We all strive for the best for our children, however, parenting can sometimes be difficult. Therefore, it is valuable as a community to have conversations about parenthood. To support each other, discuss dilemmas, and exchange parenting tips. In the Campaign 'Raising our Future' UNICEF the Netherlands initiates the conversation with parents from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. To inspire other families, spark conversations, and share valuable parenting tips. After all, raising children isn't done individually, it is done together.
Parents, caregivers, grandparents, neighbors, teachers, sports coaches, aunts and uncles, etcetera each play a role in the upbringing of the next generation, in other words, 'Raising our Future'. By using mini-documentaries, theater, and sharing parenting tips to highlight the importance of parenting, collectively we can take a step towards children growing up healthy, safe, and with optimal opportunities for development.
As part of this campaign, last year Archell Thompson had conversations in the form of theater with parents about raising children. In 2024, the professional storyteller is set to return to the islands to train enthusiastic theatermakers and volunteers in storytelling skills. Storytelling through theater, is a powerful technique to convey socially significant topics such as parenthood in an easily digestible manner.
Following last year, new mini-documentaries will again be recorded in collaboration with Archell Thompson. This time with the emphasis on fathers in Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba. You can see last year's videos about positive parenting on our YouTube channel. In these videos, Regiline shares tips about raising teenagers, Paula and Jacquil tell their experience with having young twins, and Alexandra tells us how she altered her parenting style. Every mini-documentary is available in three languages: English, Dutch, and Papiamentu.
In the campaign parents and caregivers from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba give each other parenting insights, and tips and share their experiences all year round. To support parents in giving their children the best start in life UNICEF also uploads these tips on the Facebook page UNICEF Dutch Carribean. Furthermore, visit our international website for more information, advice, facts, and guidance about parenting from our experts at UNICEF International.
The 'Raising our Future’ campaign is a follow-up on the 'Quality Time' campaign, which was all about spending quality time together. The 2022 campaign also featured many valuable conversations between parents and Archell, wherein parents give each other ideas and inspiration on how to find short moments in their day to spend with their children. For instance, Natasha and Shimail make a trip to the playground, Monica goes camping with her sons in their garden, and the Lopez family plays a baseball game. These videos are also available in three languages on the UNICEF YouTube channel.
The campaign is developed with parents and professionals of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba in English, Dutch, and Papiamentu. The campaign is a collaboration between UNICEF the Netherlands and the Public Entities of Bonaire, Statia, and Saba and is part of UNICEF's BES program, made possible by the Ministry of the Interior and Kingdom Relations. Read more about our work in the Dutch Caribbean.
