Georgetown: The Rights of the Child Commission recently in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, conducted a capacity building workshop with senior staff members of the following institutions under the jurisdiction of the Ministry: The New Opportunity Corps, The Sophia, Kuru Kuru, and Vryman Erven training centres. The workshop took place at the Ministry’s head office, Main Street Georgetown.
The Workshop focused on apprising the participants on the tangible components of professionalism and leadership and the Sexual Offences Act 2010.
The session on professionalism, examined aspects of professional workplace conduct which fits into the categories of 1. Competence, 2. Results Oriented, 3. Integrity and 4. Caring. In the session on leadership, participants were encouraged to contemplate on the core causes or mission statements of their respective institutions. The RCC also encouraged participants to share such core causes with the lower rungs of staff within their organisation upon their return.
Meanwhile, the session on the Sexual Offences Act 2010, conducted by the Deputy Chairperson of the Commission Ms. Rosemary Benjamin Noble, participants were exposed to a detailed presentation, which included:
1. General and new offences,
2. Offences against children under 16 years,
3. Obstruction by person in a position of trust,
4. Sexual offenses against persons with mental disorders,
6. Powers of the court.
Fellow RCC commissioners Ms. Colleen Anthony, Ms. Sandra Hooper and chairperson of the Commission, Ms. Aleema Nasir, significantly augmented Ms. Noble’s presentation as participants took the opportunity to seek clarity on a number of areas outlined in the Act.
This Capacity Building Workshop is the product of a substantial partnership between the two institutions and which aims to empower and elevate the capacity of the various subject bodies to better discharge their mandates.
The Rights of the Child Commission, for the year 2014, has made two visits to the NOC during which training was conducted with the staff there. The RCC focused on the following areas:
1. The needs of the child,
2. Shapers of human development,
3. The UNCRC (please spell out),
4. Juvenile Offenders Act & Sexual Offences Act,
5. Effective data collection and management and
6. Psycho social role of caregivers in a juvenile correctional
facility.
7. Literacy
8. Leadership development.
In addition, the RCC is currently engaging the attention of the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport to discuss a number of concerns, which were brought to the attention of the Commission by the student population of the NOC.
The Commission is also engaged in a number of initiatives with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) aimed at enhancing capacity at the NOC. The RCC has also made visits and conducted similar workshops with the staff of the Sophia and Kuru Kuru Training centres. The Commission intends to continue work in the Centres.
The commissioners of the RCC are committed to the partnership with the Ministry as we address the developmental needs of Guyana’s at risk and disadvantaged children and young people.
You must be logged in to post a comment.