Basseterre, St. Kitts, July 05, 2016 (SKNIS): Methods of intervention to deter young people from antisocial activities in St. Kitts and Nevis and to reform those who may have gotten entrapped were validated as an effective strategy at the Fifth National Summit on Preventing Youth Violence, held in Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A. from June 27 to 29.
Acting Permanent Secretary (PS) in the Ministry of Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services, Janelle Lewis, and Senior Youth Officer in the Department of Youth Empowerment, Pierre Liburd, of St. Kitts and Nevis, attended the forum held under the theme “A Hopeful Future: Sustaining Our Work to End Youth Violence.” They were joined at the conference by the twin-island Federation’s Ambassador to the United States, Her Excellency Thelma Phillip Browne.
“It was extremely informative as it encouraged the use of a public health approach in addressing crime and violence,” Acting PS Lewis said, noting that persons from across the United States and two other Caribbean countries – Jamaica and Guyana – shared stories, strategies and best practices at the meeting.
Delegates covered numerous topics such as Responding to Community Trauma in the Wake of Catastrophic Events; Connecting the Dots to Prevent Multiple Forms of Violence; The Arts at Center Stage in Youth Violence Prevention; City Approaches to Reducing Gun Violence; and Training and Employing the Hard to Employ.
A number of the strategies are already being employed by local government to engage at-risk young people and promote positive personal development. The Department of Youth Empowerment has conducted training for persons who may not have particular skills to enter the workforce. Past sessions have been held for at-risk youth. Young people contributing positively to society such as those that have received the 25 Most Remarkable Teens Award have also benefitted from training sessions. The department also provides entrepreneurial training under the Creativity for Employment and Business Opportunity (CEBO) where persons learn about, establish and run simulated businesses. Graduates also become better employees having gained an understanding of what employers require from workers.
On the Social Services front, Officers at Probation and Child Protection Services and the New Horizons Juvenile Rehabilitation Center have been trained in risk assessment. Social services to youth at-risk have been increased, and an additional counselor employed at the Counselling Unit. Additionally, the use of pre-trial diversion and post adjudication options are promoted in local legislation.
“The overall mechanism or construct served to validate for me the perspective that we have here in St. Kitts and Nevis which is to provide resources and technical capacities to empower local organizations and local institutions to address the needs of their local youth,” Senior Youth Officer Liburd said. “We believe that that is something we should continue to pursue and build on going forward … [taking] some best practices from our counterparts in the United States.”
The Becoming A Man (BAM) programme launched in 2001 in Chicago, Illinois, was of particular interest for Ms. Lewis. According to official documents, BAM is designed to help young men navigate difficult circumstances that threaten their future.
“We are concerned about our boys and the Department of Gender Affairs in collaboration with a number of private stakeholders will be launching a boy’s mentorship programme and through the forum, we can now network with BAM,” she said.
Ms. Lewis also referred to the upcoming second phase of the regional Juvenile Justice Reform Project which will continue to support efforts through initiatives such as additional training for key personnel including mental health workers which will enable them to work with juveniles so they can better deal with traumatic incidences in their lives or communities.
Senior Youth Officer Liburd said the meeting was timely as the information shared will factor into upcoming planning meetings for future programmes. Both officials thanked the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) for facilitating the local delegation’s participation in the three-day meeting and their continued interest in partnering with St. Kitts and Nevis in youth development and crime prevention.
The summit was presented by the National Forum on Youth Violence Prevention and the My Brother’s Keeper Initiative – a programme of U.S. President Barack Obama.
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