Keep Children Safe! A Series of UNICEF Public Forums in Jamaica

Many of us are disturbed and sad at the way Jamaican children are treated – in communities, homes and often by the state itself. The month of May is Child Month in Jamaica, when there is a heightened focus on children’s rights. As a precursor to this, UNICEF Jamaica has partnered with several organizations (the Office of the Children’s Advocate, Do Good Jamaica, the Gleaner, Television Jamaica and Jamaica News Network) and arranged four public meetings this month, starting in Montego Bay next Tuesday. The aim is not just to air the challenges and problems, but to explore solutions. There is a way forward.

Children at a facility built by the Digicel Foundation for the NAZ Children’s Centre in Rose Hall, Montego Bay in July, 2014. The Centre is a multi-faceted educational institution for average and above average learners and children with special needs—each of whom gets specialised attention. They provide quality education for students with learning and other challenges such Down Syndrome, Autism, Learning Delays and Cerebral Palsy that constitute about half the student cohort. (Photo: Digicel Foundation) — Children at a facility built by the Digicel Foundation for the NAZ Children’s Centre in Rose Hall, Montego Bay in July, 2014. The Centre is an educational institution for average and above average learners and children with special needs—each of whom gets specialised attention. They provide quality education for students with learning and other challenges such Down Syndrome, Autism, Learning Delays and Cerebral Palsy that constitute about half the student cohort. (Photo: Digicel Foundation)

Do support these meetings, where you will have the opportunity to talk to a range of experts on specific areas in which our children need protection. And please share this information with anyone with children, around children or working with children. Or with people who truly care.

The meetings, each with a different theme, are scheduled as follows:

Public Forum #1: Keep Children Safe in the Community – Preventing and Interrupting Violence in Volatile Communities
Speaker: Rev. Everton Jackson, Board Chairman, Peace Management Initiative, Western Division
Tuesday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. Montego Bay Cultural Centre

Public Forum #2: Keep Children Safe from Sexual Violence – Supporting Adolescent Survivors of Childhood Abuse
Speakers: Eve for Life
Tuesday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m. Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston

Public Forum #3: Keep Children Safe in School – Reducing Violence Through Reinforcement of Positive Values and Behavior
Speakers: School-wide Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Program
Tuesday, April 19 at 6:00 p.m. Versalles Hotel, May Pen, Clarendon

Public Forum #4: Keep Children Safe from Online Exploitation – Protecting Children from Online Dangers
Speakers: Centre for the Investigation of Sexual Offences and Child Abuse (CISOCA) and the Cybercrime Unit
Tuesday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. Knutsford Court Hotel, Kingston

Members and clients of Eve for Life show their support for Jamaican children at a march organised by youth activists for Child Month, 2012. (My photo)

It’s time to start caring.

You can contact UNICEF Jamaica at 60 Knutsford Boulevard, 8th Floor, Kingston 5. Office hours: Mon. to Thurs. 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Phone: (876) 926-7584; Fax: 929-8084 Email: kingston@unicef.org Website: http://www.unicef.org/jamaica/ Also on Facebook, Twitter @UNICEFJamaica and Instagram.