National Conversation opens
Guyana Chronicle
November 16, 2006
STAKEHOLDERS from all geographic constituencies of Guyana yesterday converged at the Guyana International Conference Centre (ICC), Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown, for the culmination of the Multi-Stakeholder Forum (MSF) organised by the Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC).
The two-day event which takes the form of a ‘National Conversation’ is being held in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme’s Social Cohesion Project and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The Government Information Agency (GINA) said the opening attracted a notably large contingent of Cabinet members, including Prime Minister Samuel Hinds, Head of the Presidential Secretariat, Dr. Roger Luncheon, Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford, Minister of Labour, Manzoor Nadir and Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues.
Also present were representatives of the National Assembly, trade union bodies, religious groups, non-government organisations, civil society, the UNDP and USAID.
The deliberations are focused on the reports of 143 community conferences and 10 regional conferences the ERC conducted over the last year.
ERC Chairman, Bishop Juan Edghill, said the objective of the commission is to promote education and awareness in the areas of social harmony and equitable access to goods and services by all.
“If we educate our nation and make them aware many of the social ills could be addressed,” he said.
GINA said he explained that the Multi-Stakeholder Forum has “created a safe space for Guyanese to address social and ethnic insecurities allowing for more dialogue.”
While the National Conversation concludes the MSF, it should mark the beginning of a new era for Guyanese in the area of conflict resolution, Edghill said, adding that a common vision needs to be established if Guyana is to truly progress socially since “we become what we behold”.
According to GINA, USAID Chief of Party, David Esch posited that the August 28 national and regional elections sent a powerful message to the international community that Guyanese are serious about peace and social development.
He said his organisation is pleased with the performance of the commission and is committed to further support for social initiatives throughout Guyana.
At the conclusion of the National Conversation, a report will be compiled by the ERC and submitted to the National Assembly for appropriate recommendations.
The ERC is a constitutional body established on August 1, 2003 by the National Assembly to address issues relating to the promotion of social cohesion and elimination of ethnic improprieties.