Washington, D.C. – August 13, 2023 – Democratic Leader in the United States House of Representatives, Hon. Hakeem Jeffries, alongside a prominent Biden Administration official, are set to headline a pivotal two-day conference on Guyana organized by the Caribbean Guyana Institute for Democracy (CGID) in collaboration with numerous Guyanese diaspora organizations. The event is scheduled for September 27-28, 2023 at the prestigious National Press Club.
Titled “Promoting Inclusive Governance And Economic Growth, Equal Justice, Social Equality & Sustainable Development For All Guyanese In The Era Of Oil And Gas,” the conference aims to address issues that have raised eyebrows within the Guyanese diaspora in the US. Rickford Burke, CGID President, leads the conference planning committee.
Given Guyana’s rapid ascent as a significant player in the global oil market, the country is anticipated to become the fifth-largest oil producer globally. Its emerging role in the world economy coupled with its importance as a geo-political ally of the US makes the discussions at the conference more vital.
However, concerns abound. Diaspora members have observed with growing alarm what appears to be racial discrimination driving the policies and practices of the PPP government in Guyana. Allegations range from racial marginalization to endemic corruption by key government officials, with billions in contracts seemingly allocated based on ethnicity, leaving out a considerable portion of the Guyanese populace. Adding to the gravity of these concerns are claims of the Guyana government’s increasing autocratic tendencies, likened to practices seen in countries like Russia and China.
Conference delegates are slated to meet and brief a range of key U.S. officials including those from the White House, the State Department, the Justice Department, FBI, and the US Exim Bank on the situation in Guyana. The agenda also includes visits to Capitol Hill for interactions with influential Members of Congress, and US Senators, and a significant meeting with the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).
With the diaspora voicing concerns that U.S. policy on Guyana has seemingly strayed from core American values, this conference seeks to foster an all-inclusive dialogue. Participants will span the spectrum from Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) members, Biden-Harris administration representatives, and international organization leaders, to Guyanese national and diaspora leaders.
CGID’s intent for this event is clear: to initiate a holistic dialogue aimed at recalibrating US policy on Guyana, aligning it more closely with both American values and the global democratic ethos. With the involvement of top U.S. officials, the event promises to be a significant step towards addressing the concerns of many in the Guyanese diaspora.
