Address by the Honourable Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on the occasion of the 24th Anniversary of Republic Day - 24th September, 2007

My fellow citizens,

It is with great pleasure that I extend greetings and best wishes to you on the occasion of the thirty-first anniversary of our beloved Republic. The commemoration of this important milestone in our journey of nationhood must always serve as an opportunity for deep national reflection and introspection.
Our emergence into the family of independent states in 1962, significant as it was, provided limited opportunities for the utilization of our potential to govern ourselves. Our adoption of republicanism in 1976 was precipitated by the desire for enhanced democracy, the vesting of greater power in the people of our nation, and the determination of our government by the electoral process at every level.

Achieving such development requires tremendous commitment to nation building on the part of any people. Amidst reluctance on the part of many formerly colonized nations to take on the challenge of greater self-determination, the people of our nation embraced this ennobling option and took the initiative to transform our emergent nation into a republic.  Our republican system of governance is therefore rooted in the pursuit of liberty, equality, justice and progress.   

As a young nation, we have made appreciable strides regarding the exercise of our sovereign rule, and in the development of our democratic traditions, for which we have gained the respect of the world, and which stand even more pronounced on account of the plural nature of our society.  After four and one half decades of independence, the major part of which remains foundated on our republican system of governance, our nation can boast of an unbroken tradition of free and fair elections. The business of our nation is conducted against the background of constitutionally entrenched guarantees of the inalienable rights and freedoms of our citizens, the separation of powers, the independence of our judiciary and commitment to the rule of law.  Freedom of the press abounds.

Ours is not a perfect society, nor are we without challenges. But the many rights and freedoms we enjoy, which even today continue to elude citizens in so many nations of the world, ought not to be taken for granted, derived as they were out of our collective struggle to forge a progressive and enabling society.
The relative peace and stability we enjoy, attest to the strength and viability of our evolving democracy, notwithstanding the incendiary and inflammatory efforts in which, from time to time, some engage, but which continue to be overwhelmed by the sobriety and good sense of the majority of our citizens.
All the same, our burning desire for equity and justice must never be vanquished. Our vigilance, too, must be unceasing. And we must forever seek to lift our hopes and aspirations.

Concerning this last aspect, a critical understanding must undergird our efforts and guide our initiatives. These ambitions can only be adequately realized on the basis of a corresponding level of commitment to our social responsibilities.

Legally and constitutionally, our republican status is for us, and perhaps any former colonized nation, the highest affirmation of our national sovereignty, focusing as it does, on the liberty and the empowerment of our citizens, through our own actions and decisions. But we must always recognize the necessity to act consistently to transform this ultimately into the most sublime expression of our individual and collective sense of nationhood. For we are to be mindful at all times that we are responsible for own affairs and must therefore always act responsibly, and in the national interest. It is a civic responsibility binding on all of  us, irrespective of who we are, our walk of life or our individual aspirations.

At every level, therefore, we must allow ourselves to be motivated by collective rather than individual self-interests, indeed by the primacy of what is right for all, as opposed to what is beneficial to the individual or a few. We must be mobilised by the rightness of ideas rather than material considerations.  That is why we are to focus on and discuss fully any  new constitutional arrangements which may be advanced.

We must focus on nurturing those civic virtues without which nations fetter their own progress and frustrate the realization of their noblest aspirations. Respect for one and all, disciplined words and actions, tolerance, care for the less fortunate, and the desire to pursue legitimate but realistic goals must temper the natural inclinations toward excesses, extremes and unwarranted or unnecessary outrage in any society. We must also always respect our national symbols and emblems.

The duties we are routinely called upon to perform in our daily life normally provide many opportunities to exercise our willingness to live right, to demonstrate our commitment to our nation, and to inspire a similar resolve amongst those with whom we interact. These are great social responsibilities to honoured and maintained.

In the past we have achieved so much that was considered unthinkable for a small nation such as ours. The many advances we continue to make in the social and economic spheres continually evidence our capacity to achieve great things.

Today, the development of our nation to a level not unequal to that of those in the developed world beckons us. It is certainly not beyond our capability. It is, however, the embracing of our social responsibilities at the level required that would enable us to realize the full potential of this promising nation. Let us be guided accordingly, cognizant always of the commitment and diligence duly required of everyone of us towards the progress and development of this our beloved land. 
Best wishes for a day of meaningful and reflective celebration, and may Almighty God continue to bless our nation!