Kingston, November 1,  024

Distinguished social anthropologist Dr Herbert Gayle, Senior Lecturer at The University of the West Indies, Mona, will deliver the keynote address. Dr Gayle will introduce the concept of a Child Safety Index for Jamaica, examining an ontological security perspective which includes food security, safety perception, support systems, and opportunity structures.

The symposium will also showcase four catalytic presentations:

Dr Chloë Fèvre, Violence Prevention Strategist from Lisbon, Portugal, will join JSIF’s Social Development Manager, Miss Mona Sue Ho, to present “Safe Passages for Schools.” Their session will explore successful international models from the USA, South Africa, and Mexico, alongside JSIF’s local implementation data and cost analysis for Jamaica.

Clinical social worker, Dr Claudette Crawford Brown, will demonstrate the effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioural Play Therapy in reducing children and youth violence.

Mrs Andrea Chaustre Canon, Director of Impact and Pedagogy at Colombia’s Fútbol con Corazon (Football with Heart), will present on using football as a tool for social transformation and reduction of crime and violence. The programme has expanded into Panama, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Argentina, Ecuador and Spanish speaking urban centres in the USA. She is supported by the Executive Director of FCC Colombia, Mr Carlos Perez Castro.

The final major presentation, Second Generation Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, will be delivered by Sergeant Winston Harris, Assistant Coordinator, National Neighbourhood Watch Unit, Community Safety and Security Branch, Jamaica Constabulary Force.

The public is invited to participate in-person by registering at www.pioj.gov.jm or follow the live stream on the PIOJ YouTube channel and participate using the interactive chat features that are available for online participants.

The partners of the Best Practice Symposium are: Planning Institute of Jamaica Community Renewal Programme (PIOJ CRP); Caribbean Development Bank (CDB); InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB); Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF); Ministry of National Security (MNS); the Social Development Commission (SDC); HEART NSTA Trust; and the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF).

For more information, contact the Best Practice Secretariat bestpractice@pioj.gov.jm