News Releases

Bridging the Gaps in Child Protection: Legal, Educational, and Community Approaches

For Release Upon Receipt - December 5, 2024

St. Augustine


 

ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago. December 5, 2024 – A Round Table discussion on the gaps in child protection brought together judges and key stakeholders to explore and address critical gaps in Trinidad and Tobago. Hosted in partnership with the Judiciary of Trinidad and Tobago and the Faculty of Social Sciences of The University of the West Indies, the panel discussion sought to foster dialogue and propose actionable steps to enhance the effectiveness of child protection mechanisms.

 Discussions focused on the judiciary's role in identifying, addressing, and bridging gaps in child protection systems. The Round Table emphasized the importance of collaboration across legal, educational, social, and community sectors. Topics covered Judicial Insights into Gaps in Child Protection, Navigating Legal Frameworks and Overcoming Challenges in Child Protection; Judicial Collaboration with Institutions to Strengthen Child Protection through Multi-Disciplinary Partnership; Children in conflict with the law: Promoting and understanding child-centred Justice Approach. 

 Justice Sharon Gibson served as Moderator for the Round Table. Panellists included Drs Camille Huggins, Katija Khan, Christine Descartes, all lecturers from the Department of Behavioural Sciences, within The UWI. Representing the Judiciary were Hon. Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds, Hon. Justice Jade Rodriguez and Master Sydelle Johnson–all of the High court.

 In her welcome, Hon. Justice Gillian Lucky, Chairman of the Judicial Education Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (JEITT), stated that “we are here to tackle something that is not just a legal challenge, but a community mission—child protection. This is not just some legal jargon; it is about the future of our society. Our young ones, who are often left vulnerable…need our hearts, our minds, and our actions to create a world where they feel safe, nurtured, and given the opportunity to shine.” In sharing the intentions of the panel discussion, the Hon. Justice Lucky also noted that “this seminar [represents] our chance to share insights and action real solutions that will elevate our efforts towards national growth and development”.

 Dean Dr. Acolla Lewis- Cameron situated the “partnership with the JEITT [as] one of the ways in which the Faculty of Social Sciences (FSS) engages with our stakeholders to address areas of societal concern”. She reiterated that it is “through our collaboration with the JEITT, we …[engage in] joint initiatives in the areas of professional development programmes, training and public education, and other areas that are of mutual interest to the parties and for the benefit of Trinidad and Tobago”. In this sense, this type of collaboration represents “an opportunity for academic and industry partners to exchange knowledge, catalyze new research, and build practical pathways to address societal issues.”

 Head of Department for Behavioural Sciences, Dr Talia Esnard, closed with a vote of thanks but also a call to action. She stressed on the need for more “sustained and meaningful dialogue where tangible outcomes can be realized.” In this vein, a shared summary report, the development of strategic research agendas and policy briefs, represent key outcomes to emerge from this discussion.   

 For further information, contact Dr Talia Esnard (HOD) | talia.esnard@sta.uwi.edu  

End

 

[L-R] Dean Dr. Acolla Lewis- Cameron, Dr. Camille Huggins – Lecturer Social Work, Dr. Christine Descartes – Lecturer, Psychology, Master Sydelle Johnson – High Court, Master Carl Quamina, Hon. Justice Gillian Lucky, Chairman of the Judicial Education Institute of Trinidad and Tobago (JEITT), The Honourable the Chief Justice, Mr Justice Ivor Archie O.R.T.T, The Honourable Mme. Justice Lisa Ramsumair-Hinds – High Court, The Honourable Mme. Justice Sharon Gibson, The Honourable Mme. Justice Jade Rodriguez – High Court, The Honourable Mr. Justice Trevor Jones, Dr. Katija Khan – Lecturer, Psychology, Head of Department for Behavioural Sciences, Dr Talia Esnard and Deputy Principal Professor Derek Chadee. Photo from the JEITT.   

 About The University of the West Indies

 The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu

 

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