Holistic approach needed to address root of crime and violence – Chang
KINGSTON, Jamaica – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Security Dr Horace Chang said a holistic approach is needed to address root causes of crime and violence.
Dr Chang made the observation while addressing a recently concluded three-day retreat organised to review progress being made by the Citizen Security Plan (CSP).
“A holistic approach to citizen security helps to break down the silos between service providers and different ministries, departments and agencies to address some of the root causes of crime and violence,” he said while addressing the retreat.
Chang also reinforced the value of quality data, collected, and analysed, as a basis for institutionalisation and sustainability of social investment.
In her opening address at the retreat, European Union (EU) Ambassador, Her Excellency Marianne Van Steen, noted that “a holistic approach is not the easiest approach, but we are confident it is the most effective and the only way to deal with the many drivers of crime and violence.”
The EU has supported the CSP through budget support and technical assistance.
“We look forward to continuing to support the work of the Government of Jamaica in this area that is so critical,” she added.
Approximately 50 stakeholders from more than 10 ministries, agencies and departments as well as churches and non-governmental organisations involved in the CSP gathered for a retreat to review progress and cement gains of the CSP.
The CSP is the Government of Jamaica’s plan for an integrated and “whole-of-government” approach to addressing and preventing crime and violence. The retreat is the third since the launch of the plan in 2020.
The retreat focused on three strategic areas: The Inter-Ministerial School Support Strategy, Safer Spaces and Training and Employment for At-Risk Youth. Within these areas, participants homed in on strengthening data to feed the CSP’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework tracking 70 indicators across ministries, departments and agencies.
They are also building integrated action plans to close critical gaps in service delivery. Participants are focused on concretising partnerships and uniting to achieve collective impact.
