Red and Blue unite for kids
Even during the most heated battles of world wars one and two, there would be brief periods of truce, during which each side could bury its dead, observe Christmas, or just take a rest from the bloody business of killing. And while our political wars thankfully lack bloodshed, the concept of raising the white flag is still occasionally employed…as was the case today in Belize City. News 5’s Jacqueline Woods has the story.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Since the beginning of the nationalist movement a half century ago, there has been little that the Government and the Opposition have agreed on, but this morning it was refreshing to see Prime Minister Said Musa and UDP Leader Dean Barrow come together for the sake of our children?s future.
Dean Barrow, Leader of Opposition
?Indeed apart form what is taking place this morning, the joint endorsement of this plan of action, I can think only of the Guatemala issue that yielded this kind of agreement and joint effort. I do not know whether that?s good or bad, but it certainly is testament then to how the very important this question of protecting the welfare of our children and promoting their interests is.?
Said Musa, Prime Minister
?My friends at a time when our society seem so polarized because of the politics of hate and personal vilification. At a time when the discussion of issues take a back seat while some politicians chose instead to demonize their opponents it is so refreshing that the welfare of Belizean children has brought us together to work for the common good.?
Camille Ottley, 15 years old
? Well, I am very happy about it because after all we the children will benefit from it. So I am happy that the two leaders could have come together and support this whole action.?
Lentssia Lewis, 13 years old
?I felt good because it was the first time to see them really agreeing on something.?
Jennifer Moguel, 13 years old
?I was very happy because it?s like children you know who have differences but they come together. It doesn?t matter if they come from two different places or two different parties, but what really encouraged me was that they came together in agreement to help children in Belize and that really encouraged me.?
Musa says while Belize has made positive gains in addressing education, health, and cultural matters for our children, his government recognizes that there remain major challenges such as combating the spread of HIV/AIDS and its effect on our most vulnerable population. Likewise the country continues to be challenged by young people that come in conflict with the law. Both leaders endorsed the eleven year comprehensive national plan of action that focuses on six main areas.
Said Musa
?One is to provide accessible and affordable quality education that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes for morale, mental, and physical development and self fulfilment so that they can become creative and productive citizens. Two is to provide conditions to ensure optimum health for our children. Three is to safeguard the rights of children, especially those in abusive situations or victims of family violence. And four is to combat the spread of HIV and AIDS and minimize its effects on children. Five, to promote conditions for children to grow up in a nurturing family environment and six, to provide programs that enable children to develop a sense of self and a healthy respect and appreciation for the diverse culture of Belize.?
How the NPA will be implemented will be the task of the National Committee for Families and Children, NCFC.
Judith Alpuche, Executive Director, NCFC
?I think it?s a very realistic document. We had the political representatives of both parties working on this document and they as well as the technical people attached to this project ensured that the targets that are set are very realistic and very doable. It is not a radical departure from what we have been doing over the past twenty or so years since our Independence because we have made significant strides with regards to the development of children, but it is a way of ensuring that the gains that have been made are consolidated and that we even expand our services and support to our children and their families.?
NCFC Executive director Judith Alpuche says how much the NPA will cost to put into action has still not yet been finalized, but seeing the level of commitment demonstrated by the Government and Opposition, they are optimistic that they will receive the money needed from home and abroad. For those who will be affected by the initiative…well it gives them some reassurance about their future.
Camille Ottley
?The education part of it, that they will support children who cannot afford to go to school and if children are being abused, they will support children who are affected by it. HIV/AIDS is a big issue in the society and they will help children who cannot afford medication and stuff like that.?
Justin Pollard, 15 years old
?I think this is a very good plan because most youths and children are being neglected and abused everywhere and this will help lessen that factor.?
Lentssia Lewis
?The main thing happening in Belize that are affecting us are HIV/AIDS and teenage pregnancy and I would really hope that it stops.?
Jennifer Moguel
?Right now, children of Belize need a lot of support and help especially those in the rural areas who cannot afford to come to school. I think this will be a very good plan to help them and children even here in Belize who doesn?t have that opportunity especially for health.?
But as with all action plans concerning human development it will take all sectors of society working together to make it work. Jacqueline Woods reporting for News Five.
In 2002, political leaders appointed three representatives from their respective parties to a working group that actively engaged in the process of achieving consensus on the National Plan of Action. There was also representation from NCFC, the National Youth Council, PAHO and UNICEF. It took the working group eighteen months to formulate the NPA. As for that truce…it ends tomorrow as the UDP has announced that it will be picketing offices of the Social Security Board nationwide.
