PATRON of the National Child Month Committee (NCMC), Douglas Orane, has said that adults should be mindful of their moral responsibility for the healthy development of the children.

Orane noted that because children are still developing, they are especially vulnerable to poor living conditions such as poverty, inadequate health care, nutrition, safe water and housing.

“And it falls to the more mature and able, to protect and nurture them,” he said in a speech read Friday (November 4) by senior general manager, GK Foods and Beverages Limited, Gilroy Graham, at the NCMC’s annual Youth Forum, at the St Andrew Parish Church Hall, Ellesmere Road, Kingston.

He noted that nurturing children was crucial, as their earliest experiences significantly influence their future development and determines their contribution or cost to the nation, over the course of their lives.

“A child who is fed and educated can grow up to defend self and family, can become an economic producer and can advocate for his or her own rights. A child in desperate need, and without hope, is more easily exploited,” he cautioned.

Orane said that as the future belongs to the children, the foundation for their development has to be built now.

“We must never forget that our children are the most important natural resource the nation has. We must prepare them for the future. In this regard, one of our top priorities should be to give them a good education and good health care,” he said.

Noting that young people have a responsibility for themselves and younger citizens, as well, the NCMC Patron praised the work of the Jamaica Youth Advocacy Network for realising this duty. The Network is a youth-led initiative that works to develop youth leaders in the areas of advocacy, public education and capacity building.

He told the young audience that it was not too early for them to recognise their responsibility to the children.

“It calls for you to set good examples in your behaviour… it may call for you to help a younger child who is struggling with a particular subject at school, or to be a mentor… It may mean just sitting with a lonely child and letting him or her know that somebody cares,” he said.

Orane congratulated the committee on their sustained efforts to remind Jamaica of the needs of the children, and society’s responsibility to them.

Chairman of the committee, Dr Pauline Mullings, said that the Forum was part of the NCMC’s extended Child Month activities, which started in May (Child Month).

She said the youth forum presented an opportunity to air the views of young people on children’s rights and responsibilities, and the responsibility of parents, schools and communities for the welfare of children.

Held under the theme, ‘Our World… Their Future… Our Responsibility’, the Forum was a day-long interactive event, which saw students participating in both oral and cultural presentations on various topics.

Participating schools were: Ardenne High, Clan Carthy High, Kingston High, Salvation Army School for the Blind, Denham Town High and Holy Childhood High. The main sponsors were GraceKennedy and LIME.