A senior government official is calling for the introduction of a national charter on child rearing in Barbados.
Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office, Rev. Joseph Atherley, made this appeal today during a press briefing to announce plans for the observance of the International Day of Peace on September 21.
Noting that there were some cultures that had established a model for child rearing, he said this country should be looking to introduce ‘the Barbadian way of rearing children’.
He explained that “the characteristics and composition of families have changed…with some positives but also negative implications as well…Like the disappearance of the extended family and values of the past that we have lost…”
Referring to the United Nation’s Development Programme’s (UNDP) Charter on Children’s Rights, Rev. Atherley said that this was ‘good, but not sufficient’ and ‘there are things we can do to re-create a culture of good child rearing’.
International Day of Peace will be observed on Friday, September 21, and a number of activities have been proposed by Peace Ambassador, Adisa “AJA” Andwele. These include the observance of a minute’s silence at mid-day, the opening of all churches from 6.00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and a request that all persons should wear white on that day. Schools will also be asked to focus on activities pertaining to peace.
In addition, “AJA” is urging government departments, business houses and social organisations to create their own activities to mark the day.