CASTRIES, St. Lucia, CMC—The United Nations Youngsters’s Fund (UNICEF) has signed a partnership settlement with the Organisation of Japanese Caribbean States (OECS) that can instantly affect the lives of kids and younger folks throughout the nine-member subregional grouping.
The settlement helps the OECS Human and Social Growth Technique, specializing in key areas aligned with UNICEF and OECS missions. These areas embody youngster safety, social safety, inclusive schooling, youth engagement, and local weather and resilience.
“UNICEF represents one of many best examples of collaboration and partnership between the OECS and a UN Company,” mentioned OECS Director Common Dr. Didacus Jules.
“This partnership is distinct, with energetic discussions and engagement on ideas, concepts, and experiences that enrich each organizations,” he mentioned, noting that the brand new OECS-UNICEF partnership extends to incorporate British Abroad Territories as Related Members.
Jules counseled UNICEF’s steady help in strengthening integration inside the OECS.
UNICEF consultant for the Japanese Caribbean, Pieter Bult, underscored the significance of the shut relationship with the OECS, saying, “Our partnership with the OECS is invaluable.
“We purpose to make the OECS more practical, particularly in areas of joint curiosity, and for our groups to work nearer collectively on planning and implementing initiatives,” Bult mentioned, emphasizing the distinctive challenges dealing with Small Island Creating States (SIDS) within the OECS as one other space precedence.
“Youngsters’s lives can’t be addressed via a sectoral lens. We have to see the collective affect of our interventions to realize actual progress. There’s nonetheless a lot work to do, particularly with rising youngster poverty post-COVID and the necessity to deal with Early childhood schooling. With the OECS’s assist, we hope to make a major distinction,” Bult added.
The OECS mentioned it plans to extend the visibility of UNICEF-funded packages, together with beneficiary testimonials and a documentary highlighting key milestones and successes of the long-standing partnership.
“In all our partnerships, our companions’ flag will fly equally excessive beside ours,” Jules mentioned.
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