By Josiah Williams
At a recent forum organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the University of Guyana (UG), and the European Union (EU), Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira, underscored the critical importance of democracy in maintaining peace, stability, and economic development.
Speaking at the ‘Democracy Talks’ series held at the Marriott Hotel, Minister Teixeira emphasized that democracy should never be taken for granted and must be safeguarded by citizens of all nations.
She urged citizens to vigilantly protect and preserve democracy, stressing that constitutional rights are meaningless without active defense.
Minister Teixeira highlighted democracy as a fundamental tool for peace and sustainable development, particularly amidst the backdrop of numerous elections scheduled worldwide.
With over 40 percent of the global population set to vote this year, she noted that this presents a crucial opportunity to assess the resilience of democratic values across nations.
Furthermore, Minister Teixeira cautioned against the misuse of social media to spread misinformation during elections, emphasizing the need for these platforms to promote democratic values rather than undermine them.
As elections unfold worldwide, the minister stressed that the democratic principles of leaders, political parties, the judiciary, civil society organizations, and the media will face scrutiny.
In conclusion, Minister Gail Teixeira’s remarks underscore the vital role of citizens in upholding democracy, urging collective action to protect the foundation of democratic governance.