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The Mayor was not in the city to address the press today. He was in Hopkins village at a Mayor’s Association retreat.  They were there to learn about an review the child friendly initiative - which is to make municipal governance more inclusive. Minister of State for Local Government Dr. Carla Barnett told the government press office more:…

Hon. Dr. Carla Barnett - Minister of State, Local Government
"Well the mayor's retreat is aimed at looking at the implementation of the sustainable and child friendly municipalities’ initiative; it's been an implementation since 2014. Several of the municipalities have been implementing projects and programs under this initiative. They've all established their child advisory board which seeks to involve the children in the design and implementation of projects."

Susan Kasedee - UNICEF Country Representative
"UNICEF has played a role right from the outset in working with the Ministry of Local Government with the mayor's association, NCFC, UNDP and other partners to initiate this particular program in Belize. We introduced it a few years ago and have been working closely with the Ministry of Local government to support the municipalities to engage children and to support children to be part of the process of decision making and planning at the municipal level to ensure that our plans are child sensitive, that we are responsive and supportive of children and their empowerment."

The initiative goes through to 2030.