Category: Belize 2015
UNICEF Belize: TIME OUT – Ending Violence Against Children in Belize
Last month, UNICEF Belize launched the National C4D & Communication Strategy to End Violence Against Children in Belize, TIME OUT, along with the new PSA Videos that are being aired at National TV. The event was well attended by the media and UNICEF partners, and the discussion that followed gave added insights as to how the country will continue advocating, listening, and working together to End Violence Against Children in the Belize.
LAUNCHING EVENT
THE STRATEGY
The strategy stretches over at least 2 years – and it is important to point out that “TIME OUT” isn’t just a “communication campaign” – it’s an initiative using mainly Communication for Development approaches, aimed at inspiring behavioural change and affecting attitudes towards violence over the long term. C4D is based on listening to communities and creating dialogue on the issues that affect them in order to find out why certain damaging behaviours are in place and how we can work together to find alternatives.
One of the cornerstones of the strategy will be the establishment of a baseline on the situation of violence against children through a nationwide KAPB survey (Knowledge, Attitudes, Perceptions and Behaviours). UNICEF has travelled across the country and met with more than 130 children conducting focus group sessions including theatre and other activities, to find out if and how they are affected by violence in their communities.
The strategy is based on the cooperation with our partners, and also incorporates community level initiatives such as training of teachers on positive discipline, parental training and strengthening of the child justice system.
COMMUNICATION & PUBLIC INFORMATION COMPONENT
Along with all of these C4D initiatives – TIME OUT also has a classic communication and public information component including posters, videos and other visibility items such as wristbands.
We are using the common concept of TIME OUT. However, the message today is not for children, it’s for adults – to take a TIME OUT and think – before using violent methods and teaching our children that these are acceptable/normal – and instead choose to use alternative methods to communicate and solve conflict.
“Basing our relationships on Understanding, Respect and Love.”
Through community consultations, we have learnt that one of the biggest challenges for parents is that while they don’t deem it necessary to use violence and negative discipline – they don’t know any other alternative. We are trying to inform about these alternatives, and strengthen parents in their confidence that a positive approach is possible.
The content of the videos has been inspired by the inputs collected from children across the country and there five videos on the five types of violence will be rolled out on a monthly basis:
– Verbal Violence
– Physical Violence
– Gang Violence
– Neglect
– Sexual Abuse
The videos are embracing the cultural diversity of Belize, and are acted by normal people – “maybe even your next door neighbour.” One of the main points that we learnt from the children and want to communicate is that – VIOLENCE HAPPENS EVERYWHERE in BELIZE, across all social, geographical and cultural borders in the country. It’s hidden in plain sight and it’s thus everybody’s business to address violence.
The videos will be aired on most of the media channels in the country, and will be added to this article as they are released to the public.
Saying farewell to Sarah
The problem with small cities and even smaller expat communities is that people tend to leave a lot. Often, when you meet the nicest of people, they already have a ticket out. (I’m not going to claim I haven’t been guilty of leaving, too. Sorry, all.)
Sarah is one of the people I wish I had gotten to hang out more with, although I’m sure we will meet somewhere else on the planet – unless she comes to visit us before I leave Belize which is very possible considering how cold London is now.. Hurry, hurry back, we have palm trees! :)
We attended a small farewell party as well as an official reception to say good bye to Sarah – she will be dearly missed not only by friends but also by the many people she worked with here in the country.
Good bye and good luck, Sarah!
Right, and then Lu-C and I took some elevator selfies..
Dinners, chocolate and messy kitchens
Luc spent almost two months here after we came back from New Year’s in Mexico. Apart from what I’ve already shared of our adventures, he ventured off into an entire world of culinary experiments. Including a chocolate strawberry-heart cake for Valentine’s, and an absolutely mind blowing chocolate mousse layered mint dark chocolate cake with mango sauce for my birthday.. plus a wide selection of other forms of chocolate.
There were breakfasts in bed with funny-face-pancakes, portobello mushroom fun, wine wine champagne, and the occasional movie-watching-snack overload.
The result? Kitchen got messy and girl got her lady parts back. Haha!
First Ever Belize Electronic Music Weekend – The official launch of an EDM era in Belize!
The first ever Belize Electronic Music Weekend was a great success in many ways, with international DJ’s, happy positive people, breath taking venues and – most importantly and not often heard of here – really good audiovisual gear – equaling CRISP and well-balanced sound, and nice visuals! The weekend was three full days of new friends, great tunes, dancing and hanging out. And I can’t wait for more to come.
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Belize Ocean Club welcomed us with great service, rum cocktails and a beautiful suite that David, Natasha, Luc and myself would be staying in. We headed straight to the beach and had a quick evening swim before having a nap and heading to the Maya Beach Hotel Bistro where we had a VERY good dinner, and then to the lagoon side of the hotel to check out the party. The venue was perfect. With a dock going into the lagoon, all beautifully lit up, open air, and even a little hangout place with a fireplace. We spent the night chatting away, dancing and meeting new people, and the last couple of hours until sunrise in a ring around the fireplace. The best thing about the party was undeniably the mix of people. The mix of ages, the mix of backgrounds, the mix of interests. People from the most random corners of the world, many of whom were complete hippies in their minds yet proper responsible adults in practice. People with a past, a present and a future, stories to tell and an open and welcoming mindset. We felt so much at home in the conversations it felt like it was all just a very big and well organized house party with good friends and some new exciting people. Just the way you want your electronic music party to feel, right? Perfect!
On the second day we woke up late, hung out for a while by the pool, and headed in to Placencia town for the sunset party at Tipsy Tuna. Again, we danced, chatted, and hung out. The party ended a bit earlier which was nice as we were completely dead after the night before. Sunday was a different thing. We headed straight to the pool where the pool chill sessions kicked in at noon, with the same friends, warming sun, live electronic beats and colourful cocktails – we stayed for as long as we could before having to drive back to Belize. And the weekend was complete.
A big thanks to all our new friends, and especially to Anna and Marcus Perigo from Sisimito Records who arranged the weekend, invited us, and were being great hosts throughout. On our way out from Belize Ocean Club, I spotted Anna and thanked for the weekend. “Can’t wait for next year’s party!” I said as I gave her a hug. “Oh, no no no.. you won’t have to wait that long – after this success we’ll make sure to arrange events like this more often!” she responded. Which sounds absolutely perfect. This is the beginning of an Electronic Dance Music era in Belize, and I’m VERY happy to be here just now.
Just call us and we’ll be there!
Now – enjoy the photos – and don’t miss the video!
(The following three photos were taken by Leonardo Meléndez)
(Photo above by Leonardo Meléndez)
