Child Month: ‘Tolerance Today for a Violence Free World Tomorrow’

Child month was officially launched on Tuesday, under the theme “Tolerance Today for a Violence Free World Tomorrow.”{{more}}

Activities for the month are being spearheaded by officials of the Ministry of Education, who have listed several activities expected to take place in May.

While noting the growing trend of violence in the country, senior education officer Gwenette Cambridge noted that it is important to engage the public and students on the role that they play in making St Vincent and the Grenadines a better place.

“I want to remind not only you students, but everybody, that our nation’s children should never be taken for granted and we should do as much as possible to nurture and care for them,” she said to the audience at the opening ceremony.

“I think everybody knows that there is a frightening trend of violence in St Vincent. It doesn’t only affect adults, but our children are affected as well.”

Cambridge noted that while development must bring about change, persons should be aware that they are responsible for being selective about the changes that they embrace.

Director of the Gender Affairs Division Polly Oliver shared similar sentiments and noted that the theme is “one that will never grow old.”

“We are here declaring and determining to save this generation and succeeding generations from the scourge of violence and crime. Not just to declare a month of activities, but to reaffirm their commitment to the fundamental human rights that underline citizens of St Vincent and the Grenadines,” Oliver said.

Oliver, who noted that there was too much violence and crime taking place in the country, declared that education is the key to alleviating the trend.

“We need to make sure that we cultivate a culture of tolerance and of course, education is the key. Education policies and programmes should entail tolerance critical thinking and ethical reasoning and when we do that we cannot go wrong,” the director said.

In his brief address, Assistant Superintendent of Police Jonathan Nicholls stated that the police force is making strides in showing the youths that there is an alternative to crime.

Nicholls added that this was being done through the initiation of a number of programmes, like the Police Youth Clubs, and school visits, even at the pre-school level.

“We have come to the realization that we can’t just be reactive when it comes to young people and their problems in society,” the ASP said. “We as an organization, we have to be proactive. One crime is one too many and we have to continue to work together to ensure that our young people are guided in the right direction.”

Representatives from other stakeholders, including the National Committee on the Rights of the Child, National Association of Early Childhood Education, National Commission on Crime Prevention and the Ministry of National Reconciliation also delivered brief remarks.

The next big activity on the agenda for Child Month is a children’s march and rally, which will take place on May 8 at Victoria Park.(BK)