ECPAT Update 2009

In Belize, tremendous efforts have been invested by many agencies to sensitize the public and train specific target groups about prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children and prevention of trafficking in persons. Evidence of this can be seen this year in numerous television and radio messages, posters, training programmes (see Trafficking photo below) and in successful apprehension of perpetrators (see news articles below).

The Belize Tourism industry Association (BTIA) and ECPAT moved to completion of Phase III working with the membership of the BTIA for increasing awareness of the Child Protection Code, training, monitoring and adding new signatories to this code.

On August 31, 2009 ECPAT Regional Director, Mrs. Amaya Renobales met in Belize City with BTIA's new Executive Director, Mrs. Daedra Haylock, NOPCAN's Executive Director Mr. Denbigh Yorke and Maria Vega, BTIA's The Code trainer. Mrs. Renobales was updated on the activities so far including the recent training workshop in Hopkins, the monitoring efforts and the challenges faced up to that point. For her part, Mrs.Renobales also informed of changes reference "The Code" - the name change to The Child Protection Code and the fees now in place for new signatories. Also discussed was the continuity of the programme within BTIA at the end of ECPAT project funding. Mrs. Haylock suggested the possibility of signatory status being linked to local incentives.

In the latter part of the year, BTIA conducted workshops in Hopkins in August, in Placencia and Corozal in November and a brief meeting discussion on Caye Caulker also in November and mention of The Code on the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting in December. Total participants present in these events was in excess of two hundred. BTIA effects ongoing sensitization through news alerts, emails, website communications and the distribution of stickers to members and the industry.

BTIA also met with the Belize Tourism Board to discuss the possibility of including The Code training in the current tour guide training curriculum. New applicants to become signatories to The Child Protection Code are Hidden Valley Inn, Casablanca Hotel by the Sea and Chamberlain Consulting.