Trinidad and Tobago Calypsonian, David Michael Rudder has been honored by the Caribbean Community in a special way. He received the Order of the Caribbean Community on Wednesday at a ceremony held in Trinidad.

The ceremony was held at the Diplomatic Centre in St. Ann’s, and during a detailed Citation, Foreign and CARICOM Affairs Minister, Dr. Amery Browne praised the entertainer for his stellar contribution as a “cultural icon to the social fabric of Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean as a whole”.

In accepting the award, Rudder sincerely thanked the Caribbean Community and the Government of Trinidad and Tobago for the honor. He encouraged young people to continue to learn and never give up.

The Order of the Caribbean Community represents the highest award in the region. It can only be held by 15 living awardees at any time. It has been ten years since the award was last presented to an honoree.

Privileges include free movement among Member States of the Community. Recipients are issued a travel document, which is assigned similar status to a diplomatic passport. Awardees are also able to reside in and be gainfully employed in any Member State. They are also given the right to acquire and dispose of property, as would citizens of Member States.