Submitted by crinadmin on
[13 May 2012] - Caribbean leaders will converge at the Jamaica Conference Centre May 14-15, to discuss stepping up efforts to tackle the regional epidemic of violence against children. Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) on Violence against Children, Marta Santos Pais, and Jamaica’s Minister of Youth and Culture the Hon. Lisa Hanna, are among 150 delegates from CARICOM Member-States, civil society groups and adolescents who will participate in the meeting. The meeting is hosted by the Government of Jamaica and co-organised with the SRSG, the Global Movement for Children in Latin America and the Caribbean and CARICOM. The UNVAC study – the most comprehensive global report on violence against children – was presented to the UN General Assembly in 2006. It includes several recommendations, including: the creation of coordination mechanisms at the national and local levels to support the protection of children against all forms of violence; the development of related comprehensive public policies, strategies and integrated plans; and legal reforms. The Caribbean Consultation builds upon the 2011 South American Sub-Regional meeting held in Asunción, Paraguay and the Central American Meeting held in the Dominican Republic. Both meetings were co-organised by the SRSG and the Global Movement and led to important political regional commitments to strengthen children’s protection from all forms of violenc (Roadmap to contribute to the realisation of the right of all boys, girls and adolescents to protection against all forms of violence in South America and Santo Domingo Declaration). Further Information: