Our Fourth Batch of Speakers

We’re just about 6 weeks away from our TEDxPortofSpain 2015 event now. Excited as yet? We are! We’re also pleased to present the next two speakers on our roster. In addition, tickets for the main conference will be available for sale at tomorrow’s FINAL TEDx Salon event.

Alexander Girvan

Obsessed with how humans’ interaction with the environment shaped the growth and collapse of civilizations, Alexander was driven to pursue physical science. However, he soon realised that the physical sciences were losing the battle for sustainability to a much less ‘scientific’ field- Economics. Alexander saw opportunity: synergy not conflict could be sought between conservationists and economists alike. He understood that in order for sustainability goals to be realised sound scientific research must be coupled with a detailed understanding of the economic and cultural frameworks of our communities. For the past 4 years Alexander has been working as an environmental economist with regional and international institutions such as the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the University of the West Indies to advance the inclusion of environmental factors in policy making decisions. His research has focused on the contribution of flood prevention, pollination and water provision in terms of valuable dollars to T&T’s bottom line, and the consequences of leaving these values off the record. Alexander headed an evaluation of the importance of biodiversity to T&T’s socio-economic welfare and has presented his research to the UN Forum on Forests, The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity initiative and at the Eco balance forum. Alexander believes that change, particularly in the way we manage our environment, is possible through a thoughtful re-examination of how we communicate available scientific knowledge on environmental issues.

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Hulsie Bhaggan

Hulsie has a long history of activism. As a final year University student, she led a national campaign against corruption in the construction of the Caroni Racing Complex. Soon after, she joined fellow villagers in Guayamare, Caroni and, for ten years, stopped works on the Uriah Butler Highway until the residents were compensated and relocated. A founding member and first PRO of the United National Congress (UNC), Hulsie moved her activism to Parliament upon her election in 1991. When formal representations failed, she led protest demonstrations. Hulsie mobilized the population on rising food prices, and championed a petition signed by 100,000 citizens: she fasted one week on the Parliament steps. When Central Trinidad was submerged in flood waters for several days, she acted on behalf of those affected, including the elderly marooned in their homes and children in make-shift beds in their ceilings. Hulsie blocked the Uriah Butler Highway, was arrested and spent seven days in jail in solitary confinement. The flooding problem was solved. Her activism for a potable supply of water for her constituents caused her to be tailed for three months by vehicles of fully armed policemen. Hulsie’s populist politics and rising profile led to her expulsion from the UNC in 1994. She continued to advocate for people to be placed before party and rejected the tradition of MPs toeing the party line. Instead, she called for a conscience vote on key issues. Hulsie is currently Administrator/Clinical Director at the New Life Ministries Rehabilitation Centres, consultant/resource person to Living Water Community and consultant/lecturer for the Arthur Lok Jack Graduate School of Business.

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