THE Ministry of Youth Development and Sports partnered with UK Sport, Youth Sport Trust and Caribbean Sport and Development Agency Thursday to stage a “Safeguarding and Child Protection in Sports” symposium for physical education teachers, coaches and other sports affiliates.
Addressing the gathering, Minister for Youth and Sports Shawn Edward encouraged the participants to honour their duties to the children of St. Lucia and sports development. He noted that sports not only serves as an avenue for fitness and career opportunity, but also provides a safe haven for many children from their daily struggles; therefore safe environments should be provided for them.
Edward and the Director of Human Services, Elizabeth Lewis urged participants to safeguard the welfare of children, especially those left in their care.
Through its schools sports programme, the Ministry of Youth Development and Sports reaches an estimated 50,000 children island wide. It is against this backdrop, “Safeguarding as an emerging international practice” is high on the agenda of the Ministry’s programming.
The symposium aims to create greater awareness and advocacy in safeguarding for persons engaged in sports activities for children.