Winston Dookeran is a name that resonates far beyond the twin-island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. A man of unwavering integrity and vision, Winston Dookeran has devoted his life to public service, academic excellence, economic reform, and global diplomacy. Born into modest beginnings in Rio Claro, Trinidad, his journey is a compelling narrative of dedication, intellect, and principled leadership that continues to inspire generations.
Winston Dookeran: Humble Beginnings and Academic Pursuit
Born on June 24, 1943, into a hardworking Indo-Trinidadian family, Winston Dookeran grew up in a household filled with aspirations and rooted values. He was one of seven children of Mewalal and Sumintra Dookeran, two individuals who instilled in him a sense of duty and resilience. His early education in Trinidad laid the groundwork for a lifelong thirst for knowledge and service.
A former student of Naparima College in San Fernando, young Dookeran distinguished himself early through academic excellence. His ambitions soon took him beyond the Caribbean as he pursued higher education at the University of Manitoba in Canada. There, he earned a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Economics in 1966 and also served as President of the University of Manitoba Students’ Union—his first bold step into leadership and politics.
He then moved to the United Kingdom to study at the London School of Economics, where he received his master’s degree in Economics in 1969. These formative years laid the foundation for a career that would blend economic expertise with principled governance.
Winston Dookeran: The Economist Turned Political Trailblazer
Upon returning to the Caribbean, Winston Dookeran took up a teaching position at the University of the West Indies, where he inspired students for over fifteen years as a lecturer in economics. But the call to serve in a broader capacity led him into active politics. In 1981, he won the parliamentary seat for Chaguanas under the United Labour Front (ULF), setting in motion a political career that would span decades and leave an indelible mark on Trinidad and Tobago’s governance.
His leadership style was unique, driven not by populism but by pragmatic idealism and analytical foresight. As the ULF merged into the National Alliance for Reconstruction (NAR), Dookeran played a key role in the historic 1986 general elections that resulted in a landslide victory.
Appointed Minister of Planning and Mobilisation, he became a key architect in national development strategies. His composed and commanding leadership was particularly evident during the 1990 coup attempt, where he acted as Prime Minister during a national crisis while Prime Minister A.. N. R. Robinson was held hostage.
Even when he lost his seat in 1991, Winston Dookeran’s resolve remained unshaken. He transitioned smoothly into the international sphere, serving as a Senior Economist for UNECLAC and later as an executive board member of the Inter-American Development Bank and governor at the Caribbean Development Bank. These roles amplified his influence beyond national borders, allowing him to contribute to regional economic frameworks and policy development.
Winston Dookeran: Central Bank Governor and Political Resurgence
Winston Dookeran’s return to the domestic sphere came in 1997 when he was appointed Governor of the Central Bank of Trinidad and Tobago. Over the next five years, he established himself as a forward-thinking and prudent financial leader, earning national and international respect for his strategic stewardship of the country’s monetary policy.
His re-entry into active politics in 2002 under the United National Congress marked another critical chapter. In 2005, he assumed the party’s leadership before founding his party, the Congress of the People (COP). Under his leadership, the COP formed a strategic coalition and won the 2010 snap elections.
As Minister of Finance in the People’s Partnership government, Winston Dookeran played a vital role in rejuvenating a stagnating economy. His policies restored fiscal discipline and investor confidence, earning Trinidad and Tobago an AA-rating with a stable outlook from Standard & Poor’s.
In 2012, Winston Dookeran was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, where he brought diplomacy and economic insight to the global stage, strengthening the country’s international relationships until 2015.
The Global Educator and Public Intellectual
After decades of national service, Winston Dookeran embraced the next chapter of his life as an international public official and educator. He returned to academia as a Professor of Practice at the University of the West Indies and became a consultant to several international organisations.
His wisdom and experience found global recognition when he was appointed Under-Secretary-General at EUCLID (Euclid University) in 2019. By July 2020, he had assumed the role of Secretary-General, cementing his legacy as a bridge between governance, academia, and diplomacy.
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