THE American University of Peace Studies, in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport, started a five-day training course on Human Development at the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) at Onderneeming, Essequibo Coast.

Assistant Director of Youth in the Ministry of Youth, Mr. Devanand Ramdat, told the opening session yesterday that the planning process for the sessions began more than two months ago.
He said he recognised that training for capacity building is very vital, and the procedure commenced long before the problems and destruction that took place at the institution in August.
Ramdat acknowledged the importance of providing the relevant support to staff at the NOC, so as to empower them to serve the children under the Ministry. He noted that the work and operation at the only juvenile correctional centre must, at all times, be given serious consideration.
He said he is pleased with the long and meaningful assistance of the National AIDS Programme Secretariat (NAPS), and his expectations are that all staff members selected to actively participate would successfully complete every part of the programme.

Social rehabilitation
Ramdat said staff members must utilise what they have learnt in order to serve and develop the children sent for care and social rehabilitation at the NOC.
He challenged the course facilitators to prepare user-friendly manuals for staff and children/students of the institution, and not let the experience of August 22 and 23 prevent them from delivering their best.
“We are all in this rebuilding process. There are many positives that will come out of this,” Ramdat declared.
The programme is also sponsored by NAPS, Dr. Becco of the Centre for Research on Women’s Issues, and Dr. Eton Simion of the American University.
Some of the topics that will be covered during the five days are post-trauma recovery, anger management, self-awareness, conflict resolution, psychotherapy, mental health, psychology, alternatives to corporal punishment, and emergency preparedness.