Education;
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Ann Belmontes – Ministry of Sport and Community Development;
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Lawrence Jaisingh and Cindi Siewdass – Ministry of Health;
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Andre Blanchard and Erica Fortune – Ministry of Planning and Development;
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Satie Jamraj-Marimuthu and Kate Chotack – Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts;
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Jose-Ann Hackett – Tobago House of Assembly;
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Christine Laptiste – The University of the West Indies (UWI);
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Misha Ali and Alicia Abraham – Ministry of Housing and Urban Development;
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Makandal Caesar and Candice Mc Kenzie – Office of the Prime Minister – Gender and Child Affairs Division; and
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A representative of the Children’s Authority of Trinidad and Tobago.
