The role of the CDCs
Editorial
Guyana Chronicle
November 25, 2003
YOUTH, Culture and Sports Minister Gail Teixeira, at a recent conference in Berbice of representatives of Community Development Committees (CDCs), said the role of the CDCs was critical to the development of Guyana.
She said that throughout the world CDCs are recognized for playing an important part in an agreement in which the state, citizens and other groups are working in partnership, in a constructive fashion.
In Guyana, CDCs were given a big boost when, shortly after being elected President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan made a special call for the formation of Community Development Committees to be established all over Guyana. The first to respond was on the Essequibo Coast. From then on, CDCs grew and grew.
Today, there are some 400 CDCs throughout Guyana and their records of community cooperation are phenomenal.
In many areas, the CDCs have made improvements in communities strapped for cash by mobilizing its members to help in keeping the environment clean, in constructing bridges, drains, in painting community buildings, including churches, protecting schools and community centers from vandalism and working with the Neighbouring Democratic Councils (NDCs) and Regional Democratic Councils (RDCs).
They work with youth and sport groups and promote the activities of HIV/AIDS prevention committees.
Most of all, the CDCs have kept alive the spirit of self-help and volunteerism, which, in this rapidly growing period of materialism and self-interest, tends to diminish.
Our congratulations to all those associated with the CDCs and the many thousands who give their time and talents to help develop the communities in which they live.