The director of the Childcare and Protection Agency was last Saturday presented with an award from the European Union (EU) in honour of her work with the Agency.
At a ceremony which was held at the EU Ambassador’s residence in Bel Air Springs, it was noted that the award serves to recognise Greene for her work over the years in the field of human rights, more specifically, the rights of the child and child protection services.
EU Ambassador Fernando Ponz Canto, noted that the award comes just after the 30th anniversary of the Declaration of the Rights of the Child. He stated that the European Union is highly vocal about the promotion and protection of human rights.
According to Ponz Canto, the Union is always happy to support partners in their works towards protecting human rights. “Whenever we see… that Guyana and the Guyanese are doing things that we consider very important and positive, we are always there to support,” the ambassador said.
Greene, after accepting the accolade, expressed her gratitude and noted that she was honoured to be receiving such an award. The director told the small gathering that child protection services in Guyana are still relatively new and evolving and as such, support from international organisations including the EU have aided tremendously in advancing the services offered to children and families. Greene stated that throughout the years there were several challenges along the way. “As we continue to work towards developing a comprehensive child protection system in Guyana. My agency is preparing to launch the strategic five-year implementation plan for the national alternative care for children,” she said while adding that the initiative is heavily supported by both the EU and UNICEF.
She declared that her vision for the end of the five-year period is that no child should be living in institutions and as such the said institutions will become safe places for children. She explained, “Children will not sleep in the institutions, children will go home to sleep in their own beds with their families but the institutions will remain as a safe place”.
