-next step is the implementation process
Start on 2/turn to 3 if necessary: Photos saved in ‘UNDP Workshop’ folder in Graphics THE FINDINGS of an Enhanced Public Trust, Security and Inclusion (EPTSI) project were unanimously approved by stakeholders at a workshop yesterday at the Guyana International Conference Centre here in Georgetown.

Head of the Presidential Secretariat (HPS), Dr. Roger Luncheon, who was at the Lieliendaal meeting, said the validation of the report is an important first step towards advancing efforts that have already been made relative to the survey’s focus.

The EPTSI baseline survey targeted over 1,000 persons in Regions Three (West Demerara/ Essequibo Islands), Four (Demerara/ Mahaica), Five (Mahaica/ Berbice), Six (East Berbice/ Corentyne) and Ten (Upper Demerara/ Berbice).

The survey, which used as its guideline a 58-point questionnaire, was conducted by the University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus –Trinidad and Tobago, and was commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The purpose of the survey is to highlight some of the pertinent issues that arose during the consultancy and, based on the results, inform activities at the community level so as to affect change.

The survey focused primarily on ascertaining quantitative and qualitative understanding of areas regarding youth, employment, community security, social cohesion and the role of the media.

Dr Luncheon, whose remarks were directed towards Government Ministers, Members of Parliament, senior civil servants, civil society and private sector organizations, lauded the support of the stakeholders, saying that their participation shows not only their interest  in the subject matter, but their willingness as well to be involved in the process and the next step forward.

After being presented with the findings and recommendations of the survey team, participants paired off into working groups, namely, Vocational Skills Training for employment; Economic Stability; and Conflict Resolution and Security before endorsing the survey’s findings.

Each team, led by a government minister, addressed the statistics, perceptions and recommendations made by the UWI team; the utilization of the aforementioned information at community level; the recommendations of particular communities where the objective of the project would best be served; and the gender-mainstreaming of the proposed recommendations.

“We have gone a far way in crafting interventions, government programmes and strategies,” Dr Luncheon said.

He, however, stressed the need for the “scientific orthodoxies” established through the statistical findings of the survey.

Also in attendance at the meet was Presidential Advisor on Governance, Ms. Gail Teixeira, who concurred with her colleague, saying that the research employed an evidence-based community approach.

“One of the important things that had to be done was for us to have concrete data to really deal with the way in which this programme would evolve,” she said, adding:  “Part of the EPTSI programme made it an absolute requirement that we have a baseline survey.”

The survey, Ms Teixeira said, presented “interesting findings” that produced evidence which validates and debunks what she described as “sacrosanct views” held by many.

She said it is to be hoped that the findings provide a platform on which to encourage a more enlightened approach by not just the government, but the private sector and civil society as well, and on critical issues of national importance to assist in the evolution of interventions that will be designed year by year.

According to a UWI report, the EPTSI project intervention’s aim to strengthen efforts towards deepening democratic practices and sustainable peace in Guyana through processes such as the empowerment of youth, expressly women and children, to enable them to effectively participate in the governance process.

Additionally, it is aimed at enhancing the capacity of local communities to participate in matters having to do with governance, as well as the enhancement of community security and safety. Strengthening public discourse, centered on inclusion and the constructive resolution of conflicts were also focal points of the project.

It was pointed out too that in terms of the EPTSI project’s intervention approach, it is highly recommended that there be collaboration with partners in order to develop a broad based intervention strategy.

Recommendations
The general recommendations made by the UWI centered on training, financial or capital access, and conflict resolution.

The conclusions on training were that it must be based on a needs analysis of both the population and the Guyanese economy. The recommendations also took into consideration that many programmes no longer equip the population with the tools for improvement in the earning/ productive capacity of these individuals.

Relative to financing or capital access, the UWI recommendations took note of the fact that this is a major problem since persons are unable to utilize the skills they have acquired to increase the earning capacity.

Conflict resolution was labeled, according to the UWI recommendations, an area that needs to be allocated resources in order for programmes and policies to address community security and inclusion and build trust among the populace. A facilitatory environment was also cited as a necessary component to advance conflict resolution. A consultation between the armed forces and the community was also pointed out as a way to achieve the same. The role of the media, as a partner of the armed forces in publicizing crime, was also examined.

In line with the recommendations, a gendered approach to policy and programmes ought to be taken with respect to any initiatives arising out of the recommendation was acknowledged at an imperative.

Dr. Mark Kirton, a senior lecturer at the Institute of International Relations at UWI who gave an overview of the survey said: “In terms of results, we find that youth see themselves seeking greater level of empowerment.”

Recognizing this as a primary finding in the survey, Kirton added that it is incumbent on the stakeholders to seek out initiatives in areas which would give “significant value” to the lives of youth and women.