Children Across Guyana to Shape New National Children’s Manifesto
Voices of 200 children and young people to guide policies that better protect and empower every child
GEORGETOWN, Guyana, November 25, 2025: Nearly 200 children and young people from across Guyana came together on Monday at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre to participate in a landmark engagement aimed at strengthening the fulfillment of children’s rights nationwide. The event held in observance of World Children’s Day 2025 provided a safe platform for children to highlight their concerns, share lived experiences and propose solutions to issues affecting their well-being.
Organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Human Services and Social Security and the Rights of the Child Commission, the event brought together students from primary and secondary schools, children from residential care facilities, youths with visual impairments, and UNICEF Youth Advocates.
In a heartfelt keynote address, 9-year-old Caelee Alexander of Winfer Gardens Primary School reflected on her own experience enjoying her rights, while emphasizing that many of her peers do not have the same opportunities.
“Some of us get to go to school, play with our friends, and dream big dreams. But for some children, every day is a little harder and that’s why we are here today,” she said.
She stressed the importance of meaningful participation, “Children have the right to feel safe, to be protected, to be heard, and to have a voice in what affects us. We may be young, but we see things, we feel things, and we have ideas to make our communities better,” the 9-year-old said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Human Services and Social Security, Hon. Dr. Vindhya Persaud, encouraged the children to share openly, noting that their contributions will form the foundation of a Children’s Manifesto, a national policy document aimed at ensuring better services, protection, and opportunities for every child in Guyana.
Participants at the event also benefitted from a series of cultural presentations on child rights scenarios by the National Drama Company, which brought key issues to life through powerful storytelling and performance.
Children also participated in dynamic children circle discussions facilitated by UNICEF specialists and Youth Advocates. They identified challenges related to safety, bullying, mental health, education, accessibility, climate change, and community support and proposed tangible solutions. These insights were later shared directly with senior government officials during a panel discussion.
Key government representatives included Dr. Sarah Hack, Deputy Director of Primary Healthcare, Ministry of Health, Ms. Pradeepa Bholanath, Environmental Economist and Climate Policy Specialist and Mrs. Mischka White-Griffith, Chief Planning Officer, Ministry of Education. The panelists welcomed the children’s perspectives stating, “It takes you informing us of issues and us taking that information and acting on it. It’s a two-way street,” said Ms. Bholanath. “We need to do more for you. When you point out an issue, it becomes easier for us to solve it,” added Dr. Hack.
UNICEF Representative for Guyana and Suriname (a.i.) Mr. Gabriel Vockel assured the children that their voices matter and will continue to shape UNICEF’s work.
“UNICEF stands with every child in this room and every child across Guyana. We will continue working with government, civil society, communities, and families to ensure every child grows up safe, healthy, educated, and included,” Vockel said.
Children expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be heard and said they look forward to the continued engagement and the development of the Children’s Manifesto, which will reflect their perspectives and recommendations.
Also attending the event were Ms. Aleema Nasir, Chairperson of the Rights of the Child Commission, along with Commissioners, representatives from the High Commission of Canada, educators, parents, caregivers, and the Director of the Childcare and Protection Agency.
Celebrated every November 20, World Children’s Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. It is UNICEF’s flagship global advocacy day, highlighting critical issues affecting children and promoting children’s participation as leaders and champions for their rights.
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For more information about UNICEF and its work for children, visit www.unicef.org.
