National Public Service Week Opens with Information Fair in Belmopan

Today, a Public Service Information Fair was held in the Capital City of Belmopan. The Fair opened National Public Service week, which runs from June 14 to 20. From 9am to 3pm, the Belmopan Civic Center was packed with various ministries offering information about their various departments and services. Vejea Alvarez, the Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Disaster Risk Management spoke about today’s event and other activities that the public can look forward to within the week.  

Vejea Alvarez, Public Relations, Ministry of Disaster Risk Management: “We had great participation from the various ministries and departments that make up the public service. And it was really heartwarming to see the public come out and really engage with members of the public service. And it really speaks to this serious theme as well too. So it was really good to see a good turnout today. Overall, we’ve been just trying to promote public service week which is next week. Today is the first event for Belmopan. We’ve had other events that have been taking part across the country, but today is  the first event for Belmopan. Like you stated, next week we’ll have more events with the National Walk on Tuesday. On Monday morning we will be going on Plus TV at 7 o’clock. Myself and Deshawn Saldivar who is a member of the Belmopan Public Services Subcommittee to speak about the other events like the walk like you stated. We’re also going to have an Ecumenical service for public officers but the public is invited as well too for us to celebrate, be grateful and as well to celebrate public service week. So we have a lot of things that are going to be taking place”

The Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs was also present at this morning’s public service information fair. Michelle Rodriguez, the Public Relations Officer for the ministry, spoke about their Blue Teddy Bear Campaign which launched earlier this year. 

Michell Rodriguez, PR, Ministry of Human Development: “The Blue Teddy Bear Campaign is a campaign that was started almost 100 days ago by the Ministry of Human Development, the National Commission for Families and Children NCFC and UNICEF. And as well, we have been greatly supported by the special envoy in this campaign. So it is for protection of children against abuse and violence.”

Reporter:  And then what is some of the information that you guys have been giving to the public when they come to your booth? 

Michell Rodriguez, PR, Ministry of Human Development:  “Oh, so many. So under the Ministry, we have the Ministry of Human Development, Family Support and Gender Affairs has three departments; The Department of Human Services, the Community Rehabilitation Department, and the Family Support and Gender Affairs Department and we have been teaching the public about what each of our department does. So it’s been really, really big, especially lately. We do have the Domestic Violence Bill that has gone through its second reading and we consider it a huge win for everyone in Belize. So if people follow us on Facebook, we have a series that’s going on right now and it is called Understanding the Domestic Violence Prohibition Bill.”

This year’s Public Service Week is being held under the theme “Transforming Public Institution – Advancing Innovating, Participation and inclusion”.