PHILIPSBURG–Minister of Education, Culture, Youth and Sports Affairs (ECYS) Silveria Jacobs believes that children should be placed at the centre of the community.
In a press release on the occasion of International Day of the Rights of the Child observed on Monday, Jacobs said November has always been a very special month in the lives of the children where, as a country, St. Maarten has promoted the awareness of children’s rights for more than three decades in collaboration with French St. Martin.
“This year, a unique occasion has been presented to us since the passing of Hurricane Irma to truly demonstrate our sincere commitment towards the wellbeing of our children,” she said. “The devastation of the hurricane, I dare say challenged almost every article as presented in the International Children’s Rights Convention, which has been ratified by 195 countries, including our beautiful island St. Maarten, which forms part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
While two countries are yet to ratify this convention, history has proven that it is the most widely ratified international human rights treaty, therefore placing great emphasis of its importance.”
She called on the community to join her in the continued commitment of placing children at the centre of this community, noting that more than ever, commitment is needed in advocating legislation and reporting codes in the quest of combating child abuse; in ensuring that the basic standards are met to ensure the safety of children at all times, and to ensure that children have access to health care without discrimination.
Commitment is also needed to ensure that children remain within the family, which is the primary institution as the main source of their protection, as separation is the least desirable outcome, and to ensure that all children continue to receive an education and that this basic right is uninterrupted for as long as possible.
She said Day Care Centres, afterschool and sports programmes as part of St. Maarten’s safety net structures were placed on the priority list to ensure their unrelenting service in the community. “Our efforts continued with the collaboration of the local and International Red Cross sponsoring a three-month meal programme for approximately 5,000 students within the primary schools. Joint programmes with our counterpart government of the Northern side were also held for our children and youth in the area of sports during our annual St. Martin Day celebrations.”
A special highlight was the Youth Debate with a combined team of Youth Parliamentarians of both sides of the island, who faced the team of Hyacinth Richardson Debating Foundation.
“All programmes and efforts reflecting our country’s commitment in safeguarding children’s rights as it relates to the articles of the convention, which focus on education, safety, protection, nutrition and expression. We may not have been able to celebrate with all our stakeholders this year as we have done in the past, but let this be a time of true reflection of our responsibility as a country to provide the basic needs as outlined in the Children’s Rights Convention,” she said. “Our consciousness that business can never be the same in this ever-changing world as it relates to the wellbeing of our children, must propel us to endeavour in realising our Ministry’s vision by ensuring that our children and youth are given opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential to become active citizens with a shared responsibility.”
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/71114-jacobs-children-should-be-centre-of-community
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