THE Caribbean Community (CARICOM) ministers with responsibility for children have pledged their commitment to undertake work in several key areas to improve the well being of the region’s children.

The ministers supported by delegations and organisations from the various Caribbean territories gave the assurance at the conclusion of 12th special meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD).

The recommendations titled “The Georgetown Declaration” seek to build a Region Fit for the survival, development, protection, dignity and participation of children within the Caribbean Community.

Belize’s Minister of Community Development and Transformation and COHSOD Chairman Mr. Peter Martinez addressing the media at a press briefing convened at the Guyana International Convention Centre, East Coast Demerara, underscored the commitments agreed to during the three day deliberations include:

* the establishment of mechanisms to improve the quality of, and increase access to inclusive early childhood care, education, and development services, particularly for vulnerable and marginalised children;

* the strengthening of protective environments in homes, schools and communities;

* the reformation of legislation and protection systems for children;

* the extension of social protection and welfare programmes to ensure equity of opportunities and to enhance life chances to guarantee holistic development;

* the implementation of Health and Family Life Education for children in and out of school;

* the completion and adoption of the Caribbean Corporation in Health 111 with a particular focus on continued reduction of children and infant mortality, nutrition related non-communicable diseases and increase physical activity in and out of school;

* the consideration of children and their particular needs in the revision of the Caribbean Regional Strategic Framework for HIV and Aids and;

* the retention of children and in education, enabling both boys and girls to complete their schooling to the best of their ability.

In addition, he said the following recommendations were made:
* raising awareness of the importance for immediate action to address the causes and consequences of climate change;

* advocating to effect the policy, technical, attitudinal and behavioural changes needed to ensure the survival and development of the next generation in a world affected by climate change;

* strategic planning in disaster preparedness and management for and with children;

* educating the region’s children of all age groups on the dangers of substance use and abuse;

* strategic planning and advocacy for addressing violence against children and

* monitoring the progress of implementation at the national level through National COHSODs and reporting to COHSOD on an annual basis.

Mr. Martinez affirmed the Community’s commitment to ensure children’s rights are realised as enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The COHSOD Chairman also confirmed that investing in children will be both a national and regional development priority.

He disclosed that some of the grave concerns that affect the region’s children which will be given strong attention include the adverse effects of natural disaster on children, climate change, violence, HIV and AIDS, child abuse and exploitation, family aspiration and migration, malnutrition and obesity.

“ Optimising the development of children from an early childhood to adolescence, through health care, early stimulation, development monitoring, parenting and community support, quality education, and safe and protective environments is fundamental to determining the well being and life chances of our children,” Mr. Martinez highlighted.

He also said emphasis will be placed on the importance of the family, spiritual and intellectual development, cultural identity and diversity, physical activity and the psychosocial well-being to holistically develop the region’s young minds.