THE local leg of the Global Citizen-Initiative was launched on Wednesday as the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) joined the Technical, Vocational Education Training (TVET) in hosting its first career fair.The event was held at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre, Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The Global Citizen-Initiative is an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) with members in 75 countries.
The Global Citizen Initiative (TGCI) is an effort to build a network of people who see themselves as global citizens and want to build a better world. Such a network responds to an urgent need for better grassroots mechanisms that engage people in the processes of advocating global values, finding global solutions to global issues and building more participatory global governance institutions.

The Guyana Government through the Education Ministry is preparing to adopt sessions within classrooms. Since Monday schools globally will be teaching about the new Global Goals with the world’s largest lesson under the Global Citizen Initiative.
Speaking at the launch, Education Minister Dr Rupert Roopnaraine said Global Citizenship is an idea that is needed within society.
Commenting on the career fair, the Education Minister noted that the event displays creativity and capacity of young people who have been involved in innovative production.
“Some of the most interesting exhibitions have had to do with the use of waste material and converting it into something useful. There are a variety of exhibitions and what is seen is a commitment to innovative education,” he noted. Ritesh Tularam, the Education Ministry’s coordinator of the Secondary Competency Certificate Programme (SCCP) labelled the fair a first and a successful venture for his unit. It was focused on sensitising youths in and out of school for possible career opportunities that currently exist within the schools that are offering the SCCP. He said the fair was focused on encouraging youths to acquire the certificate to be gainfully employed.
“The reason for having these people is to showcase what is available within their companies to help persons to make enlightened choices in terms of their career paths.” Tularam said that plans are in train for the event to become a cross- regional affair for his unit and hopefully it will be an annual unfolding.
Dr Roopnaraine said he would like to see TVET programmes in every school in the country.
He also gave the assurance that government is very committed to building as much capacity to further invest in the field of all aspects of technical and vocational teachings. Booths which were mostly manned by students also saw several companies including Banks DIH, Guysuco, Guyana Power and Light, and John Fernandes Ltd amongst the group.