THE Green Conversation was taken to the mining town of Linden with residents there being urged to develop their communities in a sustainable manner.

The civic-engagement forum took place on Friday at LICHAS Hall, Linden, under the theme, “Oil Revenues for Social Development and Environmental Management – the Sovereign Wealth Fund.”

Giving expert remarks was Professor Gary Dirks, Director of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability at the Arizona State University.
Dirks stated that Arizona State University takes the idea of sustainable development very seriously.

“It is extremely important that when we talk about sustainability, we also need to gain conscience that there are many populations within the world that need to be developed, in fact, sustainability means man and nature thriving together,” Dirks said.

Dirks pleaded with Lindeners to develop their communities in sustainable manner.
“As we develop let’s not pollute, as we develop let’s not kill off nature, as we develop let’s not be unfair to populations. However, we should look at adding value to the crops that you produce…let’s be responsible.”

Dirks was part of a panel that explored various avenues of development that can come directly or indirectly from the developing oil and gas sector. The other panelists were Elroy Adolph, Vice-Regional Chairman of Region 10; Stallum Payne,a member of the Linden Chamber of Commerce; Kenisha McTurk, Vice-President of the Linden Youth Leaders; and Sam Wright, Environmental Engineer.

McTurk noted that youth should play an active role in discussions such as the Green Conversation, in order to be informed about opportunities. However, she believes that the youthful voices are not being heard.

“It’s hard being a youth in Guyana from my perspective. We go at these forums and we don’t have a lot of youth participation and as such, I believe that a lot of time our voices are not heard,” McTurk noted.

Adolph added that going green and sustainable development should be part of the school curriculum in Guyana, in order for them to be engaged in the development of their communities and country.

Adolph said, “I think this conversation should continue for the next five years. It’s a healthy conversation. We must adapt ourselves to changes in Guyana. The government has a vision.”

Green conversations create open, non-partisan spaces for persons to engage in conversations related to their needs and priorities, in ways that help them to participate in the national conversation about securing a sustainable future for Guyana.
This is made possible through raising awareness, having meaningful engagements and shaping the future.

Areas to be targeted by the end of September, 2018, are East Demerara and New Amsterdam. Bartica and Lethem will be targeted in October, 2018.

Green conversations are made possible through a partnership among the United Nations Environment Programme, Conservation International – Guyana, the Department of Environment, World Wildlife Fund-Guianas, the University of Guyana and the Ministry of Finance, with support from other government departments and agencies.