Georgetown : The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other key stakeholders have endorsed the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Social Development and Crime Prevention Action Plan as one which has the capacity – when implemented – to bring social stability to the Caribbean region.
At a sub-regional meeting of regional and international stakeholders who are in Guyana to develop an implementation model for the first phase of the plan, Ms Chisa Mikami, Deputy Resident Representative, UNDP, Guyana, noted that her organization was fully committed to supporting the pilot project on youth gangs and gang violence.
The CARICOM Social Development and Crime Prevention Action Plan was developed jointly with the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to “prevent and reduce levels of violence and crime in Member States, through a cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary approach…” The plan is grounded on five pillars – reduce violence; foster social inclusion; promote integration; empower victims; and protect the environment and economic resources – which are linked to the regional development agenda.
The Government of Canada, represented by David Devine, High Commissioner to Guyana and Ambassador to CARICOM, also endorsed the Action Plan which he stated could contribute significantly to reducing the overall crime in the “countries of the Region.”
He expressed hope that the Meeting’s impact would be felt throughout the Region and reiterated his government’s commitment to working with the Region in eradicating societal ills.
The Government of Guyana through the ministries of Youth Culture and Sport and Home Affairs also added their blessings to the Action Plan. Mr Carl Brandon, Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport affirmed his Ministry’s commitment to putting the necessary measures in place to address the issue of youth gangs and gang violence.
He averred that it was important to ensure a creation of a democratic, stable and peaceful environment a Community “in which the human rights of our youth are fully realized and in which they can accept full responsibilities, thus contributing not only to their own development but the development of the Community which should spin off to the international level.” His sentiments were also supported by Mr Floyd McDonald who represented Guyana’s Ministry of Home Affairs.
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