Assistant Director for the Youth Entrepreneurial Skills Training (YEST) Programme in the Ministry of Culture and Youth and Sport, Davanand Ramdatt recently participated in a US-embassy sponsored exchange on `Children in the U.S. Justice System’.
Ramdatt, who also has direct oversight of the New Opportunity Corps (NOC) says he plans to undertake works aimed at strengthening inter-agency collaboration regarding juvenile justice in Guyana using insights he gained while participating in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) exchange.
Ramdatt participated in the exchange from January 27 to February 14, a release from the US Embassy said.
US Embassy Charges d’Affaires Bryan Hunt recently met with Ramdatt to discuss his experiences during the programme. Ramdatt revealed the insights that he gained with regard to the protection and rehabilitation of youth and discussed how he intends to apply this knowledge to the benefit of the ministry, more particularly, the at-risk youth in the NOC.
During his exchange programme, the release said that Ramdatt and his global counterparts examined international cooperation to combat trafficking in children and child exploitation, including the Hague Convention on international child abduction. Participants were introduced to the US judicial system with special emphasis on the legal structures in place to protect children. They also gained exposure to the juvenile justice system in the United States and had the opportunity to compare best practices in treatment and rehabilitation tailored to the needs of juvenile offenders and their families. This exchange programme was specifically designed for judges, attorneys, social workers and NGO leaders advocating for children’s issues.
Hunt encouraged Ramdatt to build on the many professional linkages made with the US institutions and other IVLP participants from countries across the globe to strengthen his work. The Charge d’Affaires reaffirmed the US Government’s commitment to work with the Guyana Government on issues that are of mutual interest to both countries and contribute to the improved wellbeing of Guyana’s most valuable resources: its people, through capacity building and institutional strengthening.
