St. Kitts and Nevis: Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew engaged with the media to address issues and matters related to the national interest at the Roundtable, held on October 08, 2024. At the engagement he gave an insight into the purpose of the new secretariat, that was first announced on August 23, 2024.
During the Roundtable, a Citizen Security Secretariat in St. Kitts and Nevis was created during the roundtable. This secretariat emphasized a comprehensive approach to the safety and well-being of citizens that was aligned with international best practices.
PM Drew noted that national security is often associated with law enforcement and said that citizen security is a designation, which means that the one is dealing with violence and crime.
He further added that they want to shift the understanding that when they speak about citizen security it’s not just about that. Being curious, he asked, do you have water, food, access to education, healthcare, a strong democratic system? The things that secure a citizen.
Prime Minister Drew also stated that the term ‘citizen’ has a personal touch that focuses on individuals, whereas national security by its connotation is more impersonal and is related to the matters of the state.
In the Roundtable, he also highlighted the significance of language in shaping policy. Considering this, PM Drew stressed upon the 90-Day Campaign Against Violence and Crime, which is led by the Citizen Security Task Force and prioritizes individual perspectives.
The initiative aims to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard while developing a framework which addresses the causes, consequences and solutions to violence and crime.
Dr. Drew, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis mentioned that the term ‘Citizen Security’ is also increasingly recognized on an international scale, especially by the United Nations.
Notably, the government is completely committed to upholding the law and order with the citizen, resident and visitor can live, work and play in a safe environment.