In their continuing efforts to promote the steelpan globally, while ensuring that Trinidad and Tobago remains identified as the birthplace and Mecca of the instrument, Pan Trinbago is working to raise at least TT$12M to host its International Conference and World Panorama in August this year.
At a corporate breakfast meeting held at the headquarters of the Trinidad and Tobago Chamber of Industry and Commerce on Wednesday, Minister of Community Development, Winston “Gypsy” Peters was quite frank in his remarks to members of the production team of the International Conference and Panorama (ICP) and Pan Trinbago about accountability and honesty.
He said: “The heart of our Government is in culture but in a project as big as this we have to look at the logistics with a practical eye. We must be true to ourselves and given the time frame this looks like it's a rushed project.”
“Although it came across my desk when I was the Minister of Culture, we have to be very careful in what we are doing here. If it fails we will be looked at in a negative light through the eyes of the world. Whatever you do here you have to make us proud, pan is our identity and I am of the view that pan has exported itself. The first time I performed with a steelband was in Tokyo and I am yet to do so in Trinidad and Tobago,” Peters said.
Peters said: “When you expend so much money there must be something tangible in return. The time is going to come when the dependency on the Government purse will be no more, there might be willingness but it just might not be possible. You have to do all that you can to be self-sufficient.”
Peters also told the audience that we should not forget where pan came from.
“While it is good to launch in the Chamber and at the Hyatt do something to launch it in Laventille and Morvant so the people will feel they are a part of it. We must understand what we are doing with pan in Trinidad and Tobago; we have to take it to the communities.
“After all this is said and done we dismantle everything and put it away, it needs to be permanent. There must be a village for all to see all the time.”
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago has invested TT$15,000,000 in the ICP and in direct contrast to the Community Development Minister, Minister of The Arts and Multiculturalism Lincoln Douglas praised Pan Trinbago for its efforts and said: “Any Government worth its salt should invest in culture. The arts and culture sector is a part of Government's diversification of the economy. Trinidad and Tobago must have a greater understanding of pan and Pan Trinbago has been doing things to take pan on a higher level. They are taking it to the residents in the communities with Pan in the Countryside.”
Douglas added: “We have not fully committed ourselves to pan but we are working on it. There are projects like the regularising of panyards, the pan theatre project, the panyard development project, music schools in panyards and Pan Trinbago headquarters.
http://www.trinidadexpress.com/20150611/features/money-is-the-key-to-the-music
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Glenroy, Lilian that change is coming...my confidence in the youth and they taking the lead in the pan movement continues to grow.
I have to acknowledge Bugs also, who at times directed us to look seriously at the Junior Panorama competitions.
Found this post at T&T Newsday today....
Teaching ‘screenagers’
T&TUTA Tuesday, June 16 2015
THE INFORMATION super-highway that began in the early 1990s has revolutionised the way we relate to each other globally. This new technology, that has become known as the Internet, ushered in a new paradigm in the way we communicate that has given rise to the “virtual” concept in business, social and cultural interactions.
The use of e-business and e-commerce has made traditional trading seemingly obsolete by referring to face-to face trading as being brick and mortar operations. By the same token, the use of email has caused traditional postal services to be now seen as “snail mail”.
It is now possible to sit at home and purchase items or speak to total strangers in a distant country whose time zone may be 15 hours ahead. In short, the virtual world has made it possible to experience reality beyond the physical limit.
One area that has experienced phenomenal changes as a result of the use of Internet technology is the area of education. As with business the “e” concept has also become attached to learning by facilitating the teaching and learning experience using new channels and technologies.
The education lexicon has grown in this context to include terms such as “virtual classroom”, “web-based learning”, “online learning”, “distance learning”, and “blended learning”, among others. These concepts have facilitated a learning and education system that is no longer bounded by time and space, but is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The new dispensation in education is that “knowing what” and “knowing how” is being replaced with “knowing where”. In other words, with Google at our fingertips, learning is leaning to become a just-in-time system, in that when we need to know “what” and “how” we must know just where to go to find it. Our challenge as teachers is teaching children “how to learn” rather than “what to learn”. This requires a huge paradigm shift in our thinking, beginning with our understanding of the nature and purpose of education. Our task is to prepare children for a future that is uncertain to all of us and which is driven by rapidly changing technologies. The upside to this is that education should now emphasise the development of higher-order skills of learning taxonomies, such as application, analysis, critical thinking, evaluation and synthesis of knowledge rather than just its regurgitation. It is this higher-order skill set that is needed for us as developing countries to position ourselves as worthy competitors in this open, globalised world.
However, students would not just suddenly blossom to being critical thinkers. We need to apply the use of technology and modern methods to teaching and learning at the ECCE, primary and secondary levels. This would enable our students to be in a better position to take advantage of schooling opportunities. It should be noted, however, that the use of e-learning is not without its challenges. One of the biggest challenges is that a large number of teachers have been slow to adopt e-learning as a major aspect of their pedagogy. Most of them would have been trained as teachers before this e-learning revolution and these people must now be retrained to incorporate the use of the technology into their teaching repertoire — while we have 21st century technology, we still have 19th century pedagogy.
http://www.newsday.co.tt/commentary/0,212738.html
Bottom line is , without action and demands made by the bands ,and by rank and file membership of PanTrinbago , we're all just voices , "crying in the wilderness".
In other words , there may be a need for a revolution within the organization , and it has to come from the bottom up.
And this is why I refrain from getting too involved in these discussions, as progressive and well intentioned as they may be.
Because we've been commenting and discussing these issues for years , and it seems to be an exercise in futility , since we seem to end up just talking to each other.
I am assuming that many of the younger pan players who are affected by these discussions are computer literate and can easily access this forum if they chose.
Unfortunately,until they decide to get involved , nothing much can be done, since meaningful change has to be driven by the youth , not by we expatriates and old timers.
Glenroy!!! I don't know how old you are and if your HANDS ARE SHAKING. But you hit the nail right on the head.
Driven by the youth- but guided by the oldtimers. There is an 'institutional memory' a history which has to be known and understood. Only then can you move forward and avoid repeating mistakes. This forum is crucial for the understanding of the history of pan. The official narrative, like all of its kind, is narrow, exclusive and self-serving.
Just one example: Pat Chu Foon's sculpture' Homage to the Panman' which was installed in front of the Holiday Inn, was eventually moved to its present location and renamed "Tribute to Spree Simon". My friend Pat Chu Foon was very upset about the re-naming, because his intention was to honour the pan movement, and all who contributed to it and continue to keep it strong. Good leaders, intelligent management and star arrangers are important, but without the body of dedicated players, what would they be leading, managing and arranging for? I am in awe of the discipline, musicianship, dedication, compassion and camaraderie in even the smallest steelband.
The contributions to this forum, as written posts, photos and recordings provide an unprecedented historical record of the pan movement, it's musical, political and social significance, which goes far beyond the boundaries of Trinidad and Tobago.
Glenroy, do not underestimate the power of these discussions. I am on the ground, and we all know what MY personal experience has been because of these discussions. The discussions has to start somewhere and there is no better place for the eyes of the world to shed its light on this darkness. Let the light shine man. How long again do you think this will last?
Bertel: I admire your commitment to the cause and I stay in these discussions just because of a few of you ON THE GROUND. By in my heart of hearts, I see DIAZ selling red herrings to the biggest brains in the society at the highest price. So I cannot quite share your enthusiasm for C-H-A-N-G-E.
Claude, the ONLY thing that is permanent is CHANGE! You just keep on doing and saying what you say on this forum! Believe it or not, you motivate me! The TRUTH is, we all have our work cut out in relation to Pan and the culture, it MUST CHANGE as all things must!!
Bertel: I am glad you are still motivated. I just about lost all my motivation. When I read how DIAZ sell out the Pan Trinbago PANORAMA archives for commercialization to Ken Ali and CNMG for pennies on the dollar ah loss all meh motivation.
When yuh ignorant, yuh would sell yuh soul! What yuh expect!?
Pantrinbago Executive have been so dependent on the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for its Existence. They Failed to Realize that with a Venture as Grand as this World Panorama and Conference in August, they have to get the All Clear from the Government before they can even plan this Event. Pantrinbago don't give any account to the Government on their Financial Affairs. Their Books are Closed. The Only time that Pantrinbago Communicate with the Government is for Panorama or when they need assistance for a New Venture. Panorama would be nothing without Government Input. Pan Players are still waiting on the Monies for Playing in this Year Panorama, and they planning, to Host an International Panorama. Big Joke.This would never Come off without the Government Financial Intervention. The Government surely wont be Investing in this. This is Pantrinbago Baby. Let them take care of it. It also is no benefit to the Pan People in T&T. Keith Diaz and Pantrinbago are Just as Bad as Jack Warner. ''This is not Going to Happen. Trust Me.
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