Dr. Denzil Douglas

During a recent conference, St. Kitts and Nevis Prime Minister Dr. Denzil Douglas stated unequivocally that implementing a policy framework to ensure that Childs’ Rights were protected in the Federation was a high priority of his government.

Dr. Douglas was a featured speaker at the UNICEF Mid-Term Review Meeting, held at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort from June 1 – 3. The major stakeholders in a four-year multi-country programme tasked to monitor and evaluate the Caribbean’s social policies aimed at shielding its most vulnerable citizens attended the meeting, under the theme of “Re-thinking the Agenda for Children.”

“In 1990 this county signed and ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child,” Douglas informed. “We have amended several pieces of legislation that protect our children, including The Juvenile’s Act, The Education Act, The Probation Act, and Child Welfare Board Act. We are participating in the OECS Family Reform Project and several model bills are being reviewed.

“Just recently my Cabinet approved the St. Kitts and Nevis Early Childhood Policy, which upgrades the 25-year old Early Education Program.”

The Prime Minister went on to note that the OECS Secretariat is helping to assist member countries in addressing critical children’s issues, such as juvenile justice, the legal status of children, and adoption.

“The reality is that the country’s future resides in our cherished children,” Douglas asserted. “Our obligation, therefore, is to prepare the path and provide the opportunities, as well as the systems and environment within which children can properly develop and reach their full potential.”

In a statement released for the event, the Hon. Marcella Liburd, Minister of Health, Social Services, Community Development, Culture and Gender Affairs, who served as one of the chairpersons of the event, praised the organization that brought the dignitaries and guests from neighboring islands together.

“UNICEF has been a stanch supporter of the region’s initiatives with regards to children, leading the way through its incomparable investments in our children, and in their future,” she said.

“Our region must be vigilant in ensuring that our children are protected and cared for, and that each child enjoys the right to live and grow as a child, and is guaranteed every opportunity to realize his or her full potential.”

Dr. James Fletcher, OECS Director of Social and Sustainable Development, released a statement that expressed sentiments that were in full accord with Minister Liburd’s.

“Over the last decade, our Member States, assisted by the community and development partners working in our region, have sought to enhance the well-being of children by making significant investments in programmes directed at children and youth. However, our world is changing, and so too is the context and the environment in which our children and young people grow and develop,” he said.

“Therefore, it is imperative that we take stock of those changing conditions and adjust our approaches, where necessary, so that we may create and sustain the nurturing environment that is essential for the balanced development of our youth and for commensurate returns on the investments that we make.”

The lead representative for UNICEF at the conference was Tom Olson of the organization’s Office for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean. He explained the general parameters of the aforementioned four-year program, and what it sought to accomplish.

“ In 2008, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Governments of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, embarked on this ambitious programme cycle entitled, “Social Policy, Monitoring, and Evaluation for Children’s Rights. … The overall goal of the joint multi-country programme is to contribute to the realization of children’s rights by fostering an enabling and protective environment for children, reducing children’s vulnerability to social risks, and enhancing their participation,” he said in a statement.

“At UNICEF we place great value on the partnerships we have developed with the ten governments in the programme. They are valuable partners. In this regard, I want to thank the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis for agreeing to host this important meeting. I also thank Ministers, partners, and technical counterparts from all other countries in the multi-country programme for their participation.”

The conference, which featured a panel discussion on the strategic priority issues beyond 2015, among other agenda items, concluded on June 3 in a closing ceremony featuring remarks from Dr. Fletcher; Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the OECS; Olson, and the Hon. Sam Condor, Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis.