Biography

Dr. Innette Cambridge has a Ph.D. in Social Work from the School of Policy Studies, Bristol University, England. In 2004 she received a UWI/Guardian Life award for excellence in teaching. She has developed the undergraduate social policy Programme at the University of the West Indies, Trinidad and Tobago. Her publications include articles and books on disability studies, poverty and child welfare.

Article Title

Social Development / Social Policy in Post-independence Trinidad

Abstract

The above mentioned quote is from Vision 2020, a plan for the development of developed country status by the year 2020. This is one of the developmental plans of the Trinidadian government since independence. National development and alignment with globalization forces has characterized the social policy agenda since 1962, the year of independence of Trinidad and Tobago.

This paper examines the role of social policy in national development. It identifies the underlying philosophical influences for social development and social policy initiatives of the independent country. Linking specific initiatives to governmental objectives, the paper demonstrates that state initiatives are more linked to underlying philosophic purposes especially the themes of national development and globalization.

Where have these patterns placed us in the twenty-first century? How will the tension between national development and globalization be resolved? What are the factors that can determine the output programmes to improve the quality of life of citizens and produce a society where all citizens are loved and cared for and treated with dignity and respect?