Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by the author(s) do not represent the official position of Barbados TODAY.
The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, a compendium of terms and constructs used in implementation research, defines change agents as: “Individuals who formally influence or facilitate intervention decisions in a desirable direction”. It is within this framework that The Caribbean Voice (TCV) is launching Project Change Agents (PCA) to specifically address domestic violence and violence in general in the Caribbean.
The project aims to involve schools, ministries of education, the media and other stakeholders in a process that will hopefully result in the identification and training of young people to become anti-violence change agents in communities across the English-speaking Caribbean (the 17 nations). , with a particular focus on domestic violence, but also skill sets to address sexual abuse, child abuse and hopefully substance abuse.
At the heart of the project is an essay contest on the topic What would you do to eliminate domestic violence? for students in grades four to six (ages 15 to 18) in all English-speaking Caribbean countries during the 2023/24 school year.
However, the plan is to secure the support of the Ministries of Education in these countries regarding the inclusion of domestic violence in the curricula for the 2023/24 school year, enabling students to engage in research, including primary research within their communities.
This will provide awareness and information that they will use to write their essays during the 2023/24 school year.
TCV will offer prizes to regional winners as follows:
First prize: USD 3,000 plus a certificate and plaque
Second prize: USD 2000 plus a certificate and plaque
Third prize: USD 1,000 plus a certificate and plaque
TCV also hopes that the top three finishers in each nation will be awarded prizes and to that end have organized a fundraising Virtual Concert of Hope, another in the ongoing series of such concerts that bring performers from across the Caribbean and Diaspora to showcase the diversity of Caribbean cultural output.
This concert is set for Saturday November 26th from 6-9pm (New York time) and will be streamed live on Facebook. People are encouraged to join TCV’s FB page at https://www.facebook.com/groups/245209622345879 and celebrate this cultural feast while, if possible, make a donation to the Change Agent the project.
This concert has a lineup of 33 performers and four hosts with new items such as Limbo, Masquerade and Amerindian dances, along with items from previous concerts such as steel pan, Chinese dance and a host of chutneys, Bollywood Oldies, reggae, soca, R&B, spoken word shows, tassa drums, African drums, folk songs and so on. Among the stars performing are:
• Dominican star Li Li Octave.
• Chutney sensations in Trinidad & Tobago, Kenneth Sallick, Natty Ramotar and Anthony Batson.
• Guyanese stars Terry Gajraj, Roger Hinds and Satish Udairam.
• Activist for social and women’s empowerment, writer and spoken word artist Taij Moteelall.
• International dancer Zaman along with Golden Youth Dance Troupe Om Dharmic and Shivani Sharma from USA.
• Barbadian-born steel pan virtuoso Terry ‘Mexican’ Arthur,
• Jamaican folk singers, internationally known
• Guyanese American exemplars of Bollywood tunes, Son Son Sonipersaud and Dev Persaud.
The Caribbean Voice is committed to suicide and abuse prevention in the Caribbean and Diaspora and uses a range of free services and initiatives including research and information dissemination through a website and eight social media accounts, awareness raising, prevention training, counseling , advocacy, networking and collaboration. building, online panel discussions, contacts and a quarterly online magazine.
In addition to Project Change Agents, TCV is also organizing the relaunch of the global Caribbean Voice Awards in the form of a gala that also includes a cultural component and a banquet.
To mark the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 to December 10), TCV is hosting a virtual workshop on youth violence prevention on December 3, 1 to 3 p.m. of New York City.
The workshop will be presented by US-based NGO Proverb Peace, led by life-transforming strategist and empowerment coach Dr. Brenetia Adams-Robinson. Those interested in participating should send an email to [email protected] or what is the app 646-461-0574. Also,
Also, on December 9, 6-8 p.m., TCV will also hold a Virtual Panel Discussion (PD) on Safety and Resilience for Victims and Survivors. Panelists are invited to participate in this DP. Please contact TCV by email ([email protected]) or mobile app/what’s up at 646-461-0574 to confirm attendance.
– Another Boodram
Read our email. Quickly. Factual. Free.
Sign up and stay up to date with Barbados’ free latest news.
