CONFERENCE TOPICS

Juvenile Justice

Describe challenges and innovations regarding child appropriate justice, including processes for the management of court proceedings involving child victims and/or witnesses to prevent the violations of the rights of children and to respect their unique vulnerabilities. Define current investigative practices of law enforcement responding to situations involving child victims who must report matters to them.  Recommend ways to equip judicial systems and law enforcement professionals to meet the unique needs of children in conflict with the law and children with disabilities who must interface with the justice sector.  Examine the emergence of adoption and surrogacy in the Caribbean in the absence of surrogacy laws.  Explore the broad applicability of justice for children in these unique circumstances and how such cases are processed from a child rights perspective.

Innovative Therapy and Support

Share proven psycho-social strategies used by psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, parenting experts and survivors to build resilience move toward recovery. Recommend play and/or art therapy, music, life coaching and other strategies and interventions for assisting children experiencing abuse and neglect such as street children, children within high-conflict divorce and children navigating loss and grief.

Human Trafficking and Sex Tourism

Describe the landscape of child trafficking and sex tourism within the Caribbean, including forms of abuse, pervasiveness, impact and strategies to remedy the problem.  Utilize unique perspectives and case studies to highlight success recognizing, preventing and treating the adverse effects of child trafficking and sex tourism.

Public Health Prevention Campaigns

Discuss public education, messaging and social media campaigns and strategies designed to promote healthy practices to positively impact children within the Caribbean.

Impact of Child Abuse and Violence on Development

Identify adverse childhood experiences such as corporal punishment, bullying and gang violence occurring within homes, schools and communities within the Caribbean and around the world.  Describe the impact on development through adulthood and present viable solutions for prevention, response and treatment.

Systems of Professionalism and Accountability within the Child Protection Sector

Present effective accountability policy and practice for professionals in the child protection sector.   Describe how these systems implement checks and balance, maintain viability and overcome challenges to ensure children are properly protected, nurtured and treated.

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS