UNGA head Dennis Francis visits his Woodbrook school

WHEN Dennis Francis returned to his alma mater, Woodbrook Secondary School, on August 6, he told its current students without honouring the principles he learned there, “I would not be effective as the president of the General Assembly of the UN.

“It was education that delivered me to the presidency of the UN,” he added.

Francis, a diplomat, was elected UNGA president in 2023.

He stressed the core values of the school, which he said were respect, integrity, honesty and fair play, saying these values were also crucial in building just and fair societies, not only in Trinidad and Tobago, but around the world.

He encouraged the country to continue to place great emphasis on education, quoting Dr Eric Williams’s famous comment, “The future of this nation lies in the schoolbags of our children.”

“Modernising that statement, it probably lies in your knapsacks and in your computers,” said Francis.

He said this year would mark 51 years since he graduated in 1973, and Woodbrook Secondary had played a major role in his lifetime achievements. He said success is possible through attending Woodbrook Secondary without the prestige of having attended a “ranking” college.

“I am and always have been proud to have gone to Woodbrook, to have gotten the same British grammar-school education as taught in the prestige schools.”

No other encounter, he said, had moved him with as much emotion as coming home to Woodbrook Secondary School, where it all began.

Addressing students, he encouraged them to take a diligent approach to their schoolwork in order to be successful. He challenged young people to be dedicated, work hard, get involved, be disciplined, make their own success and listen to their parents, who mean well.

Stressing the importance of women’s role in society, Francis said, “This institution has produced a pilot, a female pilot, a rare thing.

“This is no casual achievement in a world where, in very many countries, through public policy, women are treated as second-class citizens, inferior, not able to perform at the same level with men and not paid at the same level of men for performing the same job.”

He said Trinidad and Tobago can build an established, strong, cohesive, highly productive society by encouraging and allowing women to work alongside men to create the dream that this country has extraordinary potential to become.

“We are the ones who have to do it, and no one else would do it for us. The responsibility starts and ends with us.”

Francis spoke about present-day society as it relates to global and digital transformation.

He said artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionising the way people do business, entertain themselves and live their lives.

But he warned AI can be dangerous and shared some advice on it.

“I learned to my horror that murder can be committed remotely using AI.”

Francis said there was a need for caution, since not all AI is good AI. Guiderails must be created and that is something the UN is working on. He said this would ensure that AI is an asset to society rather than endangering society.

Francis said the work of UN is the work of Trinidad and Tobago, and encouraged young people to do something that attached them to the work of the UN.

Acting principal Renee Ramdial said Woodbrook Secondary School does not solely focus on academics, but there are many extra-curricular activities such as football, netball and robotics, among many others. But Ramdial admitted the school lacks one thing: space.

She said, “It is my sincere hope that we, Woodbrook Secondary School, will be able to raise the necessary funds to build our new wing in the allocated adjacent grounds, as this will allow us to not only cater for additional classrooms and a hall, but the long-awaited reintroduction of Woodbrook Secondary School sixth form.”

Kamia Holder, a Form Four student, told Newsday, “This day really showed me that our school can lead to success and it is very, very important to remember that, because sometimes you get cdiscouraged as to how our school is not as ‘prestige’ as others, but we have the same results as others.”

Inniss, another Form Four student, said Francis speech was very impactful and helped her figure out a career choice.

Samora Mack, also a Form Four student, said it uplifted and encouraged her to know her school does not have to be a prestige school to reach a certain level and she knows the sky is the limit.

Francis term as president ends in September.

With reporting by Kris-Ann Durity