-as ERC hosts national symposium
-by Jarryl Bryan
A strong call for unity echoed through the Arthur Chung Conference Center today as political leaders, diplomats, academics and policy makers gathered for a national symposium hosted by the Ethnic Relations Commission.
Held under the theme “Guyana at 60: Unity, Diversity and the path forward”, the symposium brought together former President Donald Ramotar, Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh, Guyana’s agent to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Carl Greenidge, opposition chief whip Tabitha Sarabo-Halley and other national stakeholders.
As Guyana continues its rapid transformation, speakers warned that safeguarding social cohesion must remain a national priority. A recurring message was that national development must create opportunities for every Guyanese, regardless of background. Finance Minister Dr. Ashni Singh said programmess such as the soon to be launched Guyana Development Bank are intended to empower citizens across the country.
“When we deploy, as we very shortly will, the new SME Development Bank targeting small businesses, it will serve as an important vehicle for the economic empowerment of Guyanese of every single background,” he said.
Meanwhile, panelists Carl Greenidge and Tabitha Sarabo-Halley also underscored the role of families, schools and communities in fostering respect, understanding and social harmony from an early age.
“People aren’t born racist, it is true. If you put children together, less than two years old, ten years old, whatever, you will find they behave in one way. But by the time they pass through the hands of the family, not always,” Greenidge said.
Sarabo-Halley explained, “Yes, family has a role to play, of course, because you started a family, but families, education, all of those don’t work in isolation and we have to create the environment where it is okay and it gives the space for persons to be able to operate and to grow.”
Labour Minister Keoma Griffith highlighted government training initiatives, saying thousands of Guyanese from diverse backgrounds have already benefited, while emphasising that opportunities should be based on talent and ability.
“We have been able to empower over 16,000 persons who have obtained training, they’ve been upskilled. These are persons from diverse backgrounds. Talent has no ethnicity and excellence knows no race,” he underscored.
