New youth leaders encouraged to build resilience as they direct affairs
Published:Friday | May 5, 2023 | 1:47 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
A new cohort of young leaders to serve on the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) Children's Advisory Panel (CAP) have been officially installed.
The 20-member panel of individuals – aged 18 years and under – will serve as the fifth cohort of the CAP. They were nominated by child-centred organisations, including the Women's Centre Foundation of Jamaica, the CPFSA, and various uniformed groups. Members of the panel elected peers to the posts of chairman, deputy chairman, secretary, assistant secretary and public relations officer.
In an appreciation and handover ceremony held at Alhambra Inn in April, outgoing chair of the panel, Jessica Russell, passed the baton to incoming chair, Afaya Pollack.
Established in July 2012 and officially launched in July of the same year, each cohort serves for a maximum of two terms with each term being two years.
The purpose of the CPFSA's CAP is to discuss ongoing and emerging issues that affect children and their families at the community and national levels, as well as to provide child-friendly guidance on all aspects of the agency's decision-making process.
This helps to ensure that the most appropriate policy and executing framework are in place for the best interests of children. Among other roles, it provides advice and assists the CPFSA's management team on national policies that affect children, planning and budgeting for children, programme design and development, review and evaluation of international and national initiatives, and on new and emerging issues of interest to children. It also works with the CPFSA to plan and host conferences and to develop materials to share with children.
In her remarks, Pollack stated said she was “really excited” to work with her team as they have already grown to love each other.
She assured stakeholders that she would work in supporting and embracing their ideas and thoughts on the various issues that will be discussed once work gets in full gear.
GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY
Russell, who began her tenure as chair of the panel in March 2020, said that despite being constrained by the COVID-19 restrictions, this did not affect the outcome of the team's advocacy. Instead, she said, the members used this “golden opportunity” to tackle the noticeable increase of mental health challenges, which affected many Jamaicans, including children.
“This gave us the chance to brainstorm together and to come up with ideas to gather information about some of these issues and then highlight them to those that would listen on behalf of those children,” she said.
She noted that it was a “rewarding” experience serving on the panel.
“To the next generation of CAP members, there will be lots of fun to have and I know that each of you will become members of the family and grow together as a team,” she said.
Youth advocate Sujae Boswell, who is a member of the Constitutional Reform Committee and a former president of the Guild of Students at The University of the West Indies, Mona, was the guest speaker at the event. He encouraged the young leaders to build their resilience.
He stated that despite being unable to change the times when they might experience failure and times of difficulties, such experiences would serve as a means to help them grow and develop as an individual.
“Resilience is a crucial step in becoming a positive role model. You will face challenges that are going to test your strength, your courage and your character, but with resilience, you can be sure that you will overcome any challenge that may come in your way,” he said.
Boswell said the youngsters should lead using the acronym D.I.R.E.C.T – decisiveness, integrity, reliability, enthusiasm, consistency, and transparency – which he also employs through his daily life.
BE PASSIONATE
He further urged them to be passionate in serving and executing their duties as this was what would motivate them “to go the extra mile, work harder and to be better than [they] were yesterday”.
Boswell added that a good role model should possess great listening skills as this will aid them in understanding the children's perspectives and feelings.
“By being able to listen with empathy, you'll build trust and create open channels of communication with those around you. With this kind of approach, you'll be able to build positive relationships and inspire others to also listen and to respect one another,” he said.
He urged the young leaders to “stay current” with the issues happening in society at the local and national level while also being knowledgeable of global issues as this will aid in identifying ways to make meaningful changes.
“I would like to remind you that you are not defined from your circumstances or your ability to achieve your dreams and full potential. You are all incredibly talented and capable of creating an impact on the world, you just need to believe in yourself, stay focus on your goals and remain resilient no matter how difficult the road gets,” he encouraged them.