The Ministry of Social and Urban Transformation will host a National Child Protection Town Hall Meeting next week, bringing together professionals from several sectors for a national conversation on protecting children, strengthening families and building safer communities.

The town hall will take place on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the John E. St. Luce Finance and Conference Centre, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Minister of Social and Urban Transformation Rawdon Turner will be among seven panellists participating in the discussion.

The panel will also include Director of Family and Social Services and clinical psychologist Feona Charles-Richards; licensed master social worker Koren Norton; Assistant Commissioner of Police and Head of the Criminal Investigations Department Lisborn Michael; Principal of Ottos Comprehensive School Forster Roberts; Social Services Manager at the Sir Lester Bird Medical Centre Dr Sequoyah Survia ; and prominent attorney and former Chief Magistrate Maureen Payne-Hyman.

Their combined experience in psychology, social work, law enforcement, education, healthcare, government and the justice system is expected to support a wide-ranging examination of the challenges affecting children and families in Antigua and Barbuda.

The meeting is intended to encourage meaningful dialogue on the shared responsibility of protecting children and creating environments in which they can live, learn and develop safely.

Members of the public, including parents, guardians, educators, community leaders and other stakeholders, are encouraged to attend and contribute to the national conversation.

The initiative is being held under the message: “Every child in every community deserves safety.”