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TEDxPortofSpain 2019 Speaker: David Abdulah

David Abdulah

David Abdulah’s life has been spent in pursuit of social justice and the transformation of Trinidad and Tobago. An economist by training, he became interested in social issues during the 1970s as a member of the Students’ Guild at The University of the West Indies St. Augustine. The four decades after graduation saw David at the heart of the Oilfields Workers’ Trade Union (OWTU) where he served in various capacities from Executive Treasurer to Chief Education and Research Officer and retired as its General Secretary. At 22, he unsuccessfully contested parliamentary elections for the Tunapuna seat for the political party, United Labour Front. Several decades later in 2010, he registered the Movement for Social Justice, a political party which he continues to lead.

Apart from actively advocating for social justice, David is a talk show host and presenter and former newspaper columnist. He has delivered numerous lectures and presentations at schools, universities, seminars and community meetings. Additionally, he is a former Chair of the Board of the Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies; served on Cabinet-appointed Committees under different administrations; and has even contributed as an Industrial Relations Advisor of the West Indies Cricket Players’ Association. David has consistently been recognised for his leadership qualities and is a recipient of the OWTU’s Labour Star, and Cuba’s Amistad Medal, one of the highest awards to non-nationals.