By Gabriella Chapman

SHE’S long been associated with things afro-centric, and for the past 10 or so years has been franchise director of the Miss Emancipation Pageant, held every August as part of the annual celebrations to mark the abolition of slavery.

She’s Dr Melissa Varswyk, an alum of St Joseph High, and the latest in her exhaustive list of international achievements is being the recipient of a prestigious award for her dedication and sterling contribution to the International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD), which she picked up last week in New York.

The award was conferred on her by the organisation, Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) in association with the United Nations (UN), which, as its name implies, identifies high achievers of African descent and under 40 the world over, who have been making positive contributions in ther respective areas of expertise to the promotion and recognition of people of African descent.

A medical doctor by profession and the only Guyanese honoree, Dr Varswyk has had the distinction of being tasked with chairing, earlier in the year, the first-ever summit of the UN-led International Decade of People of African Descent, held here over four days in March at the Marriott Hotel.

She’s also currently working with the Costa Rican government on implementing their Plan of Action for the Decade, which plan it is hoped can be adopted by other nations.
Another baby of hers is working on bridging the communication gap between Africa and the diaspora by making Guyana the in-transit hub of the continent.

Dr. Varswyk explained that since the historic declaration, back in December 2013, of the Decade, which runs from 2015 to 2024, she has formed a Summit Committee, which meets, plans and executes projects that aid in the development of African lives, and promote and fulfil the objectives of the Decade.

The purpose of IDPAD, Dr. Varswyk said, is to strengthen national, regional and international cooperation in relation to the full enjoyment of economic, social, cultural, civil and political rights by people of African descent, and their full and equal participation in all aspects of society.

The theme for the International Decade, therefore, is: “People of African Descent: Recognition, Justice and Development.”

And the main objectives are to promote respect, protection and fulfilment of all human rights and fundamental freedoms by people of African descent, as recognised in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; promote a greater knowledge of, and respect for, the diverse heritage, culture and contribution of people of African descent to the development of societies; and to adopt and strengthen national, regional and international legal frameworks.

Dr Varswyk said there is a lot more that is needed to be done in Guyana to fulfil these objectives; and there is a lot that has to be addressed to enable development.
Upon receiving this award, she commits to continue making positive strides for the development of Afro-Guyanese.