CITIZEN engagement on the political front now happens with encouraging alacrity and confidence, with government meeting with the small parties in a magnanimous reaching-out to consult with Guyanese on the upcoming national budget. It is instructive that this political cooperation revolves around the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C), with all political fronts invited to sit at the table with the government. The PPP/C has shown a powerful penchant for partnerships, participation, and political cooperation, thus setting a fine example for how the rest of the society should conduct the task of building the nation. This spirit of cooperation and reaching out and engaging the society is one that, like the leaders of the small parties are doing, all Guyanese would do well to cultivate and imitate. On the cusp of reaching its glorious potential in its 55th year as an independent nation, Guyana today marches with confident, assured steps to taking up its rightful place in the world, with economic development set to exponentially multiply by leaps and bounds over the next few years. Every hand of government is on deck preparing the country for this upward direction, this rapid rise to progress and prosperity, every member of the talented, thinking governance leadership team committed to the task at hand. Society is a complex construct, and so parallel to economic development, the country would want to also focus on other key areas, such as, for example, human resource development, social programmes and safety nets for the vulnerable and marginalised — which indeed this government excels in, and other intangible necessities of a complex world-class, modern nation.

While one cannot expect government to take on everything for society’s advancement, the big issues such as guiding the economy, overseeing the social cushions for citizens, and guarding the democratic fabric require government leadership. However, Guyanese citizens also have an important role to play in Guyana’s overall progress. One area where citizens could really make a difference is in organising and managing the humanities sector, that aspect of society where exists culture, entertainment and human excellence, including scouting and nurturing talented, potential persons who could be national and international stars, and where thrives the softer side of the Guyanese soul. The concept of the body politic embodies the idea of what constitutes a nation-state. There is the physical nation, which requires socioeconomic development, maintenance and constant growth. But there is also the emotional side to the nation, with such things as the Guyanese character, soul and spirit. These inner aspects of the Guyanese nation-state every Guyanese should care about, and make whatever effort possible to make a difference.
The education system stands responsible for developing this aspect of the nation, the humanities, just as it fosters scientists and technicians and tradespeople and persons of craft and skills; but the humanities are a particularly unique endeavour, because the sector involves artistic expression and intellectual pursuits, such as generating poets, authors, artists, sculptors, musicians. dramatists, move- makers and citizens who know how to awaken an aesthetic appreciation for life as a Guyanese people, and thinkers and originators of new ideas for the society.

Guyana would want to develop a national atmosphere where these ambassadors of the nation would be scouted, nurtured and cultivated, and unleashed upon the world as homegrown icons, role models and heroes. The University of Guyana and the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sport serve to facilitate and foster such an underpinning to the society. However, citizens could play their role on the stage of this inner development of Guyana, with the humanities driving a creative, organic, alive field that touches every corner of the land. At one time, drama flourished, with constant plays and performances at the National Cultural Centre and the Theatre Guild. Indeed, household names developed on that stage, stars who brought a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction to their fellow citizens. Places such as the National Park as a natural setting for outings and family gatherings, and the national museum and library and that famous seawall evening and weekend hangout, all these could be cultivated into expressions of Guyana’s artistic, creative, talent-driven national life. Classical musicians coming together to form a national orchestra that regales citizens at different occasions and places around the country, including steel pan players and other creative souls, would bring such a welcome sound to the national ear.
The country should do all it can to revive and improve and develop the Guyana Prize for Literature as a signature international event, and to celebrate, maybe in a Hall of Fame or a Walk of Fame avenue, the great, accomplished Guyanese who have graced the earth – such as, for example, Shakira Baksh.

These are the finer things of life that make a nation, that cause citizens to feel the heartbeat of this Guyaneseness in their souls, and wake up every day to tackle the task of living in this land of peace, prosperity, and progress. The role of Georgetown in fostering this face of Guyana, as a nation of creativity and originality and playful endeavours of the humanities, this Editorial column dealt with in yesterday’s edition. But how magnificent if this kind of goodwill, this intangible asset, this soul side of the nation, could be spread around the country, into every town – Anna Regina and New Amsterdam, Linden and Lethem, Bartica and Corriverton, and stretch into the hinterland communities. Over the years, people like Neaz Subhan, Ron Robinson and Richard Naraine have played such a role in the society, developing strong, humanistic pursuits. Indeed, Guyana hosts a range of writers, artists, sculptors, dramatists, and creatives who became household names. As the country moves into this era of prosperity and progress, with such rapid socioeconomic development happening, it would serve citizens well to be engaged in a national humanities sector, and even to see it become a regional undertaking across the Caribbean, and even go international, maybe connecting with diaspora communities around the world. The country has achieved a huge breakthrough, with political parties joining hands and heads and hearts to work together for socioeconomic progress. Thus, all Guyanese would do well to come together to build a flourishing humanities sector, to entrench a creative, soul-satisfying spirit to the land.