STEMming Crime and Violence: the Challenge of Innovation

High schools from across Belize District converged at the Gateway Youth facility near the Gwen Lizarraga High School in Belize City for the launch of an innovation challenge by the Ministry of Education. The ministry in collaboration with Price WaterhouseCoopers and Peace Work International are inviting the schools to come up with a creative project using science, technology, engineering and mathematics to tackle the issue of crime and violence. At the presentation today, Minister of Education, Patrick Faber and Executive Director of Peacework, Stephen Darr spoke about the integral role that the students will play in the development of the country.

Stephen Darr

Stephen Darr, Executive Director, Peacework

“Never underestimate the power of knowledge in your life; never underestimate the power of financial knowledge. And what you can do with the resources available to you and the opportunities available to you. Never underestimate what you can do with that knowledge. And I am just pleased to be a part of this movement in Belize.”

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“I’m excited because this year we get to mingle and mix a lot of the issues that have to do with the work of our Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports. It is not only education that we are promoting in this challenge, but we are also promoting the fight against violence; and I am very pleased that the police are able to be a partner with us this year, represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police Chester Williams here today. This is very important work—the work of encouraging our young people to make sure that they know that they have a place in Belize’s development; in fact, you have the leading role in Belize’s development. And that is another thing that is being accomplished through this initiative.”