Kingston/Jamaica, 12 March 2025 – In a significant step towards improving school safety in Jamaica, representatives from national institutions and organizations gathered at the Planning Institute of Jamaica for a National Stakeholder’s Forum. The forum is a key step in the development of the “National Schools Firearms Management and Response Protocol: A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing, Managing, and Responding to Firearm-Related Incidents in Schools,” an initiative jointly led by Jamaica’s Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information (MOESYI) with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
The primary purpose of the National Stakeholders’ Forum was to gather valuable feedback on the first draft of the Protocol, which aims to provide a national framework for preventing, managing, and responding to incidents involving firearms in educational settings across Jamaica.
A total of 36 representatives – including 20 women – participated in the forum, representing a broad spectrum of national institutions. These included the MOESYI, the Ministry of National Security, the Planning Institute of Jamaica, the National Parenting Support Commission, the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF), the Jamaica Association of Guidance Counsellors in Education (JAGCE) and the Jamaican Psychological Society, among others.
The Protocol is being developed as part of the Saving Lives Entity (SALIENT) initiative in Jamaica, which seeks to tackle armed violence and illicit small arms within a broader framework of people-centred security and sustainable development.
A Collaborative Effort
In the months ahead, MOESYI and UNLIREC will continue to work closely with these stakeholders to refine the Protocol, incorporating feedback from senior leadership. The aim is to finalize the document for formal adoption and ensure its implementation across Jamaica’s education system.
The development of the Protocol follows the 2023 Guidelines for the Development of Protocols to Tackle the Presence and Use of Firearms in Schools. Over the course of 2024 and into 2025, UNLIREC, in partnership with MOESYI, facilitated a series of consultations with key national stakeholders, offering expert guidance throughout the process and supported in the establishment of a multistakeholder technical working group to oversee and guide the drafting of the Protocol.
The Protocol is designed to improve coordination, institutional responses, and preventive measures at all levels of Jamaica’s education system, ensuring a safer and more supportive environment for students and educators alike.
The Protocol’s Objectives: A Comprehensive Guide for Prevention, Management, and Response
The “National Schools Firearms Management and Response Protocol: A Comprehensive Guide to Preventing, Managing, and Responding to Firearm-Related Incidents in Schools” serves as a detailed framework for addressing firearm-related incidents within educational institutions across Jamaica. Aligned with international best practices, national legislation, and established school safety policies, this Protocol outlines standardized procedures to ensure the safety and security of students, staff, and school communities.
In light of the increasing prevalence of firearm-related incidents in Jamaica and the broader Caribbean region, this Protocol aims to equip school administrators, teachers, and security personnel with structured intervention strategies to prevent firearm threats, de-escalate crises, and support post-incident recovery efforts.
The specific objectives of the Protocol include:
Establishing Clear and Effective Response Mechanisms. Providing structured, standardized procedures for effectively managing firearm-related incidents in schools.
Strengthening Preventative and Risk Reduction Measures. Implementing early detection mechanisms and enhanced security protocols to prevent the presence and misuse of firearms within schools.
Enhancing Stakeholders Coordination. Establishing reporting mechanisms, crisis communication strategies, and fostering collaborative partnerships across different sectors to improve overall response efforts.
Addressing the Psychological and Social Impact of Firearm Incidents: Prioritizing post-incident recovery strategies, including access to counselling, trauma-informed care training for teachers, peer support initiatives, and reintegration programmes for affected students.
Promoting a Culture of Non-Violence and Conflict Resolution: Beyond immediate response and prevention, the Protocol seeks to reduce the normalisation of violence and improve overall school safety by fostering a culture of peace, non-violence, and responsible conflict resolution within school communities.
From 11 to 14 March 2025, 26 officials from the Royal Grenada Police Force and His Majesty’s Prison participated in the virtual Physical Security and Stockpile Management (PSSM) Workshop, organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC).
Through presentations and practical exercises, participants were introduced to international standards and best practices in physical security and stockpile management, marking and recordkeeping, and firearms and ammunition destruction procedures. Effective stockpile management not only reduces the risk of loss, theft and accidents but also helps to identify obsolete or surplus weapons, contributing to overall peace and security.
The workshop aimed to enhance national capacities in managing and securing stockpiles of weapons, ammunition, and explosives in accordance with international norms and standards. The training combined theoretical lectures, practical exercises, and group discussions covering key aspects of PSSM.
The workshop is part of the technical assistance provided by UNLIREC under the project “Women, Youth And Disarmament and The Caribbean Firearms Roadmap”, funded by the Government of Canada. It supports national efforts to prevent the diversion of conventional weapons and ammunition and strengthen law enforcement capacities in securing stockpile facilities.
The workshop contributes to Goal 4 of the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap: “Systematically decrease the risk of diversion of firearms and ammunition from government- and non-government-owned arsenals”. By reinforcing stockpile security and safety, the initiative supports regional efforts to combat illicit firearms and ammunition trafficking and crime in the Caribbean.
From 17 to 18 February 2025, in San Pedro de Sula, representatives of the Honduran Public Prosecutor’s Office participated in the Technical Workshop on Physical Security and Management of Firearms and Ammunition Evidence Storage Facilities. The workshop was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the beneficiary institution.
Effective management of firearms and ammunition evidence not only reduces the risk of loss and theft but also prevents accidents and enhances overall peace and security. The primary objective of the training was to strengthen national capacities in managing and securing evidence storage facilities in accordance with international norms and standards – a critical measure to prevent incidents that could compromise the storage and preservation of evidence.
A total of 39 officers from various regions (Tegucigalpa, San Pedro Sula, Puerto Cortés, Choloma, El Progreso and La Ceiba) and different units of the Public Prosecutor’s Office participated, including prosecutors and personnel from the Directorate for Combating Drug Trafficking (DLCN), Technical Agency for Criminal Investigation (ATIC), Directorate of Forensic Medicine, Department of Security, and File, Evidence, and Historical Documents Management Module (MAAEDH), among others. Participants exchanged experiences from their respective fields.
The workshop was held within the framework of the SALIENT initiative (Saving Lives Entity), a joint programme by the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA) and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). This initiative aims to reduce armed violence by addressing its root causes and promoting a comprehensive approach that integrates development and security. By incorporating firearms control into national security and development efforts, SALIENT acknowledges that the illicit proliferation of firearms and ammunition threats lives, governance and socioeconomic development.
From 17 to 18 December 2024, representatives of various institutions involved in arms and ammunition control in Iquitos, Peru participated in the Executive Workshop on Illicit Trafficking and Manufacture of Firearms and Ammunition. This activity was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Peru.
Participants included officials from the Peruvian National Police, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Judiciary, SUNAT-Customs, the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the National Intelligence Directorate, the Citizen Security Directorate of the Municipality of Maynas, the Citizen Security Management of the Regional Government of Loreto, and the National Superintendency for the Control of Security Services, Arms, Ammunition and Explosives for Civilian Use (SUCAMEC). They shared their experiences and challenges in addressing the complex issue of illicit arms trafficking.
During the opening session, Carlos Jimenez from the Directorate of Security and Defense Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed gratitude to UNLIREC and Germany for their support in enhancing Peru’s capabilities in this critical area.
This workshop aimed to equip national authorities with the knowledge and technical tools needed to develop strategies for preventing and combatting illicit trafficking in firearms and ammunition in line with international standards.. Participants engaged in discussions about trends in illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition in Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as methods used for the illicit manufacture and trafficking of firearms and ammunition.
To further enrich the workshop, the National Intelligence Directorate (DINI) shared insights into the dynamics of illicit firearms trafficking in Peru, including trends and illustrative case studies. SUCAMEC also presented on national regulations concerning firearms and ammunition transfers, detailing supervision operations that highlight various diversion methods. This collaborative environment facilitated the exchange of information and best practices among institutions.
This workshop is part of the project “Support for the Implementation of Subregional, Regional and Global Instruments and Frameworks Related to Small Arms Control and Ammunition Management in Latin America and the Caribbean”, funded by Germany.
From 19 to 21 November 2024, 33 officials from various law enforcement, legal, and scientific institutions in Trinidad and Tobago participated in the Combating Trafficking in Arms and Ammunition (CTAM). This training was organized by the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) in collaboration with the Ministry of National Security. Participants included representatives from the Ministry of National Security, the Ministry of Legal Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Trinidad & Tobago Police Service, the Trinidad & Tobago Municipal Police Service, the Port Authority Police, and the Customs and Excise Division of the Ministry of Finance. They received up-to-date training and on arms and ammunition trafficking including the issue of privately manufactured firearms.
During the event’s opening, Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Commissioner Erla Harewood-Christopher emphasized the importance of up-to-date training and collaborative efforts among law enforcement and civilian agencies to address the rising rates of firearms-related crimes and the emerging threat of privately manufactured firearms.
The Honorable Fitzgerald E. Hinds, Minister of National Security of Trinidad and Tobago; Mr Scott Hansen, Political-Economic Counselor at the U.S, Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago; and Ms. Quinnelle-Marie Kangalee, Programme coordinator at UNLIREC, also attended the launch.
The Honorable Minister and Mr Hansen highlighted the increasing threat of transnational organized crime in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean, underscoring the significance of the training and encouraging participants to apply what they learned.
The CTAM course offers both theoretical and practical knowledge on global and regional trends in arms trafficking, methods of illicit manufacture, control systems for international transfers of firearms and ammunition, including brokering, and tools for international cooperation against firearms trafficking.
This edition of the CTAM featured presentations from the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (including the Police Armoury and Firearms Permit Unit), the Customs & Excise Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (ATF), as well as CARICOM IMPACS. These sessions focused on firearms trafficking trends and the licensing and importat/export processes for firearms and accessories in Trinidad and Tobago, with IMPACS providing an overview of the Crime Gun Intelligence Unit (CGIU).
The CTAM course is part of UNLIREC’s project “Combating Illicit Firearms and Ammunition Trafficking in the Caribbean”, funded by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the United States. It aligns with the 2001 UN Programme of Action on Small Arms, the Arms Trade Treaty, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This initiative to regional efforts to prevent the illicit trafficking of firearms and ammunition, reduce firearms-related crimes, and support the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap.
NEW YORK, 11 November (Office for Disarmament Affairs) —The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNLIREC) is delighted to announce the launch of its new podcast series, Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast, which is dedicated to highlighting the voices of women from Latin America and the Caribbean who work in disarmament.
Over the course of 10 episodes, listeners will be invited to reflect on the importance of women’s voices in peace, security and disarmament. “At UNLIREC, we are proud to provide a platform that celebrates and supports women who are making forward strides in traditionally male-dominated fields,” said Soledad Urruela, Director of UNLIREC. “This podcast will spotlight their achievements, the challenges they overcome, and their vision for a safer and more equitable world.”
Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast features a diverse lineup of women, including experts, diplomats, policymakers and civil society leaders from across Latin America and the Caribbean, who will share their personal journeys and insights on advancing peace and security worldwide.
Featured guests include inspiring women leaders such as Kettly Julien (Haiti), Ana Pamela Romero (Mexico), Mayla Alejandra de León (Guatemala), Clarissa Rojas (Peru), Elizabeth Ward (Jamaica), Tamika Henry (Guyana), Nadine Bushell (Trinidad and Tobago), Constanza Bucarey (Chile), Carina Solmirano (Argentina) and Juliana Aguiar (Brazil). A special episode will feature Maritza Chan Valverde, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations, and Dennis Francis, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the United Nations, who, together with Ms. Urruela, will reflect on the progress in the United Nations General Assembly resolution on women, disarmament, non-proliferation and arms control. The podcast series launched on 8 November and will run for a month, with the final episode airing on 8 December to coincide with the fourteenth anniversary of the adoption of the resolution.
Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast will be available on platforms, such as Spotify and YouTube, and will feature conversations in English, Spanish and French.
Women, Forces of Change: The Podcast is funded by the Government of Canada and is aimed at strengthening and promoting the key role of Latin American and Caribbean women in disarmament and security in the region.
This podcast series builds on UNLIREC’s original publication series Women, Forces of Change, which has highlighted the contributions and perspectives of over 200 women in disarmament since 2012.
About UNLIREC
The United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean, is one of three regional centres under the United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs. Since its establishment in 1986, the Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean has worked to promote peace, security and disarmament in the region.
