Major Nigel Parris, Aide De Camp to Her Excellency the President, received the Commemorative Badge from the Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago on behalf of Her Excellency Christine Carla Kangaloo O.R.T.T., President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, patron of the Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago. The badge was developed in recognition of the 48th Anniversary of Republic Day in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as 62 years of Independence.

Special event badges must be submitted for approval by the National Scout Commissioner or the National Scout Council. The design must be emblematic in character, should not include personal names or initials and must not exceed 10 cm in width and 7.5 cm in height.

The commissioning of a special event badge is accompanied by a justification and rationale for its creation, as well as the criteria for wearing the badge, in accordance with our values and principles. This special event badge was designed based on the longstanding tradition of creating badges for special occasions within the Scout movement. It was created at the request of the Parades and Ceremonies and Communications departments of the Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago, in recognition of the participation of Scouts in both the National Republic Day Parade and the Republic Day Youth Parade.

Scouts, leaders, and members of the Association who participated in these events were presented with the badges as gifts from the National Scout Commissioner, in recognition of their hard work and dedication to promoting the Scout movement. These badges serve not only to acknowledge their contributions but also to promote the goals and ideals of Scouting, helping to spread awareness of our mission.

The design of the badge consists of two significant elements:

  • Left Portion (Steel Pan Design with National Fleur-de-Lis): This section is in the shape of the steel pan, the national instrument of Trinidad and Tobago, representing its global significance. The design incorporates not only the shape but also the definition of the steelpan, acknowledging its cultural value. The fleur-de-lis emblem of the Scout Association of Trinidad and Tobago is embedded within this portion, symbolizing our national identity. The steel pan also pays homage to its official designation as the national instrument, as recognized by World Steelpan Day on August 11 (UN reference).
  • Right Portion (National Flower with Global Fleur-de-Lis): The right portion features the Chaconia, the national flower of Trinidad and Tobago, symbolizing strength and patriotism. Alongside the Chaconia is the fleur-de-lis emblem of the World Organization of the Scout Movement (WOSM), representing our global Scouting family. This portion acknowledges our connection to the worldwide Scouting movement, while recognizing our sovereignty as a national organization with our own rules, constitution, and governing body.

This badge commemorates the 48th Anniversary of Republic Day in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as 62 years of Independence, and reflects the contributions of the Scout Association in promoting leadership, patriotism, and service to the nation. It highlights our role in advancing the goals and ideals of Scouting on both national and global levels.