State of the Nation Children’s Conference
“Coordinating the Child Protection System: Building Protective Environments”
November 14-16th, 2011
Conference Overview
This year the International Community celebrates the twenty-second anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child; the call is most certainly to return to the fundamentals of the CRC – Protecting Children. Additionally, the recent onslaught against the children of Belize has resulted in public outcry for those responsible for protecting the rights of children to amplify their efforts. This heightened awareness has revealed the gaps in the systems and the special measures in place to restore justice and dignity to the affected children and their families. The complexities of these issues have revealed that the protection system continues to battle with legal and procedural impediments. The National Committee for Families and Children (NCFC) has the mandate to both promote and protect the rights of children and has a vested interest in addressing these concerns. The time is appropriate to engage stakeholders in identifying strategic action that will build the protective environment with a coordinated approach. The NCFC in partnership with the Ministry of Human Development and Social Transformation (MHDST), the Special Envoy for Women and Children, Youth for the Future (YFF) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) is coordinating a Three day State of the Nation’s Conference under the theme “Coordinating the Child Protection System: Building Protective Environments”.
- Monday 14th November, 2011: Key government, civil society and community partners will convene to achieve consensus on priority actions on coordinating the Child Protection System. This session will convene at 9 am to 4:30 pm at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza.
- Tuesday November 15th, 2011: A consultation will be held with a wide cross section of the children of Belize to identify a meaningful participation strategy for their engagement as active advocates for their rights within a framework of responsibility and respect. This second day session will be held from 9 am to 3 pm at the Belize Elementary School Auditorium.
- Wednesday 16th November, 201: The Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition and key stakeholders coordinating the Child Protection System in Belize signs off on a list of priority actions identified throughout the conference. This will be done through the medium of a Press Conference at 10 am at the Belize Best Western Biltmore Plaza.
Prioritizing, coordinating, and committing to our actions provides a significant platform and step towards the building of protective environments for children and our families. Your participation and engagement in this conference and wider coordination efforts will only enhance the performance and responsibility that we hold for the holistic development of our Children of Belize.