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Explaining that Government is moving away from viewing emigration primarily as a brain drain, but rather as an opportunity to extend the available development resources beyond Guyana’s confines, the Minister fielded a wide range of questions about the goals of the project, as well as current issues of interest.
She identified health, education and information technology as some of the areas which could benefit from the project, and pointed out that the private sector would be able to make use of the information collected.
The release noted that the Chief of Mission of the International Office for Migration (IOM), Mr. Rui Reis, explained the role of the office in working along with the Government of Guyana to design and implement the project, which, he said, was receiving favourable responses.
In addition, the release related that the IOM made a visual presentation, explaining how the data would be collected and utilised.
Ambassador Bayney Karran, who was also present, welcomed the gathering to the event, which was timed to coincide with Guyana’s 43rd Republic Anniversary, and thanked the gathering for braving the wintry conditions to attend the event.
The GUYD project was originally launched in New York by President Donald Ramotar last September, and was subsequently launched by Minister Rodrigues-Birkett in Toronto, Canada, and London, England prior to last Friday’s launch in the US capital.
The project is designed to compile data about the resources, skills and level of interest available in the Guyanese Diaspora. Persons and organizations who wish to assist in Guyana’s development can submit their information online through a designated website, or by way of social media. The information obtained would allow for skill sets and resources which are available in the Diaspora to be matched and channelled towards development needs in Guyana.
