In a groundbreaking effort to create a safe and inclusive space for children to freely express themselves, share experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security’s Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA), in collaboration with UNICEF, successfully hosted Guyana’s inaugural Children’s Conference under the theme “Empowered Children, Safer Futures.”

This landmark event, which was held on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, placed children at the centre to amplify their voices on the issues that matter most to them while fostering empowerment and sharing information.

While delivering the feature address, Minister, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, stressed the importance of ensuring that children are equally heard, seen, and supported as they navigate the challenges of life.

“What we wanted to achieve was a platform for children and young people to have the opportunity to discuss and deliberate on their present lives and their future. The theme of this conference seeks to empower you, the children, and ensure that you have a say in your future,” the Minister stated.

While the Ministry continues to implement programmes, policies, and guidelines, and invests in state-of-the-art infrastructures to ensure the safety and well-being of children, Minister Persaud emphasised that the most important thing is to ensure that children understand and experience their rights as well.

As such, the conference was precisely organised to ensure that every child was allowed to speak about his/her experiences and share recommendations which could be utilised in policies and programmes to strongly improve the outcome.

“Coming out of this conference, we would like to receive recommendations from you [the children], and those recommendations should reflect what you want for your country. What would you, as children, like to see in your schools, homes, and communities that will not only empower you but also help you feel safe?” the Minister told the children.

Over the past five years, the Ministry has made remarkable progress in strengthening childcare services through a series of transformative initiatives. Among these are the Every Child Safe Campaign, the Street Light Project, and the establishment of a Rapid Response Programme, all aimed at enhancing protection and support for children.

In addition, the Ministry launched the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy, focusing on the holistic well-being of children from birth to three years and nine months. Notably, Guyana’s first-ever Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Centre was opened, providing 24-hour childcare to support working parents.

These achievements form part of a broad spectrum of initiatives designed to ensure that every child grows up in a safe, nurturing, and empowering environment.

During the conference, children engaged in a series of breakout sessions focused on critical issues such as mental health, delaying early sexual initiation, bullying, and internet safety. These sessions were designed to equip them with knowledge and practical tools, ensuring they are aware of the risks and empowering them to make informed choices to protect themselves.

Also in attendance at the conference were CPA’s Director, Levine Gouveia, UNICEF’s Child Protection Specialist, Dr. Loria-Mae Heywood, and Deputy Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, among other key stakeholders.

Another 25 individuals on Tuesday graduated from the UK City and Guilds Masonry course, now earning themselves internationally recognised certificates.

The course is being offered by the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network (WIIN) in partnership with Nations Inc.

Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, attended the graduation ceremony, which was held at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, and delivered the feature address.

Minister Persaud expressed her deep satisfaction in seeing that out of the 25 persons, 15 were dedicated women who had committed themselves to learning a skill in a traditionally male-dominated field.

She noted that the Government will continue to invest in the course since the expectation of training 500 persons has been far exceeded in Levels 1 to 3 of the UK City and Guilds courses, of which at least 196 are women.

“We [the Government] are building the future of this country, and we need people to move along the trajectory of development. So, I want you to not only learn but to deliver your service with integrity and excellence. When you deliver your skill, you must be reliable, responsible, and your work must speak for itself so that you can be in high demand,” Minister Persaud encouraged the graduates.

She further stated that with this new skill, the graduates are entering into a lucrative labour force, making themselves more marketable and increasing their disposable income.

Meanwhile, turning her attention to the partnering agencies, which include UK City and Guilds and Nations Inc., the Minister noted that partnership is extremely important in order to yield success.

“We have had good international, national, and inter-agency partnerships, and this is how we will build and develop our country,” the Minister stated.

Furthermore, the Deputy Director of Social Services, Hamwanttie Bisesar, explained that in 2024, after examining the job market, the Ministry partnered with the UK City and Guilds to allow women the opportunity to upskill themselves in Masonry, Carpentry, Plumbing, Welding, and Electrical Installation.

However, it later extended the partnership to also include men since there was a high demand in the labour force.

“The response for these courses were so overwhelming that the Ministry made the decision to open them to men as well, ensuring opportunities for all are promoted and catered for,” Bisesar noted.

She pledged the Ministry’s continued assistance to these graduates, noting that as they continue to seek professional development and financial independence, the Ministry will always support them through WIIN’s business clinic and its other programmes.

The Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, in collaboration with the Guyana Association of Professional Social Workers (GAPSW) and the University of Guyana, on Tuesday launched the groundbreaking Certificate in Paraprofessional Social Services (CPSS) programme at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

This programme is specifically designed to equip individuals from the hinterland, rural, and remote communities with the core knowledge, practical skills, and ethical foundations necessary to address social service issues within their communities effectively.

They will be able to support Government agencies, function in capacities equivalent to Social Services Officers, and access meaningful employment opportunities.

Delivering remarks, Minister Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud explained that the programme was conceptualised based on the challenges of scarcely finding persons who are trained in social work and can optimally provide care in the hinterland regions.

“This prorgamme will be done in partnership with the University of Guyana, funded by the Government of Guyana, and done through the Women’s Innovation and Investment Network-WIIN. We are hoping to have at least 150 Paraprofessionals trained in the area of social work. We will employ those persons and have on-the-job training. We will then be able to fully staff our facilities in the hinterlands and rural communities,” Minister Persaud detailed.

She further stated, “With this programme, we are also giving a lot of young people opportunities because all we require is a few CSEC subjects. It’s opening the door to more and adding to our Government’s long list of free and building on what is needed in communities.”

The CPSS initiative will truly be a game-changer, expanding the country’s human resource capacity and enhancing the delivery of social services across Guyana with greater speed, efficiency, and impact.

Meanwhile, Debbie Hopkinson, President of GAPSW and a Lecturer of the University of Guyana, noted that programme will decrease the time in which matters are being dealt in the hinterlands.

“This course is going to be offered for persons who reside in the far-flung communities so that whenever we have certain situations happening, we have persons who are accessible and reachable. So, matters will not necessarily have to come to Georgetown, but it can be dealt with, and then the necessary actions will be taken,” Hopkinson stated.

She added that the course, which has 3 credits, will be a ‘certificate’ in Paraprofessional Social Services and will take the form of a feeder-elementary course. Upon completion of the course, participants will then be required to enroll in the Institute of Distance and Continuing Education, where they can become qualified for the Introduction to Social Work 1 and 2 programmes.

The Government of Guyana continues to invest heavily in free tertiary education, ensuring that every citizen can afford to upskill themselves, become financially independent, and contribute to the country’s growing economy.