Conference Programme/Magazine

2. FOREWORD
CARIBBEAN CHILD RESEARCH CONFERENCE
Jamaica Pegasus Hotel
Kingston, Jamaica
October 21, 2009
The Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies (SALISES), in collaboration
with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the Environmental Foundation of
Jamaica (EFJ), the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), the Early Childhood
Commission (ECC), the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA), the Caribbean Child
Development Centre (CCDC), UWI, the Office of the Children’s Registry (OCR), the
Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child (JCRC), the Child Development Agency
(CDA) and the Ministry of Education (MoE) is pleased to host the Caribbean Child
Research Conference.
The annual Caribbean Child Research Conference, which is held in Jamaica in October,
is a regional event, covering a range of child-related themes. The main objectives of
each annual conference are to:
1. Promote a culture of research among students in the high schools in the
Caribbean by facilitating the presentation by students of their research and
awarding a prize to an outstanding child researcher;
2. Promote a culture of research among teachers in the High Schools in the
Caribbean;
3. Recognize the work of child researchers in child-related research;
4. Disseminate findings on child-related research;
5. Strengthen the networking links among researchers of child-related matters; and
6. Inform the policy formulation and implementation process in the Caribbean
Region, through the published research findings.
This conference is not simply about children - it facilitates the meaningful participation
of children. There have been three important levels at which children participate: (1)
attendance at the conference; (2) presentation by children on the children’s panels; and
(3) selection of an outstanding child researcher. At the conference, research completed
by children is presented during the children’s panels.
Adult researchers also presented in their relevant fields in the last three conferences.
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the CRC, this year’s one-day conference will only
feature presentations by children. The theme of the conference is “Global Crises: The
Impact on Our Children.” The global food, fuel, and financial crises and rising conflict
and insecurity in some geographical areas increase the vulnerability of our children. Our
children‘s rights of access to adequate basic social services and protection will be
compromised. The negative impacts on children include: increased child labour, mortality
and morbidity, violence and abuse, decline in the quality and access to health and
education, reduced school attendance, deterioration in the quality of childhood and
parenting, child care and nurturing. All efforts must be made to provide adequate social
protection to save our children from the worst impacts of these global crises.

3. MESSAGE FROM THE PARTNERS
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
Jamaica
In 1989, the Convention on the Rights of the Child
(CRC) became the first legally binding international
convention to affirm human rights for children. Twenty
years later, the Convention has achieved near-
universal acceptance, having now been ratified by 193
parties. By agreeing to undertake the obligations of
the CRC, national governments have committed
themselves to protecting and ensuring children’s rights
and they have agreed to hold themselves accountable
for this commitment before the international
community.
The Convention sets out these rights in 54 articles and two Optional Protocols. It spells
out the basic human rights that children everywhere have: the right to survival; the right
to develop to the fullest; the right of protection from harmful influences, abuse and
exploitation; and the right to participate fully in family, cultural and social life.
The fourth annual Caribbean Child Research Conference commemorates 20 years of the
CRC by exclusively showcasing research planned, implemented and presented by young
people themselves. The meaningful participation of children has become the hallmark of
the conference; however, this year, children are the subjects and not only the objects of
the research. Following one of the key principles of the Convention, respect for the views
of the child, the research presented here at this conference demonstrates that children
can participate in a meaningful way to the policy dialogue and contribute towards the
solutions to the problems that they face as young citizens.
Jamaica’s national goals as articulated in the Medium Term Socio-Economic Policy
Framework (MTF), or Vision 2030, or targets established by the international community
as part of the Millennium Development Goals, cannot be achieved without the special
care, protection and development of children’s rights.
Solutions to the development challenges need to be broad-based and take into
consideration all the voices and opinions of Jamaican citizens. Children’s and young
people’s participation is paramount for the success and effectiveness of the development
process. Today it is only fitting that children take the centre stage – exercising their right
to express themselves and to be heard, in the true spirit of the CRC.
Robert Fuderich
Representative and Officer-In-Charge
UNICEF Jamaica

4. The Environmental Foundation of Jamaica
It is indeed an honour for the Environmental
Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ), to participate as active
partners in this the fourth Caribbean Child Research
Conference. The theme: “Global Crises: The Impact
on Our Children” is extremely relevant to our present
circumstances and reminds us that children are
people too with inalienable human rights.
It is also the 20th anniversary of the Convention of the
Rights of the Child (CRC). However, the CRC is not
just a piece of paper to allude to. Collectively as
people who work with children it is our responsibility to enliven this ‘paper’ and ensure that
the rights of all our children are being protected and that they enjoy them.
The meaningful, active, inclusive participation of all children must be non-negotiable in how
we set out to work with children, regardless of their circumstances. Their involvement in
issues that affect them must be respected whether it is in research, their education,
recreational or play time, the treatment of their bodies and mind, among other concerns.
Children remain the most vulnerable of people in conditions of poverty and economic
hardship, social and cultural upheavals, violence in the home and communities,
environmental degradation and disasters, among others.
The EFJ supports targeted strategic areas in the child sector. The first is Children in
Challenging Circumstances, such as those in institutions or homes, those with special needs,
and those adolescents at risk based on their environment. The second area of focus is Early
Childhood Interventions. Over the last five years, the EFJ has spent just over J$750 million
dollars on over 350 interventions aimed at developing the Jamaican child in communities,
districts, towns and cities throughout Jamaica.
The theme of this year’s conference reminds us that as we strive to develop solutions for our
social, economic, cultural, political and other crises, children’s voices must be included.
Children’s insight and experiences are invaluable to the process and in many instances, offer
the best hope. A key part of our role, then, is to ensure that their rights are respected,
protected, guaranteed and that space is made available for their inclusion and participation.
As this year’s conference proceeds, let us remember to put children first, as we strive to
make our region a haven for our children.
Joan Grant Cummings
CEO

5. MESSAGE FROM THE CONFERENCE CHAIR
A very warm welcome to the fourth Caribbean Child
Research Conference! We thank our partners for their
continued commitment to this annual conference.
Profound gratitude to the United Nations Children’s Fund
(UNICEF) which has provided support for the last four
years and special thanks to the Environmental
Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) which saw it fitting to
provide financial support, this year. A very special
welcome to all our students and their teachers!
Today, we celebrate the 20th anniversary of The
Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) by listening
to our children present on issues that affect them. We want to congratulate all our top 10
child researchers. We are very proud of you. The CRC encourages us to allow children
to participate in the examination of issues that affect them. The theme of this year’s
conference is “Global Crises: The Impact on Our Children” and it is important to listen
to the children as they express their concerns.
Undoubtedly, the global economic meltdown will have negative impacts on the poorest
children and their families. Rising food prices will mean the families will have to reduce
expenditure on health and education and spend less on food. Children may be forced into
the labour market at an earlier age. The global crises will affect the quality of childhood
that our children enjoy. In such a context, the rights of children to adequate provision and
protection will be compromised.
As we struggle to solve our economic and social problems, we are reminded by the CRC
that we must act in “the best interest of the child”, at all times. Adequate provision and
protection must be available to all children irrespective of age, gender and residence.
This is what we have promised them, from 1989, in the international Convention on the
Rights of the Child, and we must keep our promise.
Enjoy the conference, and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s conference when
we examine the theme “Five Years before 2015: The MDGs and Our Children.”
Aldrie Henry-Lee PhD
Conference Chair

6. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
A big thank you to the members of the secretariat:
Kimberley Wilson
Dacia Leslie
Tricia Jack
Floyd Williams
Richard Leach
Sophia Whyte-Givans
Aldrie Henry-Lee, PhD
Conference Chair
ANNOUNCING THE CARIBBEAN CHILD RESEARCH CONFERENCE 2010
“Five Years before 2015: The MDGs and Our Children”
The fifth annual Caribbean Child Research Conference will be held in Jamaica in October
2010. In 2010, we will be five years away from the 2015 deadline to achieve the
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
The MDGs represent global commitments and targets established at international
summits in the 1990s. The year 2015 was seen as the year that these goals and targets
could be achieved. The eight MDGs comprise 21 quantifiable targets with
approximately 60 indicators. The eight MDGs are:
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
At the conference, we will review the progress made in the fulfilment of these
international goals and targets and other international targets set for the improvement of
conditions for our children. Papers from adult and child researchers will be presented at
the conference.
For further information, please send an email to childconference10@gmail.com

7. PROFILES OF THE PARTNERS
P F
and regulatory fra
ameworks in the region, developed by y
United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICE
F EF)
CARICOM’s Early CChildhood Development Work
king Group.
maica
Jam
Telep
phone: (876) 926-7584 -5
Fax: (876) 929-808
84
UNICEF first established an office in
d n Email: kingston@uunicef.org
Jamaica in 1977. The cuurrent five-year
r
Website: www.unicef.org/jamaica
a/
programme of cooperatio (2007-2011)
e on )
with the Government of Jamaica has
G f s
five m
major programm components, four of which are Jamaica-
me h -
specif and one sub
fic b-regional: The Environme
e ental Founda
ation of Jama
aica
Advo ocacy, Public P Policy and Partnerships
This programme aims to support the Government’s
s s
comm mitment to the fulfilment of child rights, pov
c verty reduction
n
and participation a and transparency. It will h help to furtherr In 1991, the E
Environmental Foundation o of
gener rate knowledge on children’s rights, promote data use and
e e d Jamaica (EFJ) was established out of two
J ) o
partic
cipation in plann ning, advocate for commensu
e urate allocation
n bilateral deb
bt reduction agreements s
of res
sources, build critical partnerrships in suppo of children’s
ort s between the GGovernments o Jamaica and
of d
rights promote c
s, children’s participation at national and d the United States of Ame
t erica. The two o
comm munity levels, a strengthen national monitoring systems
and s funds created reduced USA
f AID and PL480 0
on chhildren’s rights. debt by $311 million The interest on the remain
n. ning $95 millionn
ojected to provide the Fund with a total o $21.5 million
is pro of n
Childdren and HIV/AAIDS over a 19-year perio to 2012. Operations of the EFJ began in
od n
Comp plementing fina
ancial support from the Globa Fund and the
f al e May 1993.
World Bank, the Ch
d hildren and HIV V/AIDS prograamme supports s
the im
mplementation of the Nation HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan
nal n ion Statemen of the En
Missi nt nvironmental Foundation o
of
2007- -2012, includding targeted d, data-driven prevention,
n Jamaaica (EFJ):
treatm
ment, care an support in
nd nterventions wwith vulnerablee
group of children a adolescent and the esta
ps and ts, ablishment of a The mission of th EFJ is to serve the p
he public good by
y
comp prehensive HI IV/AIDS monitoring system under the
m e prom
moting and imp plementing acttivities designe to conserve
ed e
mana agement of one national coord
e dinating author
rity. and manage the natural reso ources and e environment o
of
Jamaaica in the interest of susta
ainable develo opment and too
Child Protection
d impro child surviv and child de
ove val evelopment.
The CChild Protection programme supports the implementation n
of the National Plan of Action for an Integrated Response to
e r d o The EFJ is a maajor player in the Environm
ment and Child
d
Childr and Violen and the National Plan of A
ren nce Action on Childd secto through:
ors
Justic
ce. The programme will foster an env
f vironment that t
proteccts children from violence abuse and exploitation,
e, d • strategic g
grant making;
promo otes diversion programmes and communit ty/family basedd • building ssound partners ships and collaboration with
h
rehabbilitation and re
eintegration of children in co
f onflict with the
e other dono and grantee
ors es;
law, a provides h
and home/family ba ased care for c
children withoutt • capacity building of NGO Os/CBOs and c communities;
familial care. • affecting n
national policy t
through resear and lessons
rch s
learned in the field;
Quali Education and Early Chi
ity ildhood Development • public eduucation and awa areness;
programme see to improve both children’s readiness for
This p eks e r • supportingg mechanism ms towards sustainable
e
prima education a learning ou
ary and utcomes in sele ected curricular
r livelihoods among other activities.
s; r
areas in primary ed
s ducation, such as child rights and life skills-
s -
based education. Special atten
d ntion will be paid to the e The EFJ implem ments a very competitive grant making g
development of gen nder-sensitive, interactive and child-centred
d d progr ramme through an advertise ‘Call for Proposals’ on an
ed n
teach
hing and learnin methodolog
ng gies. The programme will also o annu basis. Gran are made a
ual nts available only to NGOs/CBOs
o s,
aim a improving t
at the quality of and accessib bility to health
h faith-
-based organ nizations and educationa
d al institutions
s.
servic for young c
ces children and the mothers.
eir Throughout the yeears, the EFJ has disbursed over J$2B in
d n
grant to over 1,10 projects. Th
ts 00 hese projects are focused in n
Sub-R Regional Early Childhood Development
y D a ran of themes t
nge that within the Child Sector in
nclude:
This pprogramme aim to improve outcomes for c
ms o children in early
y
childh
hood through s support to effec
ctive programm
ming in country y • early childhood interventtion – training o professionals
of s
office and to the harmonization and coordin
es nation of sub- - in the field enrichment p
d; programmes; e early stimulation
n
region initiatives led by the CA
nal ARICOM and partners. The e programm mes & training; early detect tion of specia al
programme is desig gned to advanc a ten-point action plan for
ce r needs;
suppo to advocac monitoring and evaluatio knowledge
ort cy, on, e • children in challenging ci
n ircumstances;
• children w disabilities a special needs.
with and
gener ration, parentin and the deve
ng elopment of po
olicy, standardss

8. The E oversees a average of 200 projects a any one time
EFJ an at e 6. provide a phyysical and socia environment conducive to
al
in bo rural and u
oth urban areas. The EFJ is g
governed by a good staff and student relations.
d
Board of Directors made up large of NGOs, r
d ely representatives
s
of the two governm
e ments, UWI an a Child Survival Director.
nd
The Institute has p
published an e
extensive list o monographs
of s
The EEFJ has a me embership of 40 NGOs and is staffed by a
4
Secreetariat of 14. and books over th years. In addition, thre journals are
he ee e
produuced by the Institute: Soc cial and Eco onomic Studies
The E is committ to being a leading player in the Child &
EFJ ted r (Monna); Caribbean Dialogue (St. Augustine), a
and the Journa
al
Enviro
onment secto ors and a strong voice in national
e of Ea
astern Caribbea Studies (Ca Hill).
an ave
development in these areas. Thr rough strategic grant making
c g
(socia philanthropy strengthenin civil society organizations,
al y), ng The Institute hosts a series of se
eminars, special lectures and
d
applie research, le
ed essons learned in the field, education and
d d
nnual conferen
an an nce. Informatio can be obtained from:
on
awareeness, the EFJ intends to ach
J hieve these goaals.
phone: (876) 9
Telep 960-6744 / 960
0-8799 CAVE HILL
Fax: (876) 9
920-8799 Telep
phone: (246) 417-4476/8
Email: salises@uwichill.eddu.bb
Website: http:/
//www.uwichill.
.edu.bb/salises
s
Sir Arthur Lewi Institute of Social and
is
Ecoonomic Studdies (SALISEES) MONNA
Telep
phone: (876) 927-1020 / 9227-1234
Email: @uwimona.edu
iser@ u.jm
The Sir Arthur Lewis Ins
A stitute of Social Website: http:/
//salises.uwimo
ona.edu.jm:110
04/
and Economic
E Studies
S was
s
ST. A
AUGUSTINE
establishe in August 19 as a result
ed 999 t
Telep
phone: (868) 662-2002 Extn. 2038
of a merg of the Inst
ger titute of Social
Email: salises@fss.uwi.tt
and Eco onomic Rese earch (ISER),
Website: http:/
//www.uwi.tt/so
ocsci/ises/
estabblished in 1948 and the Con
8, nsortium Gradu uate School of f
Socia Sciences (C
al CGSSS), estab blished in 1985 It has been
5. n
name after Sir Ar
ed rthur Lewis, No obel Laureate in Economics s
and t the first Vice Chancellor of the University of the West
y t Ca
aribbean Chil Developm
ld ment Centre
Indies
s.
SALISSES has bra anches on the three campuses of the e
The Caribbean C Child Development Centre e
Univeersity of the WWest Indies: Cave Hill, Bar
C rbados; Mona,
(CCD DC) is a unit o the Consor
of rtium for Socia al
Jamaaica; and St. Auugustine, Trinid and Tobago. Each branch
dad h
Deve elopment and R Research, of th University o
he of
is hea
aded by a dire ector. One of the directors is appointed as
s s
the W
West Indies Op Campus. E
pen Established as a
Univeersity Director, responsible for the overall functioning of
f f
regio
onal centre for research and t training in early
y
SALISSES. The cur rrent University Director is ba
y ased at the St.
childhhood education and care in the seventies s,
Augustine Campus.
the ffocus of activit
ties of the cen
ntre has varied d
ugh its existence. Presently there is a s
throu y, strong focus on n
The Institute’s manddate is to conduct training and research of a
d
reseaarch related to a range of children’s iss
f sues, including g
nal, multidiscip
region plinary and policy-oriented nnature to servee
teachhing a new co ourse on Child Rights Educ
d cation targeting g
the nneeds of small developing countries like those in the
e e
profe
essionals, tech hnical assistannce for the e early childhood d
Caribbean. It has been designa ated as one o the principal
of
deveelopment sector across the Ca aribbean, and networking and d
units at the core of the university’s School of Gra
s aduate Studies
s
inform
mation sharing within the regi and interna
ion ationally.
and RResearch.
The C Centre assists in the Master of Education in Leadership in
n n
The v
vision of SALIS
SES is to:
Early Childhood D
y Development, and also contributes to the e
teach hing and tutorring of severa undergradua courses in
al ate n
1. be an internati ionally renowne institution fo
ed or
Nursing, Psycholog Human Nut
gy, trition and Med
dicine. We alsoo
development p policy analysis;
;
facilit
tate ongoing and occa
g asional stude ent exchange e
2. be a location f theoretical and philosophic reflection
for a cal
progr rammes.
on developme studies;
ent
3. provide a high challenging and rewarding intellectual
hly
The CCDC has p provided goveernments in th region with
he h
environment fo graduate stu
or udents and rese earchers
techn
nical assistanc to support early childhood developmen
ce nt
interested in ddevelopment po olicy analysis;
(ECD through vario projects. T most recen has been the
D) ous The nt e
4. provide policy advice to gove ernments and o other
Child Focus III pr
d roject (2005-2
2007) which ssupported ECD D
institutions thro
ough contract and graduate s
a student
capacity building in a number of C
Caribbean Devvelopment Bank
research;
memmber states by undertak king work in curriculum m
5. engage in high h-quality research which is pu ublished in
deveelopment, ECD costing, finan
D ncing and sus
stainability, andd
leading region and internat
nal tional journals a
and
the implementation of policies and regulator systems fo
n ry or
monographs; a and
improoving the qualit of ECD services.
ty

9. Our nnetworking and information sharing work ha increased in
d as n osition to ach
a po hieve its full potential and consequently
d y
the la few years. With the sup
ast pport of UNES SCO, we have e deve
eloped country status by 2030
0.
contin
nued to host c child-related teleconferences/ /electronic fora
a
The provision of soocio-economic data is at the heart of PIOJ’s
s
to shhare research findings and other developments with
d h
mand chieved in part by publications such as:
date. This is ac s
partne across the Caribbean. We also maintain two websites
ers W s
and a number of da atabases provid ding information on academic c • Economic and Social Surve Jamaica (Annual)
ey
paper rs, reports and other materials, ins
m stitutions and d • Jamaica Surv of Living Conditions (Annual)
vey
organnizations relate to child ma
ed atters across tthe Caribbean, • Economic Uppdate and Outlo (Quarterly)
ook )
and a continuing to develop the with the a
are ese assistance of a
numb of partners and funding agencies inclu
ber s uding the OAS S Miss sion Statemen of the PIO The Planning Institute o
nt OJ: of
Inter-A
American Child dren’s Institute the Dudley G
e, Grant Memorial Jama aica is comm mitted to lead
ding the proc cess of policy
y
formu ulation on ec
conomic and social issues and externa
s al
Trust, the Institute o Education, UWI, and UNICE Jamaica.
of EF,
coop peration manag
gement to achieve sustainable developmen
nt
for th people of Ja
he amaica.
We a are active mmembers of th Childwatch International
he h
Research Network, the Consulta
, ative Group ((CG) on Early y Telep
phone: 876) 960-9339, 906-4463/4
(8
Childh
hood Education, and the Child Rights Univeersity Network, Fax: (8
876) 906-5011
and mmost recently the Internation Early Child Development
nal d t E-maail: in
nfo@pioj.gov.jm
m
Comm mittee. Website: http://www.pioj.g
h gov.jm
Further information on CCDC activities, publications and
n d
bases can be fo
datab ound on our we
ebsite.
Off
fice of the Children’s Advocate
Telep
phone: (8
876) 927-1618
Fax: (8
876) 977-7433
Email: cc
cdc@uwimona.edu.jm The Offfice of the Children Advocate e
Webs site: ht
ttp://uwi.edu/op
pencampus/ccd
dc/default.aspx
x (OCA), a commission of Parliament
n t,
was established under the Child d
Care and Protection Act (CCPA) in n
Pla
anning Institu of Jamaic
ute ca 2004 fo the purpose of protecting
or e g
and enforcing the rights of chil ldren in Jama aica. The firs st
dren’s Advocate was appoi
Child inted in Janu uary 2006 and d
assumed her position in Februar 2006. The m
ry mandate of the e
The P Planning Institu of Jamaic (PIOJ) was
ute ca s OCA is the protectio and enforce
A on ement of the rig
ghts of children
n.
establiished in 1955 as the Central Planning Unit
l t The v vision of the O
OCA is to see c
children in Jam
maica enjoy the e
(CPU) with the mandate to provide the e prote
ection of their rights and consideration of their bes
r st
Government with credible data an research to
nd o
vely plan for the country’s development.
effectiv intere es. The mission is to prom
ests at all time mote the safetyy,
The CCPU became th National Pla
he anning Agency y best interests and well being o children an to promote
d of nd e,
in 197 The functio
72. ons, however, remained the e prote and enforce their rights. T mandate a stipulated by
ect e The as y
same In 1984, unde the provision of the Plann
e. er ns ning Institute of
f the first schedule of the CCPA 200 is as follows
f 04 s:
Jama
aica Act, the A Agency becam a statutory body and its
me y s
name was changed to the Planning Institute of Ja
e amaica (PIOJ). 1.
1 Keep unde review the a
er adequacy and e
effectiveness o
of
The Institute, head ded by a Dire ector General, currently falls s
law and practice relating to the rig
ghts and bes st
under the portfolio o the Office of the Prime Mini
r of ister.
interests o children.
of
As th foremost ec
he conomic and so ocial planning agency of the
e
gover OJ’s functions include:
rnment, the PIO 2.
2 Keep unde review the a
er adequacy and e
effectiveness o
of
service p provided for children by the relevan nt
• initiating and coordinating the developme of policies,
t ent authorities
s.
plans and p programmes fo the economic, financial,
or
social, cultura and physical development o Jamaica;
al of
3.
3 Give adv vice and m make recomm mendations to o
• undertaking re esearch on nat
tional developm ment issues;
Parliament or any Minisster or relevan authority, on
nt n
• providing techhnical and rese
earch support to the Cabinet;
o
• undertaking c consultant activities for loca and foreign
al n matters concerning the rights or be interests o
e est of
government e entities; children. This may be upon the req quest made by y
• managing e external coop peration agre eements and d Parliament or other relevant authoritties or, as thee
programmes; siders appropr
Children’s Advocate cons riate.
• collaborating with external funding age encies in thee
identification and implem mentation of development t 4.
4 Take reas sonable steps to ensure tha children are
at e
projects; and aware of the functions an location of t office of the
nd the e
• maintaining a national socio--economic libraary.
Children’s Advocate. Al lso ensure tha children are
at e
The PIOJ has speearheaded Vision 2030 Jam maica, National made aw ware of the ways in which they may y
Development Plan a long–term plan, which will put Jamaica in
n communic cate with the Ch
hildren’s Advoc
cate.

10. 5.
5 Take reasonable steps to ensure that the views of f Adop
ption Board, a and the Child Support Un
d nit, to provide
e
children an persons hav
nd ving custody, c
control or care
e enha
anced service d
delivery to child
dren and their f
families.
of children are sought co
oncerning the e
exercise by thee
Children’s Advocate of he functions.
er Visio
on
The Child Develop pment Agency will be an innovative and
y d
6.
6 The Children’s Advocat may provide assistance
te e results-driven organnisation, with c
competent and confident staf
d ff
(including f
financial assist
tance) to a chi in making a
ild ering services that meet the individual need of clients.
delive ds
complaint t or against a relevant autho
to ority.
Misssion
7.
7 The Children’s Advo ocate may conduct an n To aachieve the ho olistic developmment of childre through the
en e
investigatio into a comp
on plaint made by a child, his/her
r creattion, implementation, coord dination, and regulation o of
parent, guaardian, or any other individua who has the
al e progrrammes and policies, which m meet Jamaica’s obligations to
o
child’s best interests in mind.
t m intern ards for children.
national standa
8.
8 The Childrren’s Advocate may in any co
ourt or tribunal The C
Child Developm
ment Agency:
bring proceedings, other than crimina proceedings,
r al
involving la or practice concerning t
aw e the rights andd • provides quuality care for c
children in the g
guardianship of
f
best interes of children.
sts the State;
• promotes th best interest of children;
he ts
9.
9 The Child dren’s Advoca ate may inter rvene in any y • aims to maiintain children in families;
proceeding before a co
gs ourt or tribunal, involving law
w • advocates t protection o children from abuse; and
the of m
or practice concerning th rights and be interests of
he est f • advises on policy and lega issues relatin to children.
al ng
children.
The CDA monitors the adoption of internatio
s n onal child care
e
10.
1 The Childr ren’s Advocate may in any co
ourt or tribunal conventions locally and assists in developing and promoting
y g
act as a ‘friend of the court’ in any proceedings
e s Jamaaica’s position on children’s is
ssues internatio
onally.
involving la or practice concerning t
aw e the rights andd
best interes of children
sts Telep
phone: (876) 9
948-6678/948-2
2841-2
Fax: (876) 924-940
01
To da ate, the OCA has made many strides in c carrying out its
s
mand date. The Office has repres sented children in courts and
n d Email: info@cda.go
ov.jm
tribun
nals; visited children’s facilitie to ensure co
es ompliance withh Website: www.cda.gov.jm
the laaw; given pol licy and legal advice; subm mitted positionn
paper to the Senate; forwar
rs rded an annual report to o
parlia
ament; underta aken public education campa aigns to inform
m Ea Childhoo Commissi
arly od ion
childr of their righ and how to protect themse
ren hts elves.
These activities have been done in partnership with various
e e s
The Early Ch
T hildhood Commission is an n
institu
utions at all lev
vels. The OC is committed to protecting
CA g
agency of the Ministry of Education and
a d
and e enforcing the rig
ghts of all child
dren in the Jam
maican society.
Youth, establis
Y shed by the EEarly Childhoodd
Commission Ac of 2003. B
C ct Born out of the
e
Telep
phone: (8
876) 948-3771/
/1293
need for a long-term vision and plan for a
n
Fax: (8
876) 922-6785
comp prehensive delivery of early childhood pro ogrammes and d
Email: ch
hildrensadvova
ate_ja@yahoo.com
services, the Comm mission was esstablished as the agency with
h
overa responsibilit for early chil
all ty ldhood develop
pment (ECD) inn
Jama aica. Using an integrated approach, th Commission
he n
Child Developm
ment Agency
y
bring under one umbrella all the policies and standards
gs s
perta
aining to early childhood devvelopment. It aalso maximizes
s
the uuse of limited resources by ensuring a more cohesive
y e
The Child Develop
C pment Agency y delive of services.
ery
(CDA) is the Execut tive Agency off
the Ministry of Health and
M d The C
Commission’s legislated func
ctions are to:
Environ
nment which
w has
s
responsibility for prov
viding a stable
e • dvise the Cabinet, through the Minister of Education and
ad d
and n
nurturing living environment fo children who are in need of
or o f Youth, on policy matters relati to Assist in preparation o
Y y ing n of
care a protection.
and . pl
lans and programmes concer rning ECD;
• monitor and evaluate imp
m plementation o plans and
of d
blished on Ju
Estab une 1, 2004, the CDA s subsumed the e pr
rogrammes for ECD and make recommen ndations to thee
respo
onsibilities of the Children
n’s Services Division, the
e Government;
G

11. • act as a coordinating agency to streamline ECD activities; reports, the Children’s Registry records, assesses and then
• convene consultations with relevant stakeholders as refers the reports to the Child Development Agency (CDA) and
appropriate; the Office of the Children’s Advocate (OCA) for their
investigation and action.
• analyse the resource needs of the sector and make
recommendations for budgetary allocations; The Children’s Registry also serves as a repository where
• identify alternative financing through negotiation with donor statistics on incidents of child abuse in Jamaica may be found
agencies and liaise with them to ensure efficient use of the and used to inform operational and child friendly policies and
funds provided; guidelines. In addition, through regular monitoring of the
trends, the Registrar will be able to indicate which types of
• regulate early childhood institutions; and
services are needed and where they are needed.
• conduct research on ECD
Since its inception, the Registry has been playing an integral
Since the start of its operations in 2004, the Commission has role in capturing incidences of child abuse. In 2008, the
been working assiduously to achieve its mission of “an Registry received over 4000 reports of child abuse, a
integrated and coordinated delivery of quality early childhood significant increase compared to the over 400 reports received
in 2007. Between January and August 2009, over 4000 reports
programmes and services, which provide equity and access for
were received. By providing a single, centralized point to which
children zero to eight years within healthy, safe and nurturing reports should be made, the Children’s Registry facilitates the
environments.” The Commission is aware that the future of following:
Jamaica rests on the investment made in ECD today and
embodied within its existence is the potential to make dramatic • improved confidentiality and a reduced risk of
changes to the future of our country. information leakage
• quicker response times to children in need of care
Vision: All children having access to high quality early and protection
childhood development services enabling the • increased reporting of child abuse and maltreatment
realization of their full potential. • a centralized source of information and statistics on
child abuse and related issues
Mission: An integrated and co-ordinated delivery of quality
early childhood programmes and services, which Contact Information
provide equity and access for children zero to eight
years within healthy, safe and nurturing Individuals who wish to make a report to the Children’s
environments. Registry may call the following numbers:
Telephone: (876) 922-9296-7 Toll Free: 1-888- PROTECT (776-8328) Tel: 908-2132
Fax: (876) 922-9295 Cell: 822-7031 (LIME) 878-2882 (DigiCel)
E-mail: earlychildcom@cwjamaica.com Fax: 908-2579 Email: ocrjamaica@yahoo.com
Website: www.ecc.gov.jm
For other matters, the Children’s Registry may be reached at:
Tel: 908-1690 Fax: 908-0246
Office of the Children’s Registry
Email: ocrjamaica@yahoo.com
Individuals may also catch up with us on Facebook (username
The Office of the Children’s Registry is a Children’s Registry) or follow us at Twitter (username OCRJA)
statutory body under the Ministry of
Health, which was established on January
Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the Child
1, 2007 as a provision of the Child Care
and Protection Act 2004 (CCPA).
The Jamaica Coalition on the Rights of the
Mission
The Office of the Children’s Registry provides a confidential Child (JCRC) was founded in 1991 as a
central system to receive, record, assess and refer reports for lobby group for promoting the UN
investigation and maintains a register of child abuse reports. Convention on the Rights of the Child. Its
members are non-government
Vision organizations (NGOs) that are concerned
The Office of the Children’s Registry will be the premier with the rights of the child in Jamaica. Over the years the
organization to receive reports of known or suspected child
abuse, as it will create an atmosphere of confidence for the JCRC has conducted several programmes focusing on issues
Jamaican people. It will also act as a catalyst for the such as:
establishment of other Children’s Registries in the Caribbean.
• the quality of parenting
Functions • safety and protection of children
The main role of the Children’s Registry is to receive reports of • lobbying for improved governance regarding children’s
children who have been, are being or are likely to be issues
abandoned, neglected, physically or sexually ill-treated, or are • working with teachers for rights-focused school
otherwise in need of care and protection. After receiving these
environment

12. • encouraging ch
e hildren to accep that rights an
pt nd Min
nistry of Edu
ucation
responsibility go hand in hand
o d
• providing public education and building public awareness
p c d
of
o child rights
The Ministry of E
e Education (MoE is the centra
E) al
Despite these effort large numbers of Jamaica children are
ts, an e bod with responsibility for educ
dy cation issues in
n
still a risk. The JC
at CRC sees this as a challeng to renew its
ge s Jam
maica.
efforts and find more innov
s vative ways to influence e
impro stitute violation of child rights.
ovements in aspects that cons n The Ministry e
e exists to ca arry out the e
Goovernment’s ma andate of ensuring a system m
GOAL 2008—2012
LS which secures quality educatio and training
on g
for all persons in JJamaica in ord to optimize individual and
der e d
• In
nitiate a com mmunity devel lopment appro oach to buildd natio
onal developme As such, th Ministry of E
ent. he Education is the
e
communities th exemplify child participa
c hat ation and workk drivin force for cha
ng ange, growth a achievement in education
and n,
fu
ully for the development and social inte egration of the
e providing legislation policies, stra
n, ategies, plans and resources s
child.
c to ennable institutions, agencies and other bod dies to achievee
• Expand our pa
E artnership and involvement in campaigning
n g their agreed output.
fo improvements in implem
or mentation of prrogrammes for r
Visio
on
children.
c
A cuustomer-centred, performanc ce-oriented edu
ucation system
m
• Im
mplement pu ublic educatio on and public awareness s integral to the deve
elopment of pro
oductive, globa competitive
ally e,
programmes in promoting a more child-friendly society.
p m socia conscious J
ally Jamaican citize
ens.
• Work with specific target aud
W diences to dra attention to
aw o
children with sp
c pecial needs. Misssion
• nvolve children in programm
In mes that enhance personal To provide strategic leadership a policy direc
and ction for quality
y
development an social respo
d nd onsibility. educcation for all Jamaicans to maximize their potential,
o
• Assist the deve
A elopment of du bearers and professionals
uty d s contr
ribute to nation development and compet effectively in
nal te n
who have resp
w ponsibility for the care, devvelopment and d the g
global economy y.
protection of ch
p hildren.
• Promote more active collabo
P oration between the coalition
n The Ministry’s miss sion and vision will be achiev through the
n ved e
members.
m impleementation of activities co
f onsistent with its eight (8
8)
strate
egic priorities li
isted below:
• Develop and consolidate networking wi
D n ith other civil
society organizations.
s tegic Priorities
Strat s
The M
Millennium De
evelopment Go
oals i. Improving process and sy
ystems to enhance efficiency
y
and servic ce delivery throughout the system m
The M
Millennium Devvelopment Goa (MDGs) are eight goals to
als e o
be ac
chieved by 2015 that respon to the world challenges.
nd d’s ii. Enhancing e
education outco
omes
The M
MDGs are draw from the act
wn tions and targe contained in
ets n
iii. Building the leadership c
e capacity at all levels of the
l e
the M
Millennium Dec
claration that was adopted b 189 nations
w by s system
and s
signed by 147 heads of state and governme ents during the
e
UN MMillennium Sum
mmit in Septemb 2000.
ber
iv. Creating an environment which fosters positive socia
al
interactions
Goal 1: Eradicate e
extreme povert and hunger
ty
Goal 2: Achieve unniversal primary education
y
v. Improving facilities and infr
rastructure
Goal 3: Promote geender equality and empower women
Goal 4: Reduce ch mortality
hild
Goal 5: Improve maternal health vi. Strengthenin and expandi partnership
ng ing ps
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malar and other diseases
ria
Goal 7: Ensure envvironmental sustainability vii. Strengthenin the policy, legislative a
ng and regulatory
y
Goal 8: Develop a global partnersship for development framework
The JCRC is dedicated to prommoting the rights of the child
d viii. Reshaping the ethos/cu ulture of the
e sector and
d
throug public educ
gh cation, advocac and child rig
cy ghts awarenesss enhancing th corporate im
he mage
programmes. .
Head Office
d Caenwood Complex
phone: (876) 9
Telep 977-7924 Phon (876) 922-1400 -10
ne: Phone: (876 922- 9370 -9
6) 9
Fax: (876) 927-10098 Web: www.moey.go
ov.jm
E-ma jamist2006@yahoo.com; jcrcrights@ya
ail: ahoo.com

13. SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES
8:00 - 9:00 am REGISTRATION
Opening Session
Chairperson: Professor Brian Meeks, Director, SALISES
9:00 - 9:05 Welcome
Nada Marasović, Deputy Representative, UNICEF
9:05 - 9:20 Greetings
Ms Tsahai Thomas, Outstanding Child Researcher 2008
Mr. Carlton Levy, Vice Chairman, Environmental Foundation of Jamaica Board
Dr. Mark Figueroa, Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences
Mr. Joseph Pereira, Deputy Principal, UWI Mona Campus
Honourable Andrew Holness, Minister of Education
9:20 - 11: 00 Children’s Panel (1)
Paper 1: Jodi-Ann Morris (St. Andrew High School) – What Are the Main
Reasons/ Factors that Lead Students to “drop out” of High School in
Jamaica and the Major Effect on Society?
Paper 2: Qian Miller (St. Catherine High) – Teenagers and Religions
Paper 3: Gillean Galloway (St. Andrew High) – Causes and Effects of Child
Abuse and Neglect on its Victims
Paper 4: Susana Dale (Dunoon Park Technical) – An Examination of the
Benefits of Extra-Curricular Activities
Paper 5: Kevin McLeish (St. Catherine High) – Child Abuse
11:00 - 11:30 Keynote Address
The Right Honourable Bruce Golding
Prime Minister
11:30 - 11:35 Entertainment: Old Harbour Primary School