SINCE a country’s foreign policy is in keeping with its domestic imperatives, Guyana’s foreign policy can be described as both proactive and independent. These attributes have been its hallmarks in keeping with the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government’s policy of expanding its bilateral relations and fostering friendly ties with all states within the international system. From a Guyana that had experienced a collapsed economy; where the human rights of its citizens had been brutally snuffed out by a brutal dictatorship; its citizens being disrespected and subjected to unfriendly treatment from regional neighbours because their country had become a pariah within the international community, Guyana’s pride and dignity has today been restored.
It is a known fact that from its inception of office in 1992, the PPP/C Administration inherited the challenging task of resurrecting an economy from its abjectly fallen state, and restoring the belief of its citizens in their country. Moving from a place where Guyana was once considered/branded the 2nd poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, it has now acquired the status of a developing country. Reports produced by the World Bank and CARICOM support the important fact that Guyana is rapidly emerging as one of the countries, with the highest economic growth rates in Latin America.
The country has also over the years established uncountable bilateral relations across the international system, and continues to build new relations with non-traditional partners; as well as strengthening existing ones. As a result of a CARICOM meeting that was held last year between Guyana and Turkey, Guyana and its new partner have been working at a bilateral level. This has resulted in several visits from various teams from the Turkish Government and the recent approval of several small projects by the Turkish Government.
Further, Argentina recently established an embassy in Guyana and Chile is also expected to do the same by the end of 2015. The country also recently participated in a China, Community of Latin America and Caribbean (CELAC) forum, which saw representatives of all of the Caribbean and the Latin American countries discussing matters of mutual concern and benefits. This has also resulted in great partnerships. Also, Guyana continues to work towards strengthening its relations within the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) framework as well as bilaterally with the other members. Recently, the UNASUR Secretary General, Ernesto Samper visited Guyana. Furthermore, the country also continues to work towards maintaining and strengthening its partnership with the United States of America (USA).
Through the establishment of these and numerous other relationships internationally, Guyana has been able to receive a lot of financial aid and funding for many developmental projects. These include the construction of schools, roads, bridges and hospitals along with many other facilities that the Government has deemed a necessity for us, the citizens of this country, to lead a comfortable and luxurious life. Another great result of these partnerships is the Guyana-Cuba Scholarship programme which has provided the opportunity for hundreds of Guyanese to major in specialised fields, such as medicine, agriculture, and engineering among others.
Also taking into consideration that just a few decades ago, Guyanese were scorned by the international community and was frowned upon; it is important to note that today the country has a voice and is even recogonised as a model country in the fight against the dangers of climate change. Further, for a country that was perceived as a pariah within the international community, Guyana has today been able to be the proud host of several high profile international conferences, including UNASUR and several CARICOM Heads of Government Conferences among many others.
Those of you, who lived in the days when the Guyana we know today was far from a reality, will be able to relate to the statements and changes I refer to in this letter. However, the young people who are fortunate to be born in a time when one is not starved for the basic necessity of life, I urge that you do your research and become au fait with the privileges that you have today, that were non-existent 25-30 years ago. I know as young people, we have a culture of saying that we didn’t live those days, but does that mean that we should be negligent to the facts? Isn’t it our civic duty as citizens of this beautiful country, that we know our history and appreciate the development’s that has taken place over the years? I challenge you not to sit there and take my words for granted, but get up and do your research!

SHIVANIE RAMPERSAUD