The Arts and the Environment Conference, 2010 (Part II)
The following report was written by Dr. Michael Niblett, who is currently a Research Fellow in the Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies, University of Warwick, working on a three-year project, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, entitled ‘Literature and the Environment in the Caribbean: The Case of Guyana’. ‘THE ARTS and the Environment’ conference, which took place at the Cara Lodge Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana, on September 4 -5, 2010,  brought together a range of writers, artists, academics, activists, politicians, educationalists, and other cultural workers from Guyana and the wider Caribbean.
Funded by the Leverhulme Trust and organized by Warwick University’s Yesu Persaud Centre for Caribbean Studies, the conference had two main aims: Firstly, to examine the role of the environment in shaping the Guyanese imagination; that is, to consider the influence of the country’s landscapes, seascapes, flora and fauna on cultural production; and secondly, to encourage discussion about the ways in which writers and artists might be engaged in promoting environmentalism in Guyana.
The conference was opened by the Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Ms. Pauline Sukhai. There followed a series of talks/papers on environmental themes by noted figures such as Major General Retd. Joe Singh, Janette Bulkan, and Vonnie Roudette, which explored some of the ecological and social difficulties confronting Guyana and considered how such problems might be tackled.
Alternating with these talks were a series of conversations and discussions with some of Guyana’s best writers and artists, including Pauline Melville, Mark McWatt, George Simon, Oonya Kempadoo, and Dr. Ian McDonald. As well as talking about their work, these speakers also discussed the role the arts might play in helping to cultivate an environmental consciousness in Guyana.
Each talk was followed by a discussion session in which attendees were able to put forward their own views on the issues at stake. Those joining in the debates included Vanda Radzik, Dr. Raquel Thomas, Sydney Allicock, Carmen Jarvis, Al Creighton, Elfrieda Bissember, Annette Arjoon-Martins, Navin Chanderpaul, Dr. David Singh, Dave Martins, Ruel Johnson, Dr. Paloma Mohamed, Inge Nathoo, and Petamber Persaud. Something that came out particularly strongly in the conference was the importance of education and of sensitizing people to environmental issues at a young age.
The final discussion session on Sunday sought to reach a consensus on a list of recommendations or ideas that might be acted upon so as to further environmental and social responsibility in Guyana. These included looking at ways of integrating environmental themes into educational programmes, making more use of the media to promote environmental awareness, and finding ways to sponsor small-scale community projects.
The conference was closed on Sunday evening by Dr. Yesu Persaud. On Monday, a number of the writers flew into the interior and visited the Iwokrama International Centre for Rainforest Conservation and Development.
Here, they met with the Surama culture group, who performed a selection of songs and dances. This was followed by readings from the writers.
Overall, the conference generated some lively debate, and showcased a range of interesting perspectives on the environmental and social issues confronting Guyana. It is hoped that the many excellent ideas and proposals that emerged out of the conference can be followed up and put into practice.
Note: The first follow-up meeting took place at the Cara Lodge on Wednesday September 22, 2010, where ‘the many excellent ideas and proposals’ were prioritised for decisive action. That task force at the meeting included Vanda Radzik (who chaired), Major General Retd Joe Singh, Dr. Raquel Thomas, Dr. David Singh, Carmen Jarvis, Ruel Johnson, George Simon and yours truly.
What’s Happening
•        The Guyana Annual 2010-2011 issue is under production; submissions of poetry, short story, articles welcomed.
•        The first eleven titles of the Guyana Classics Library are now available to the public. Please contact me for more information.
•        Poetry is back at Upscale, this time under the theme ‘Caribbean Moods’ on Tuesday October 5, 2010.
(To respond to this author, either call him on (592) 226-0065 or send him an email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com)