1st MIT Caribbean Students’ Conference

Technology and Society in the Caribbean

Friday October 6th – Sunday October 8th

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

The Honorable Prime Minister Patrick Manning of Trinidad
and Tobago

Biography

The Honorable Patrick Manning was elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago on October 7th, 2002, his third time to that office.

Mr. Manning entered politics in 1971, at age 24, as the People’s National Movement candidate for the Constituency of San Fernando East, emerging victorious in the General Elections of that year. He won this seat in every General Election since, totaling 9 contests to date.

Serving under Prime Ministers Dr. Eric Williams, then Mr. George Chambers, the young Representative Manning was appointed a Parliamentary Secretary in Ministries ranging from Works and Transport to Industry and Commerce, and Petroleum and Mines. He became a full-fledged Minister in 1981 holding the Industry and Commerce, and Information portfolios, then Energy and Natural Resources.

When the PNM lost the General Election in 1986 after 25 years, Mr. Manning was one of three PNM candidates who retained their seats. He became the Leader of the Opposition and within 2 months was elected to the post of Political Leader of the PNM.

In 1991 Mr. Manning was elected Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago.

He lost the General Election of 1995, returning to the position of Leader of the Opposition for the following six years. In 2001, when a deadlock arose in the House of Representatives, Mr. Manning was appointed Prime Minister by President Arthur N.R. Robinson. A General Election was then held on October 7th, 2002 and Mr. Manning again emerged victorious. He is currently the Prime Minister and the Minister of Finance.

Born in San Fernando in 1946, Mr. Manning attained his primary and secondary education in South Trinidad, followed by his B.Sc. Degree (Special Honours) in Geology at the University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica. Mr. Manning has extensive experience in the Energy Industry. He is highly regarded in the local community for his integrity and his passionate commitment to the needs of the country’s social sector.

In December 2003, Prime Minister Manning was awarded the Guyana Institute for Democracy "Democracy Prize" for his outstanding work in upholding the principles of democracy in the Caribbean region.

He is well-respected in the international community for his vision as a new-style Caribbean leader bent on having Trinidad and Tobago not only grow to developed country status on or before the year 2020, but simultaneously contribute to the development of fellow Regional States. In December 2004, he was awarded the Caribbean - Central American Action's "Star of the Caribbean Award", for his unwavering support of Caribbean neighbours in their time of distress.

Mr. Manning is married to Senator the Honourable Hazel Manning, current Minister of Education, and they have two sons - Brian and David.

Chronology of Service

2001 - Present
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 

1995 - 2001
Leader of the Opposition

1991 - 1995
Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago 

1990 - 1991
Opposition Member of Parliament
 
1986 - 1990
Leader of the Opposition
 
1987 - Present
Political Leader of the People's National Movement

1981 - 1986
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

1981
Minister of Information and Minister of Industry and Commerce

1979 - 1981
Minister in the Ministry of Finance (Public Service Portfolio) and Minister in the Ministry of the Prime Minister
(Information Division)

1978 - 1979
Minister in the Ministry of Finance (Maintenance and Tobago)

1976 - 1978
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication

1974 - 1976
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Industry and Commerce

1973 - 1974
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister assigned to the Ministry of Planning and Development

1973
Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister

1971 - 1973
Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Mines

1971 - Present
Parliamentary Representative for San Fernando East Elected in
1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002

The Honorable PATRICK MANNING became the
"Longest Serving Member Ever" in Trinidad and Tobago Parliament on September 16th, 2001.