Imaginative and colourful works of art framed the walls of the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library, as some 30 children from over 10 schools across Jamaica gave expression to their thoughts on matters relating to child abuse prevention and protection.

This was the scene of the awards function for the Child Development Agency’s 10th Anniversary Poster Competition held Thursday February 5, 2015 at the Tom Redcam Library.

The competition was opened to children between the ages of 6 and 17, in three age categories — six to eight years; nine to 13 and 14 to 17.

Mishawn Chin-See of Wolmer’s School for girls emerged winners of the 14 to 17 age group; followed by David Salmon of Wolmer’s Boys in second place and Vanessa Jones of St Jago in third place.

In the nine to 13 category, the winner was Annaleise Virtue of Glenmuir High School, while Tyrese Graham of Race Course Primary earned second place, and Ray Thompson of Sydney Pagon High School came in third.

All three places in the six to eight age category went to children from the Clan Clarthy Primary. First prize winner was Tiwana Davis, second prize went to Shaquielle Barrett and third place went to Rasheed Russell. The children’s works will be on display at the library for one week from Thursday, February 5 to Friday, February 13, 2015.

CEO of the Child Development Agency (CDA) Rosalee Gage-Grey, while congratulating the children, explained that the poster competition was initiated as part of the CDA’s 10th Anniversary observance under the theme, “Protecting Children, Transforming Lives, Securing the Future”.

Gage-Grey said that the agency had made significant strides in the 10 years since its establishment, adding that prevention and child protection were a key objective of the Agency’s 10th Anniversary celebrations.

The CEO stated that against this background, the CDA introduced the Circle of Care Family and Community series for which agency officers had travelled the island to share with parents and guardians positive methods of protecting and raising children, while encouraging other members of the society to be vigilant in safeguarding against child abuse.

Other events to raise awareness included the Bless the Children Candlelight Vigil and Concert to mark World Day for the Prevention of Child Abuse, and the Jamaica Fit for Children 5k Run-Walk and push Kart Derby to raise funds for the construction of a Residential Therapeutic Centre for children who have suffered trauma, she said.

She expressed concern about the recent spate of attacks against children, noting that the CDA’s First Responders have been active in the communities where children have been killed to provide counseling support to other children, families and community members.

Member of the CDA Advisory Board Dr Aldrie Henry-Lee who gave the main address, shared with the children about their provision, protection and participation rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Noting that the CDA had an active programme of child participation including the establishment of its Children’s Advisory Panel, Dr Henry-Lee told the children that the CDA’s 10th Anniversary Poster Competition was an example of child participation.

Underscoring that participation was a fundamental right of all citizens, including children, Dr Henry-Lee said that youngsters must participate in both private and public spaces. She added that children can be allowed to take simple decisions about their welfare in the home, schools, churches and other spheres.

“Let nobody tell you that you are to be seen and not heard.. You have a voice like an adult. (Though) your age will determine the kinds of conversations and decisions that you can make,” Dr Henry-Lee said.

The CDA board member, however, reminded the children, that with rights came the responsibility of being respectful in everything they did, encouraging all the children in the audience to stand and repeat the mantra, “when I have an informed opinion, I must be willing to express it in a respectful manner.”

Dr Henry-Lee concluded by encouraging the children “to continue to be creative and to assist in the development of your school, community and country.”

In her remarks, senior director of the Children’s Affairs Division in the Ministry of Youth and Culture Grace-Ann McFarlane, congratulated the children on their creative works, and the CDA for realising the importance of such an initiative like the poster competition by making it a part of their 10th anniversary celebrations.

McFarlane pointed to the Ministry’s effort to promote child participation in keeping with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, pledging the Ministry’s continued support to this principle.

In her remarks, Annaleise Virtue, who gave the response on behalf of the children expressed joy at being part of the poster competition. She thanked the CDA for staging the competition and underscored the importance of everyone working to fulfill the goal of protecting children, transforming, lives and securing the future.

Mishawn Chin-See, who won in the first prize in the 14 to 17 age category said that she entered the competition because she loved art and was interested in child rights.

“I wish all children would get the love and support I get from my parents,” she said, adding, “winning the competition shows I can help to transmit the message of child rights. Also the fact that other children entered the competition show that they too are also interested in the subject matter,” Chin-See said..

While congratulating all the children on their hard work, PR and communications manager of the CDA Prudence Barnes, explained that the participants were asked to create works of art depicting the themes: “My Vision of a Jamaica fit for children is… parents and communities; parents and communities play an important role in protecting the rights of children; capture in art, the CDA tagline, protecting children, transforming lives, securing the future.”

She thanked the judges for their time and expertise in reviewing the entries. The judges included, Donnette Zacca of the Edna Manley College of the Visual Performing Arts and the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission; Marvel Gordon and Shaniqueka Allman of the Ministry of Youth and Culture; Rushay Ximinies, outgoing member of the CDA’s Children’s Advisory Panel, and George Bowes and Prudence Barnes of the Child Development Agency (CDA).

CDA 10th Anniversary Committee Chair Michelle McIntosh joined Gage-Grey; Mrs. McFarlane and Dr Henry-Lee in handing out the prizes.

Children were awarded prizes such as a laptop, tablets, smartphones, and gift certificates from Sangster’s Bookstore. Other sponsors included LIME, GraceKennedy Currency Services and Palace Amusement. All the children who participated were given CDA 10th anniversary gift bags, and the CDA 10th Anniversary Anthem Jamaica Fit for Children video was played.

Cultural items were performed by Jasmine Barnes and the Allman Town Primary, while Pastor Dwayne Gordon blessed the proceedings, and CDATeam Leader for the Western Region Eric Vassell chaired the function.