~Awareness campaign to focus on Education~
PHILIPSBURG – The Department of Youth Affairs has launched its official annual awareness campaign in commemoration of the International Day of the Rights of the Child, which will be observed on November 20.
The awareness campaign, which has been executed for 12 years consecutively, is a collaborative effort of the Department of Youth Affairs, the Department of Sports, UNESCO, the Collectivité of St. Martin, schools and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) as they strive to bring awareness to children, parents, and the community in general about the rights of children.
The theme for this year’s campaign will focus on education and will be spearheaded under the slogan: “Educate Me Right So My Future is Bright.” This theme, which addresses articles 28 and 29, of the Convention of the Rights of the Child was selected to raise awareness on children’s rights to education. This entails not only educating a child on an academic level, but also on a social level by instilling proper morals, norms and values in a child, which will result in a stronger society.
This year’s calendar of events will see activities hosted by various stakeholders and starts today, Tuesday, November 15, with a Kids Poetry Evening at SOIL on L.B. Scot Rd. This event will be hosted by Foresee Foundation and Poetic Lounge and will be from 6:00pm to 8:00pm with free admission.
The official commemoration ceremony will be hosted by the Collectivité of St. Martin in Marigot on Monday, November 21.
Other activities include the SMOYA Awards hosted by the St. Maarten Youth Council on November 19, at the Belair Community Center, a presentation made by members of the Youth Parliament on November 25, which will be aired live from 3:00pm to 4:00pm, the Rights of the Child annual Sports Day hosted by the Collectivité of St. Martin on Saturday, November 26, a fundraising bike-a-thon hosted by the Sharks Swim Team on December 3, a movie night hosted by St. Maarten Promoting Young Ambassadors on December 9, and a Rights of the Child Christmas Party hosted by the Department of Youth Affairs in collaboration with businesses of the private sector on December 11.
The Department of Youth encourages the general public to participate in the activities organized by the various stakeholders. The Calendar of Events can be found on the Department of Youth Affairs Facebook page (St. Maarten Youth Affairs), and printed copies will be made available to the general public.
Persons seeking more information on the upcoming activities can contact the Department of Youth Affairs at telephone 542-2056 or by send an email to youthaffairs@sintmaartengov.org.
