PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — Former ambassador to the United States and Mexico, Dr. Neil Parsan, has been appointed Trinidad and Tobago’s new ambassador and permanent representative to the United Nations (UN) in New York.
The appointment was formalized on August 6 during a ceremony at the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs in Port of Spain. Dr. Parsan officially assumed his duties at the Permanent Mission to the UN on August 11.
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Advancing T&T’s Global Agenda
The Permanent Mission will serve as the frontline for Trinidad and Tobago’s engagement at the UN, focusing on issues including international peace and security, sustainable development, human rights, and other areas of strategic importance to the country.
Dr. Parsan’s extensive diplomatic résumé includes serving as Executive Secretary for Integral Development and Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States (OAS). His experience spans global policy development, international negotiations, and fostering public–private partnerships.
A Career of Service and Recognition
Over the years, Dr. Parsan has been recognized for his contributions to diplomacy, education, and humanitarian work. His career path is as unique as it is accomplished — he is also a trained veterinarian, having transitioned from animal health into international affairs with distinction.
In its statement, the Ministry of Foreign and CARICOM Affairs said:
“The government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is confident that Ambassador Parsan’s proven leadership and dedication to national service will serve to further strengthen the country’s representation at the United Nations and advance its interests on the global stage.”
Strategic Timing
His appointment comes at a time when small island developing states (SIDS) like Trinidad and Tobago are pressing for stronger international action on climate change, sustainable development financing, and equitable global governance. As permanent representative, Dr. Parsan will be tasked with ensuring that the nation’s voice remains active in debates on security, economic reform, and humanitarian issues.
Dr. Parsan is expected to present his credentials to UN Secretary-General António Guterres in the coming weeks.
Ten Jamaican Inmates Earn University Degrees Behind Bars
KINGSTON, Jamaica — Ten Jamaicans serving sentences for serious crimes, including murder, have achieved an extraordinary milestone — earning university degrees while incarcerated. The group, comprised of both men and women, say the accomplishment has restored their dignity, rebuilt their sense of purpose, and given them renewed hope for life beyond prison walls.
At a graduation ceremony, one summa cum laude graduate — speaking on behalf of the group — described the occasion as “a celebration of hope” and “a resurrection of purpose.” He credited vision, courage, and unwavering support for making change possible, while offering special thanks to the rights advocacy group Stand Up for Jamaicafor championing their cause.
Degrees Earned, Barriers Broken
Five of the graduates earned associate degrees in business administration, while the other five completed bachelor’s degrees in the same field. The academic program began in 2018 through a partnership between Stand Up for Jamaica, the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean (UCC), and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS).
Initially launched as a pilot at St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre with just four inmates and one correctional officer, the program later expanded to Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre and South Camp Correctional Centre — the country’s only female prison.
Extraordinary Results Amid Extraordinary Challenges
Carla Gullotta, executive director of Stand Up for Jamaica, called the graduates’ achievements “extraordinary,” noting that several ranked among the top 25 students out of 690 enrolled at UCC. She praised the university for embracing a project that many institutions might have rejected, and recalled the significant hurdles faced — from securing computers and reliable internet access to organising weekend classes inside prison facilities.
Yet, even as the graduates celebrate academic success, Gullotta warned of the “brick wall of stigma” that often greets former inmates when they re-enter society.
“Rehabilitation cannot be taken seriously if society is unwilling to support reintegration,” she said.
Parole and Reintegration Challenges
Gullotta also criticised aspects of the parole process, noting that some graduates who were eligible for release have been denied parole. Official letters cited the need for “more rehabilitation” — a decision she finds hard to reconcile with the graduates’ leadership roles in the program.
For her, the next and most critical step is ensuring that these degrees translate into real opportunities. She is calling on private sector leaders, civil society, and policymakers to open doors for the graduates, insisting that the value of rehabilitation lies not just in education, but in the chance to use it.
