AN ADDITIONAL 41 stakeholders from Corriverton, Corentyne, East Berbice (Region Six) were today added to the hundreds of persons who have so far contributed to the Countrywide Consultation initiative of the Ministry of Social Cohesion (MSC); and the MSC has said the consultations have so far been receiving overwhelming response from participants around the country.

The participants ranged from members of non-governmental organisations to religious and youth groups to residents of the neighbouring indigenous communities of Orealla and Siparuta.

The consultations have been used as a social cohesion awareness vehicle. Today’s session was the twentieth of 32 planned; two others are planned for New Amsterdam and Rose Hall Town over the next two days.

Technical Officer of the Ministry of Social Cohesion, Ms. Natasha Singh-Lewis, has said that one positive response coming out of all the consultations is the sensitisation aspect, as residents are able to learn more about the MSC’s work. “We have residents, especially from hinterland communities, who are particularly happy to learn about social cohesion,” she said.

Lead Consultant for the Social Cohesion National Strategic Plan, Dr. Thomas Gittens, has said the consultations have also highlighted proposals and responses that reflect the particular issues affecting the communities, which, he noted gives tremendous insight into the needs of those communities.

“We have had a tremendous level of participation and input at all the consultations. In many cases, we have received very good content because people have been speaking their minds,” he said. He added that the MSC’s aim is to make the consultations free of politics, and this he believes has led to people being more inclined to share their views. “We have also been seeing people thinking very deeply about what they want to see at a community and national level. There has been a lot of commitment in terms of how people are seeing the whole process and how they are modelling their participation to the process, and it is very heartening,” he said.

The participants were given the chance to provide feedback on five thematic areas affecting social cohesion in Guyana: economic equity and opportunities, citizens’ safety and security, social inclusion and tolerance, inclusive and participatory governance, and harmonious ethnic and racial relations. Their feedback will contribute to the development of a 2017-2021 Strategic Plan on Social Cohesion in Guyana, which is expected to be completed by this year-end.

Speaking in regard to economic inclusion, Corriverton businessman Nicholas Jaundoo said it is important for people of various professional backgrounds to have equal access to financing. “This will enable them to make a contribution in their community, and will help to uplift the community. The whole idea of this programme is very inclusive, with a wide cross-section of people. I would like to see more of these consultations, so that people can be informed of what the Government has planned for the country,” he said.

Corriverton resident Loretta Angel said that, in the area of security, residents are concerned about crime, and that it is important for all groups to work together to fight it. “If we can work together for our social wellness, we can be more comfortable and feel more secure. If we work together, we would be at a better place when it comes to security, wellness of mind, and socializing; no matter what our differences, you get more from people when you have cooperation,” she said.

The consultations are supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). UNDP Resident Representative to Guyana, Ms. Mikiko Tanaka, who was present at today’s session, said the UNDP is pleased to support the MSC’s work, as social cohesion serves as a core foundation for peace and development, and is reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals.

“In the context of Guyana, I am very happy to hear that this is a very important issue and objective for the country. This motto Guyana has, of ‘One People, One Nation, One Destiny’, very much captures that aspiration that Guyana has. So the UNDP has been accompanying the process of developing a national strategy for social cohesion under this current administration, and led by the Ministry of Social Cohesion,” she said.

Ms. Tanaka said that, most importantly, it is the voice of the local people that make up the issues and challenges of social cohesion, and what they would like to do to achieve social cohesion. “As a result of all of the consultations, we hope that we get a better sense, at the national level or the regional levels, of the strategic complementary actions needed to really bring the society together,” she said. (GINA)