The National Commission for Families and Children was established as one of those entities that work upstream. While there must be direct services that children must receive (i.e. the “life preservers”) there must also be a body responsible for the overall protection of children and their families (i.e. ensuring as many as is possible not fall in the river in the first place.) While departments and organizations are tasked with the everyday work that must continue to provide both the response to the violation of children’s rights and to also work on preventative approaches, the NCFC functions as a special advocate with policy and monitoring and evaluation responsibilities. It monitors the long term strategies that must be implemented to improve the lives of children and their families.
What is the purpose of the NCFC?
National Commission for Families and Children (NCFC) was launched in 1994 as the major advisory body to the government on family and children’s issues. It was established in recognition of the International Year of the Family. This commission succeeded the National Coordination Committee for Children, which was established in 1992. In 1999, a Statutory Instrument was passed which gave the NCFC legal status and outlined its terms of reference as follows:
- Promote, monitor and evaluate the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), and ensure that the government meets its national and international obligations as a party to the Convention.
- Promote, monitor, and evaluate the implementation of the goals reached at the World Summits on the CRC.
- Promote public awareness on national legislation affecting families and children and facilitate the effective and efficient planning and coordination of efforts among and between non-governmental organizations, service clubs, churches and other organizations involved in the provision of services for families and children.
- Promote the standards of protection and care for children contained in the national legislation and in the CRC.
- Recommend and advocate at different levels of Belizean society for policies for the care, protection and maintenance of families and children in Belize.
Guiding Principles
The strategic direction of NCFC will change from time to time as the NCFC responds to changes in the environment that address families and children issues. However, some core principles will always guide the actions of the secretariat and the committee.
- The work of the NCFC is based on the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Belizean Children and Families Act, the latter setting out its mandate.
- The day to day coordination and advocacy work of the NCFC is primarily based on the National Plan of Action for Children and Adolescents.
- The NCFC embraces the principles of integrity, respect, transparency, accountability, non-discrimination and fairness to all its employees and partners both in its internal and external activities.
- NCFC’s main role is advocacy and coordination, which is consistent with its mission and vision statement.
- NCFC aims at being a champion for all the rights of families and children contributing to a better quality of life for all Belizeans.
Our mission
- The National Commission for Families and Children is commissioned and committed to promote and protect the human rights of every child and family in Belize primarily those enshrined in the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Our Vision
- The National Commission for Families and Children, Belize’s lead agency for the promotion and protection of children and family rights, contributes to and advocates for Policy and Legal reform that influences a child-centered approach to development which positively impacts the well being of children and their families.