IN a historic first, the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security, through its Childcare and Protection Agency (CPA) and in collaboration with UNICEF, hosted Guyana’s inaugural Children’s Conference on Tuesday at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre.

The event was held under the theme, “Empowered Children, Safer Futures”, providing a safe and inclusive platform for children to express themselves, share experiences, and engage in meaningful discussions on issues that matter most to them.

Delivering the feature address, Minister Dr. Vindhya Persaud emphasised the importance of ensuring children are seen, heard, and supported as they navigate life’s challenges.
“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,” she stated.

The conference was designed to allow children to speak freely about their experiences and make recommendations that could inform policies and programmes aimed at improving outcomes in schools, homes, and communities. “Coming out of this conference, we would like to receive recommendations from you, 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?” Minister Persaud asked participants.

Over the past five years, the Ministry has implemented transformative initiatives to strengthen childcare services, including the Every Child Safe Campaign, the Street Light Project, and the Rapid Response Programme. Additionally, the National Integrated Early Childhood Development Policy was launched, focusing on holistic development for children from birth to three years and nine months, complemented by Guyana’s first Day and Night Care and Early Childhood Development Centre, providing 24-hour care for working parents.
During the conference, children participated in breakout sessions on critical issues such as mental health, delaying early sexual initiation, bullying, and Internet safety, equipping them with practical knowledge and tools to navigate risks and make informed choices.

The event was also attended by CPA Director Levine Gouveia, UNICEF Child Protection Specialist Dr. Loria-Mae Heywood, Deputy Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission Rosemary Benjamin-Noble, and other key stakeholders, reinforcing a shared commitment to creating safer and more empowering environments for children across Guyana.