-to construct cultural bridges

-by Jarryl Bryan

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is building bridges between different cultures, using a multi-pronged approach that ranges from training in schools and communities, to linguistic guidelines.

During a panel discussion at the Ethnic Relations Commission’s (ERC) National Symposium on Tuesday, ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack spoke of the Diversity, Education and Inclusivity programme.

Through this initiative, the commission has been conducting training at both the public and private levels.

There are also the Harmony Clubs in the school system.

“It is with what our teacher pointed out, of creating harmony among the young population of our country. And starting at that level of the school. The Diversity, Education and Inclusivity Programme. We have done quite a bit of training in the government and private sector. And that is another effort of the ERC,” he said.

Meanwhile, ERC Commissioner Neaz Subhan gave some further insight into ongoing work by the commission.

For instance, there is an initiative aiming to educate Guyanese on the do’s and don’ts, of racially harmonious language.

“Just like how we have the harmony clubs and so on, we have as a commission, what we call a glossary of terms and terminology that we would advise persons not to use. It went through the professionals at the University of Guyana and we’re about to release it,” he said.

Subhan said that if adhered to, this list of ‘do not use’ words can go a far way to help avoid causing ethnic tension.