SPEAR launches good governance education campaign

In this month of patriotism, one local organisation has created a series of educational videos designed to teach our youngest citizens the inner workings of governance and democracy. News Five’s Kendra Griffith reports.

Gustavo Perera, Programme Director, SPEAR
?It?s difficult to mobilize people to act on their rights if they are not aware really of what those are.?

Kendra Griffith, Reporting
In an effort to increase Belizeans? knowledge of their rights, this week SPEAR launched a video documentary series entitled, ?Civic Education for Good Governance.?

Gustavo Perera
?The main objective is designed to create an awareness among the voting and non-voting population in Belize on issues relating to governance, creating an awareness that would help people to understand the structures and mechanisms of governance in Belize. And thereby be knowledgeable and positioned to participate in the whole democratic process.?

The series includes four videos: the Rights of a Child, the Constitution of Belize, Democracy and the Development Process, and Civil Society. And while everyone can learn from the documentaries, SPEAR?s main target is primary school children.

Gustavo Perera
?If we can build with young minds, if we can create that awareness among the children then they will actually grow to expect how their country is to be governed. I think in the long term the results are going to be a lot more fruitful.?

According to Perera, the videos should start airing on local stations in October.

Kendra Griffith reporting for News Five.

Funding for the project was provided by the U.K.’s Department of International Development.