Before and ever since he graduated from Hillview College in Tunapuna as its valedictorian in 2009—receiving ten out of the 14 awards—Nicholas Morris showed his leadership qualities that have propelled him to the limelight on the youth leadership front today. Among the awards he received at that graduation ceremony were Student Making The Most Significant Contribution to College Life, Principal’s Gold Medal for Top Performing Student and Award for Promoting School and School Values.
In that vein of leadership, and at the young age of 24, he has risen through the ranks of a number of organisations and delegations. Most recently, he was commended by the United Nations (a commendation which he proudly showed off to the Sunday Guardian) for his leadership and commitment towards ensuring youth engagement and development...a vision for ensuring a place, plan and purpose for the youth, which led to UN Habitat officially appointing him to be UN youth co-ordinator of the My World 2015 Campaign and Youth 21 Initiative in the entire Caribbean.
UN Habitat analyses and studies human settlement patterns, and develops methods for controlled settlement with the preservation of the environment in mind.
In November 2013, young Morris led the youth delegation from T&T to the Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) Youth Forum where he led the sessions on Education and Technical and Vocational Skills. He has represented T&T three consecutive times as the nation’s delegate to the Commonwealth Heads of Government Youth Forum from the period 2009 to 2013: Trinidad—2009, Australia—2011, Sri Lanka—2013. As the UN youth co-ordinator of the My World 2015 Campaign and Youth 21 Initiative, Morris’s first agenda was to attend the World Youth Conference in Sri Lanka very recently, inclusive of ministers and governments, where he presented and represented the Caricom Youth Position in the interest of the Caribbean Region.
He is responsible for creating a system for sustainable youth engagement in the Caribbean as well as establishing a permanent forum on youth issues in the Caribbean, so it would be reflected globally and in the United Nations.
This means he has to examine all the youth systems of the Caribbean to ensure they are working towards development and establishing the development goals set by the United Nations and the UN Habitat programme. His second duty is to ensure the Caribbean youth is actively involved in the UN My World post 2015 agenda, which is a global survey being conducted by the United Nations to develop the new Millenium Development Goals. He has to ensure that at least 60 per cent of the Caribbean’s youth are involved in this process by ensuring each Government’s support along with importance of the project. Morris is currently the youngest ministerial adviser in T&T, serving as adviser to Attorney General Anand Ramlogan. Before assuming the office as adviser to the AG, he served as personal assistant to the Minister of Food Production Devant Maharaj. At 19, Morris became one of the youngest directors of a state company in the Caribbean region when he was appointed a director of Ytepp Ltd (Youth Training and Employment Partnership Programme).
He is serving his second term as youth arm chairman and youth officer on the national executive of the United National Congress, and he has served two terms as youth parliamentarian, first in 2008 and then in 2010 as Youth MP and Youth Minister of Education in the 7th Regional Youth Parliament. He has served as research officer in the Office of the Prime Minister from July 2011 to June 2012. His latest thrust locally is the formation of a ‘Youth Cricket For Life’ league following his recent ‘Youth Football For Life’ initiative.
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
I was born in Mayaro and spent the first six years of life there. I then moved to Arima, where I currently reside.
Tell us about your inspiration to do the type of ‘work’ you do in the field of youth development.
My inspiration comes from my background. I have come from a single parent home, and I thank God for all the opportunity he has given me. My inspiration is to work to ensure that all our youth are given the opportunity to achieve success. I always say my duty is to ensure the children of janitors and taxi drivers have the same opportunity and path to success as those of lawyers and doctors.
What are some of the challenges you face as a youth leader?
The greatest challenge I face is the greatest asset I have—youth. Many people in society are not willing to listen to young people or give them a shot at life changing opportunities. We hear the rhetoric of "the youth are the future" but hey man, the youth are also the present. I wish I could tell you that I overcame that challenge by protesting and leading thousands into a revolution, but I didn't. At this point in time, I am working towards making the youth voice stronger and creating a place, plan and purpose for all youth. One of the main issues is the area of youth engagement; we need to solidify the avenues by which youth can express themselves. We must ensure youth realise, utilise and maximise their talents. I have just started to lobby the major media houses for more youth-based programming, and they are responding well. By next month, we hope to have our own show...I will keep fighting for a louder youth voice and input.
What advice would you give to the young people of T&T?
My advice to my fellow youth would be: we all have talent, we must find that talent in each other and respect that it may be different but not any less important. We must then hand in hand utilise and maximise this talent to find a place, plan and purpose for each other.
If you had to solve the ills that prevail in T&T, what would you do?
My entire mantra is finding a place, plan and purpose for all. I believe it is when everyone finds that place they belong in they can work hard to change a nation. Thus to change the ills, I would listen more and then allow and assist everyone to find that place they feel or know is the best way they can work to a better nation.
What goals and or ambitions do you still have?
My goal is to continue with my youth engagement campaign through my various groups so that the youth voice can be heard and the youth can use their talent to define our nation along with world history. My ambition would be to capture or obtain any other positions or move up to any other position where I can serve and develop youth and generally people while bettering their standard of living.
If you had an opportunity to meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
I would love to meet Tony Blair because I am a great follower of his past political career. Tony Blair, at a young age, captured the leadership of the British Labour Party and modernised it, allowing it to capture power for three terms. In those three terms as PM, he displayed courage and grit. I think in today’s world, in any circle, one has to have vision and fortitude, as he did.
Who was your hero growing up and why?
Growing up my hero was cricket star Sanath Jayasuriya because at that time he was doing something against the odds. He was leading a team of guys who were all underestimated, and from a nation plunged into civil war against world teams full of resources and skill. But he used his determination and never say die mentality to ensure Sri Lanka would one day become the super power it is today in cricket.
Upcoming events and contact info?
I was recently in Sri Lanka at the World Youth Conference, and soon I will be launching the “My World Youth Campaign” and “Young Women’s Leadership Programme.” For those willing to offer support and work with us, they can call me at 710-2603 or email me at nick-970@hotmail.com
Describe yourself in two words one beginning with N, the other with M, your initials. N—natural, meaning I’m always me I never pretend to be something I’m not I’m always me and even if my environment changes, I remain Nicholas Morris and stand for what I always believe in. Mature—as a young person in a leadership role, I always try to be mature in all my actions since one to whom much is given much is expected.