SKNYPA involves many in combating crime and violence
By VonDez Phipps
Reporter-SKNVibes.com
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Azilla Clarke, President of SKNYPA
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BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - IN response to the high level of criminal and violent activities witnessed by the nation and the adverse effects that they may pose to the development of the country, St. Kitts National Youth Parliament Association (SKNYPA) initiated a Crime and Violence Symposium on September 24, targeting the major stakeholders.
The Symposium, held at the Ocean Terrace Inn Conference Room, was launched as a joint effort among the SKNYPA, St. Kitts-Nevis Hotel Association, St. Kitts-Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce and the Rotary Clubs of St. Kitts and Liamuiga.
The primary purpose of the Symmposium is to facilitate discussion among social groups and various businesses in order to arrive at a national consensus for prevention and control of youth crime and violence.
It was noted by Vice Chair of SKNYPA Melissa Bryant, during the brief Opening Ceremony, that the objectives of the Symposium were to clearly define the ‘Kittivisian’ spectrum of crime; to agree on a framework of countermeasures for presentation to the National Executive; and to create a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the framework.
She also added that presentations would be made by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Patrick Martin, Assistant Commissioner of Police Joseph Liburd, and President of the Chamber of Industry and Commerce Mark Wilkin, focussing on a situation analysis with a concentration on current and future countermeasures. ~~Adz:Right~~
Azilla Clarke, President of SKNYPA, told SKNVibes that initially, organising the event seemed to be a discouraging task to execute but remained a priority for the group in its commitment to combat crime.
“We recognise that it [a crime and violence symposium] is needed, and although it may have seemed as a daunting task, the assistance of our partners, the information and the input we received aided in supplementing our inadequacy.
“It is something that we need to face and it is the mandate that we have to fulfil. The National Youth Parliament has been committed to be the lead agency for this cause. The only way that this will have teeth is if there is a positive response by the community. It is very difficult to legislate behaviour, but if the community sees it necessary it should challenge them to change their behaviour.”
President Clarke added that the youth and business representatives would be involved in plenary and break-out sessions addressing Social Protection; State Governance and Economic Policy; Educational Policy and Youth Services; Legal Reform, Juvenile Justice and Correctional System; and National Security: Community Policing and Border Control.
The results and resolutions arising out of these discussions will be through the National Executives and will be made available to the public.
