2007 Press Releases

2007 Ambassador's Song and Verse Contest

February 2, 2007

Ambassador Austin, Minister Kangaloo, Minister Manning, Savina Ramkissoon, Anselm Douglas Full Size

On Tuesday, January 30 at the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS), United States Ambassador Dr. Roy L. Austin, Minister of Education Hazel Manning, Minister of Legal Affairs Christine Kangaloo and Savina Ramkissoon of the Heroes Foundation officially launched the Ambassador’s Song and Verse Contest. The 2007 contest will focus on “Protect Intellectual Property Rights: Don’t Get Caught in the Web.”  Calypsonian Anselm Douglas was a special guest at the launch.
 
This year’s contest builds on the successes of the past five years; themes have included HIV/AIDS, drug demand reduction, discrimination against people living with HIV/AIDS, and crime.  Previous contests showcased cooperation between the U.S. Embassy, Ministry of Education, and the Heroes Foundation.

Young people of Trinidad & Tobago will show their talents while delivering a message about the importance of respecting intellectual property – the expressed creations of the human mind.  These creations include music, books, new forms of medicine, technological inventions, and any number of goods in daily use.  Creators and inventors have the same rights to own and protect their creations as do owners of physical property.  Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) law, with its system of patents, copyrights, and trademarks is in place in many countries to safeguard these creations.

Individuals and entire societies suffer when intellectual property is not protected: artists and musicians stop creating new works because piracy makes it impossible for them to earn a living, people get sick from counterfeit medicines, and companies are reluctant to invest because their technology and processes can be stolen.  The 2007 Song and Verse contest will raise awareness that intellectual property theft – or piracy – is a crime.

Students can use a wide range of national cultural expression to deliver their message: monologue, dramatic recitations, choral speaking, calypso, ragga soca, chutney, and rap.

Regional competitions are a highlight of the contest’s initial stage, with the winners of each region then competing for the national title. 

Regional competitions will be held on February 6^th for St. George East and South Eastern; on February 8 for Caroni and North Eastern; and on February 9 for St. Patrick, Victoria, Tobago, and Port of Spain and environs.

The national finals will be held on February 13 at the Jean Pierre Complex in Port of Spain.

For further information on the contest, see the website of the Intellectual Property Rights Office: http://www.ipo.gov.tt/Carnival2007.html