The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) on Thursday expanded its youth outreach programme with the launch of a Harmony Club at Kamarang Primary School in Region Seven (Cuyuni-Mazaruni).
The activity, held on March 12, also included a stakeholders’ engagement with community leaders and residents at the Kamarang Community Centre.
The outreach team was led by Commissioners Ras Khafra, Pandit Krishn Sharma, Ashton Simon and Norris Witter.
The Harmony Club initiative, implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, aims to introduce young learners to the values of tolerance, mutual respect and appreciation for diversity. The programme provides a structured platform within schools where students can develop attitudes and behaviours that support peaceful coexistence and national unity.
Principal of Kamarang Primary School, Alex Crammer, welcomed the establishment of the club and said its activities will be supported by class teachers Alexia Crammer and Shannia Eugene.
Learning Resource Coordinator attached to the Ministry of Education for Region Seven, Rebecca Reid, also expressed support for the initiative.
“The Harmony Club provides a meaningful space where students can learn to work together, listen to each other and develop the attitudes that promote peaceful co-existence,” Reid said.
During the launch, ERC commissioners highlighted the importance of initiatives that promote understanding and reduce barriers that could lead to discrimination.
“We found out that division exist in Indigenous communities, even though you may not see a lot of other Guyanese from different backgrounds. There are still differences and so the Harmony Club initiative was developed to prevent conflict,” Commissioner Ras Khafra noted.
Thirty students will participate in the Kamarang Primary Harmony Club and will serve as “Harmony Ambassadors”, taking part in interactive sessions designed to promote tolerance, inclusion and respect for diversity.
The programme began in 2025 with five primary schools in Georgetown participating in a pilot phase and has since expanded nationwide. Harmony Clubs were recently established at schools in Mahdia and Micobie.
In addition to the school activity, the ERC team met with village leaders, residents and representatives of the Guyana Police Force during a stakeholders’ meeting at the dining hall of the Kamarang Community Centre.
Representatives from the villages of Kamarang/Warawatta, Kako, Jawalla and Waramodong attended the forum, including several Toshaos and deputy Toshaos.
Participants shared their perspectives on social cohesion within their communities and offered recommendations for addressing local challenges. Some residents also called for more frequent engagements by the Commission to strengthen awareness and dialogue on issues related to national harmony.
Commissioner Norris Witter underscored the role of citizens in promoting unity.
“In a society like Guyana with a population of over eight hundred and fifty thousand, the ten Commissioners would not be able to effectively promote peace and harmony without the support of each and every citizen,” he said.
The ERC said such engagements are important in ensuring that community perspectives are incorporated into national strategies aimed at promoting harmony and good relations across the country.
