UNICEF Representative makes first official visit to Grenada

GRENADA – 03 February 2023 - UNICEF has renewed its support for children in Grenada across various areas, including health, education, child protection and social policy.  

UNICEF's Representative for the Eastern Caribbean, Pieter Bult, made the commitments during his first official visit to the island this month. Mr. Bult called on Prime Minister Dikon Mitchell during his visit. He presented his Letter of Accreditation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Export Development, Joseph Andall.  

 

Early Childhood Development, Child Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction were high on the agenda during Mr. Bult’s visit with Prime Minister Mitchell. The areas of mutual priority were discussed in greater detail during a series of meetings with other high-level government officials.  

During a courtesy call with the Minister of State responsible for Youth and Sports, Ron Redhead, Mr. Bult discussed support for an update of Grenada’s National Youth Policy, community programmes and climate resilience were discussed. 

The UNICEF Representative discussed partnerships to strengthen the country’s health systems with the Minister of Health, Wellness and Religious Affairs, Senator Gayton J LaCrette. This area was considered especially relevant after the COVID-19 pandemic as the country seeks to build resilience to future public health outbreaks.  

Another shared priority is the strengthening of child protection systems and supporting legislation. Minister of Social and Community Development, Housing and Gender Affairs, the Phillip Telesford, and Minister of State responsible for Social Development and Gender Affairs, the Gloria A. Thomas met with Mr. Bult to explore this critical area. They discussed a range of programmes and policies to address violence against women and girls through the Spotlight initiative, further support for child abuse reporting, ending physical punishment and removing discrimination for children born out of wedlock.  

Mr. Bult later met with a cadre of senior education officials, including Permanent Secretary Elvis Morain, Chief Education Officer Angella Finlay, and Deputy Chief Education Officer Early Childhood Charmaine Christopher. The UNICEF Representative commended the Ministry of Education for the progress made in Early Childhood Development. They also discussed opportunities for partnership in integrated approaches to the holistic development of children ages 0-8.   

UNICEF

On the second day of his visit, Mr. Bult attended the official handover ceremony of the Mount Horne Child Development Centre to the Government of Grenada. The centre was conceptualised, funded, and constructed with support from UNICEF and India Aid. The facility was established to ensure that dozens of children receive quality, nurturing care in the earliest stages of their lives, regardless of social or economic background.  

Mr. Bult also welcomed opportunities to engage directly with Grenadian children. He visited the Windsor Forest Pre-School, St Theresa’s Catholic School and Westerhall Secondary, conducting reading sessions, class visits and open discussions with children.