THE INSTITUTE OF
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
Project Director: Ebony Rose
Name,
Position
Address
Project Contact
Dr. Andy Knight- Director of the Institute
of International Relations
International Legal
Partnership
Osgoode Hall Law School
ILP Contact
Ebony Rose- Project Director
The University of the West Indies,
St. Augustine,
Trinidad
Phone(s) 1-868-662-2002 ext 82010
416-333-0553
Fax
E-mail
ebonyrose@osgoode.yorku.ca
1-868-663-9685
andy.knight@ualberta.ca or
andy.knight@sta.uwi.edu
PART I: THE PARTNER ORGANIZATION
The University of the West Indies is a public university with campuses across the
Caribbean. It is the largest and longest-standing post-secondary education institution in
the English-speaking Caribbean. There are four UWI campuses, including campuses in:
Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the Open Campus.
The Institute of International Relations (IIR) is located at the St. Augustine, Trinidad
and Tobago campus. The IIR is a “center for post-graduate study in international relations
and diplomacy, for professional development and diplomatic training, and for critical
policy analysis and debate.”
International Legal Partnership
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele St., Toronto, Canada M3J 1P3
www.internationallegalpartnership.org // ilpcommunications@osgoode.yorku.ca
Mission
The mission of the IIR is to give students the opportunity to research and engage in the
advanced study of international relations in developing countries, with a specific focus on
Latin America and the Caribbean.
Previous ILP Involvement
This would be ILP’s first project in Trinidad and Tobago.
PART II: THE INITIATIVE
Project Description
The project would consist of two rotations. One would be working in the Hub of the
Child Rights Observatory Network (of which the IIR is the coordinating body) and the
other rotation would be working on Caribbean ADR/Mediation initiatives.
Tasks/Activities
1. The Hub of the Child Rights Observatory Network
Tasks for the interns will involve:
 Legal research to identify conventions, protocols, treaties dealing with the
protection of children
 Researching the Convention on the Rights of the Child to identify specific child
protection measures
 Collection of baseline data on the plight of children in Caribbean countries
 Interviews with senior government officials across the region to determine the
extent to which governments are adhering to the CRC
 Interviews with frontline organizations and agencies who are working with
children in the marginalized areas of Trinidad and Tobago
 Policy analysis to determine the measures being pushed by CARICOM
(Caribbean Community Secretariat) to ensure that countries in the region are
moving forward on commitments made to improve the lot of children.
 Drafting position papers for the director of the IIR
2. ADR/Mediation Initiatives
Tasks for interns will involve:
 Compile a list of mediation initiatives being undertaken throughout the Caribbean
 Assist with the planning of a summer workshop to train individuals interested in
conflict resolution and mediation
 Possible modules to include:
o Developing skills to resolve disputes using interest-based and collaborative
approaches;
International Legal Partnership
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele St., Toronto, Canada M3J 1P3
www.internationallegalpartnership.org // ilpcommunications@osgoode.yorku.ca
o Working with conflict styles and developing effective approaches for a range
of disputes;
o Building essential communication skills for mediating conflicts;
o Becoming skilled in managing high emotion and hostility in the mediation
process;
o Understanding ethics, mediator practice, and the role of attorneys in
mediation;
o Engaging in hands-on practice in organizational, community, and court
annexed case scenarios;
o Gaining knowledge of practice trends and resources in the mediation field.
Logistics
No. Of ILP Fellows requested: 2
Length of Project: 10-12 weeks (May-July 2014)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
PART III: BUDGET
Estimated cost per ILP Fellow (based on a 2 month period)
Transportation
$700
Insurance
$300
Accommodations
$1000
Food
$600
Miscellaneous
$1000
Estimated Total
$3600
PART IV: RISK ASSESSMENT
Safety Concerns:
There are no nationwide safety advisories for Trinidad and Tobago, but due to a high
crime rate people are encouraged to be cautious. The university has implemented several
resources to ensure the safety of students while on campus, including but not limited to: an
escort service, a shuttle service as well as 24-hour patrolled walkways across the campus.
There have been sporadic demonstrations and strikes across the islands and large crowds
are to be avoided for that reasons.
Crimes such as robberies, assault and kidnappings have occurred, especially in particular
cities across both islands (this does not include the city where fellows will be working and
living). Students are encouraged to travel together if traveling at night and to be aware of
their surroundings at all times. Students are also encouraged to travel by taxis.
International Legal Partnership
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele St., Toronto, Canada M3J 1P3
www.internationallegalpartnership.org // ilpcommunications@osgoode.yorku.ca
Health Concerns:
There are no major health risks in Trinidad and Tobago, visitors are encouraged to be up
to date on their regular vaccines, as well as having typhoid and hepatitis A shots.
All other normal health precautions while travelling anywhere should be taken in
Trinidad and Tobago (i.e. drinking filtered water, eating hot foods and reducing exposure
to germs).
International Legal Partnership
Osgoode Hall Law School, York University
4700 Keele St., Toronto, Canada M3J 1P3
www.internationallegalpartnership.org // ilpcommunications@osgoode.yorku.ca