By Frederick Halley
GUYANA-born Janet Naidu is recognised for her literary contribution to poetry and other writings, having published three collections of poems – Winged Heart, Rainwater and Sacred Silence.

Janet also initiated formation of the Pakaraima Writers’ Association to encourage writers and poets to support each other in their writings and publications. She served as its president for 12 years and continues to participate in community readings while encouraging writers to join the group. Some of Janet’s poems have been academically published in the University of the West Indies Journal on Women’s Studies.

Being someone who is not content to rest on her laurels, Naidu is the brainchild behind the recent formation of Guyanese Canadians for Unity (GCU) which was recently launched in Toronto, Canada and saw participation by attendees from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Winnipeg, and Saskatchewan.

The aim of the GCU is to work to bring together Guyanese Canadians and friends of Guyana to preserve and foster principles of human rights, equality, social justice, democracy, peace, prosperity, and unity for the progressive development of Guyana. It also aims to foster social engagement and the preservation of Guyanese heritage within the Guyanese-Canadian community.

According Naidu, who is also president of the entity, the timing is right for communities to be revived, and to come together as Guyanese-Canadians, whether as immigrants from Guyana, or are Canadian-born.
It is also an opportunity to bring people together, “given our diverse cultural heritage, perspectives, and identities,” she said.

“[We] have been coming together in many ways through the years, through formations of organisations to serve our community here and participate in the wider Canadian landscape. Many of our folks have contributed significantly to this great journey, and many continue to also give back to Guyana through donations to worthy causes.”

Additionally, “We are at a pivotal point now – to come together and be re-energised. To help one another feel valued as part of this society, and at the same time to give back to Guyana, where possible. We want to be positive, to be united, and build on our strengths. Many of us want to have the Canada-Guyana connection – perhaps to go back, visit, travel, and some may want to volunteer in needed causes.”

Apart from Naidu, the GCU’s board of directors includes First Vice-president – Jito Naraine; Second Vice-president – Nadira Somwaru; Treasurer – Terrance Charles; Secretary – Fawzi Wahab, Membership Secretary – Roslyn Bacchus; Assistant Secretary/Treasurer, Sachie Ramnauth, and Social Media Management Officer – Frederick Halley.

Speaking at the virtual launching, Consul General (ag) Gerald Whyte reminded the audience, which included Rosalinda Rasul, Head of the Diaspora Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & International Cooperation, that during the Inaugural Virtual Diaspora Conference, which was held last year, H.E. President Mohamed Irfaan Ali said that the “Diaspora is a key element in the New Guyana that will bring with it great opportunities and prosperity.”

According to Whyte, the GCU is eager to further build and strengthen existing relations with the Guyanese Community in Canada and also in their homeland.

“Like other diaspora groups in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), I am confident that this organisation will work diligently to foster increased social engagement, unity- that feeling of community and importantly the promotion of democratic values, peace and prosperity.”

Whyte extended congratulations to the principals and members of the GCU and wished them every success in all of their further endeavours.

In her remarks, Rasul pointed out that the launch could not have happened at a better time, since “Guyana – as you are well aware – is currently going through a new wave of development that will usher in new lifestyles, greater opportunities and spectacular transformation like never seen before.

“The icing on the cake for the country in light of this transformation is a nation that exemplifies unity in diversity. We are a growing nation built on the contributions of six different groups of people, sharing common values such as respect for democracy, equality, respect for human rights and a drive for greater prosperity and social justice for its people.”

According to Rasul, this is important because no country can truly enjoy the benefits of development if its people cannot live in a space that is enclosed by unity, respect for each other, and respect for key human rights and values. She pointed out that the President of Guyana Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali has often spoken about “One Guyana” and every project, initiative, decision and action undertaken in Guyana aims to promote a country where diverse peoples can, in the purest form, display oneness.

Rasul said she was happy to see that the diaspora in Canada has been thinking of the role they can play to this end and the ways in which they can help promote and uphold democratic principles, foster greater equality, social justice, peace, prosperity and unity for the greater development of their homeland.

Rasul commended those persons who came up with this idea and crafted the guiding principles and goals of the association. “I commend the new board who will plan and execute various ideas that show the beauty of Guyanese people when unified and what things they are able to do for their country as a result.

“On behalf of the Government of Guyana, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Diaspora Unit, I wish you every success in your endeavours.”

Naidu emphasised that there is no time like now, with all that’s been going on around us in the world, to come together – as one people with our diverse cultural heritage and our diverse identities. “Let us create a sense of belonging within our community.”

According to Naidu, “we continue to be patriotic Guyanese living in Canada as Canadians. We are proud of the diversity of our heritage, be it our ethnicity, religion or other lifestyles.”

She pointed out that “we have been coming together in many ways through the years, through formations of organisations to serve our community here and participate in the wider Canadian landscape. Many of our folks have contributed significantly to this great journey, and many continue to also give back to Guyana through donations to worthy causes.

“We are at a pivotal point now – to come together and be re-energised. To help one another feel valued as part of this society and at the same time, to give back to Guyana, where possible.

“We want to be positive, to be united and build on our strengths. Many of us want to have the Canada-Guyana connection – perhaps to go back, visit, travel, and some may want to volunteer in needed causes.”