Conscious Youth Development Programme (CYDP)

Ministry of Human Development, Social Transformation and Poverty

Alleviation

United Nation's
Development
Programme
United States
Ministry of
Embassy Central
Education and
American Regional
Youth ( 1st
Security Initiative
supporter) 1995
(CARSI)

Conscious
Ministry of Human Youth
Devleopment, Social
Transformation and Poverty
Development RESTORE Belize
Allevation (Community Programme
Rehabiltation Department) (CYDP)

Partners in funding 1

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 Conscious Youth Development Programme (CYDP)

Introduction:
CYDP has a long history starting from 1995 it main office is Located at the Ministry of Education & Youth
Building located on North Front Street. Ms. Marinette Westby is the current Director and mentioned
that from its inception the CYDP has change the focus of the programme to evolve with the problems
that have aroused.

Rational:
The Conscious Youth Development Program (CYDP) is a government entity introduced as part of the
government’s programmatic effort to assist in the reduction of gangs, crime and violence. The CYDP is
mandated to conduct field research, resolve conflicts within communities, create opportunities for fast
employment recognition (OFFER), carry out social impact programs, conduct assessments, and facilitate
weekend programs for employed youths. The opportunities are described but not limited to counselling,
educational trips, sporting activities, educational sessions, and mentoring system. Activities vary from
one day in length to a year’s time depending on the activity.

This preventions proposals is centered on the following priority areas and focus: a) promoting family
cohesiveness, b) increasing access to education, c) preparing youth for employment, d) providing
healthcare, e) creating opportunities for inclusion, participation and recreation, f) celebrating culture
and diversity, and g) strengthening community.

Participants:
CYDP focus is on youths that are identified as most “at risk” for involvement in violence, including
institutionalized youths; high-school drop outs, members of youth gangs (male and female), youths who
were convicted for involvement in violent crimes, and youths who are residents of volatile and highly
violent neighborhoods.

Problems:
As reported in the 2010 Assessment of Juvenile Justice in Belize done by The American Bar Association “
there is a systemic lack of resources available to all actors involved in juvenile justice leads to insufficient
personnel, lack of facilities, poor services, and inefficient operational activities.” “The Conscious Youth
Development Programme (CYDP) has some mediation programs. Some police officers are trained to talk
to parents. Some even go to schools to try to connect with youth. These initiatives are absolutely
necessary, but they are not systematic. Many times their implementation depends on the mood and
ability of the superior officer in charge. Systematic protocols preferring diversion whenever possible
must be established and police must receive specific training on the protocols.”

The inter-gang conflict of the 2015 March Spree hit Belize and Belize City hard. The
notorious George Street gang partnered with the MS13 to restart a brutal turf war that
quickly embroiled the entire city. The United Democratic Party (UDP) administration of Dean
Barrow continued to push their Conscious Youth Development Program (CYDP) however, it
quickly became apparent that the community-based passive approach was ineffective and
the Gang Suppression Unit under the leadership of Marco Vidal was given greater power on
the streets

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 Conscious Youth Development Programme (CYDP)

References
ASSESSMENT OF JUVENILE JUSTICE IN BELIZE. (2010, Novemeber). Retrieved from American Bar
Association:
https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/directories/roli/belize/belize_assessment_of_j
uvenile_justice_11_10_eng.authcheckdam.pdf

Headline News. (1998, January 15). Retrieved from You Better Belize it:
http://www.belizeit.com/news/980115.htm

Meeting of Consultaion of Ministires of Foreign Affairs. (2015, March). Retrieved from MCMFA-2019:
http://mcmfa2019.wikidot.com/belize

NUÑEZ, D. (2012, January 3). Belize Targets “At Risk” Youth With Anti-Gang Program. Ambergis Today,
pp. 2-4.

Organogram. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ministry of Human Development, Socail Transformation and Poverty
Allevation: http://humandevelopment.gov.bz/index.php/about-us/organogram/

Youth involved crime & prevention. (n.d.). Retrieved from Crimeobservatory.bz:

http://crimeobservatory.bz/images/pdf/National_pub_pol2.pdf

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