To strengthen knowledge of Southern Sudan's 2008 Child Act, UNICEF and UNMIS' Child Protection Unit held a training session on juvenile justice from 4 to 6 August in Kuajok, Warrap State.

To strengthen knowledge of Southern Sudan's 2008 Child Act, UNICEF and UNMIS' Child Protection Unit held a training session on juvenile justice from 4 to 6 August in Kuajok, Warrap State.

The session aimed at promoting awareness of police members, prison officers and social workers on implementation of the Child Act, and creating child-friendly procedures within the police and prisons.

"This is a really significant training, which enabled us to acquire a lot of knowledge on how to implement the Child Act and how to treat juvenile prisoners," Deng Goor Kamic, a prison officer attending the session said.

The training introduced participants to topics including the Child Act, child rights, interviewing skills, alternative to arrest, role of prison officers towards juveniles in detention and an action plan for implementation of child-friendly procedures.

"It is a very important training, which I hope would promote the skills and knowledge of our officers," Teng Deng Ring, Acting Director of the Child Welfare Unit of Warrap State Ministry of Social Development.

He acknowledged that UNICEF and UNMIS had worked with his office for the last two years to strengthen officers' basic knowledge on child rights and protection. According to UNICEF Child Protection Officer Timothy Tut, the training would continue in the state.

"To have a better future and better nation, we need to act now and assist our children ... and to show them right things," Mr. Deng emphasized.

Funded by UNICEF, which also provided trainers, the session was conducted by UNMIS Child Protection Unit in collaboration with the Warrap State Ministry of Social Development. It was attended by 30 participants from Warrap State prison and police, Ministry of Social Development, trade unions, chiefs and members of parliament.