…President, Opposition Leader invited
The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC), in collaboration with the Office of the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the University of Guyana (UG), will begin a National Conversation on Ethnic Relations on December 14 and 15, 2020.
The aim is to have frank and open discussions to capture diverse views, on factors that impede ethnic harmony and recommendations for the compilation of a report, to be submitted to the National Assembly and relevant stakeholders for implementation.
The conversation will be launched with a general discussion on “How can we improve ethnic relations in Guyana”, the ERC said in a statement Tuesday.
The fully virtual forum, unavoidable due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is intended to facilitate presenters drawn from Guyanese residing here and abroad and will reflect diversity.
Both President Irfaan Ali and Leader of the Opposition, Joseph Harmon have been invited to address the opening segment which will also include presentations by General Bishop, Reverend Dr. John Smith, Chairman of the ERC, Mikiko Tanaka, UN Resident Coordinator and UG Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Paloma Mohamed-Martin.
A special segment will be held to facilitate the views and recommendations of young people from 18:00 h to 20:00h on the first day. The ERC said that the interaction with the youth is critical since they represent the largest bloc of our population.
The Commission said it intends to live stream the event with some aspects for broadcast on National Television.
“The ERC hopes that the varying points of view of presenters and participants, can serve in some measure, as a blueprint for possible solutions on the related challenges that confront our people in this multi-faceted society,” the ERC said noting that all Guyanese are invited to participate.
