–Minister Walrond says; reaffirms gov’t, CARICOM’s call for second International Decade for People of African Descent

MINISTER of Tourism, Industry and Commerce, Oneidge Walrond, on Friday, reiterated CARICOM’s call for the establishment of a Second International Decade for People of African Descent.

In her address on behalf of the Government of Guyana and CARICOM at a high-level event in New York, marking the closure of the first Decade, Minister Walrond emphasised that the proclamation of the International Decade for People of African Descent in 2014, and the subsequent adoption of a comprehensive programme of activities led to increased global awareness of the contributions and challenges faced by People of African Descent.

This, she said, served as a basis for the crafting of initiatives geared towards the preservation of cultural heritage and education on the pervasive systemic racism entrenched in the legacies of slavery and colonialism.
“The International Decade has also provided much-needed impetus for many governments, institutions and individuals to rewrite the narratives of the past which had been promulgated for centuries – shedding light on the egregious unspoken truths and preserving the dignity of the victims of slavery and the transatlantic slave trade,” Minister Walrond said.

The minister related that the progress in implementing the programme of activities should not be seen as a stop-gap measure, but more so as part of an ongoing effort to ensure the rights of all are equally protected and respected.
“We must all acknowledge that the full recognition, justice and development of People of African descent have not been fully realised as the legacies of slavery and colonialism still negatively impact the lives of people of African descent,” the minister stressed.
Despite the challenges that remain, Minister Walrond expressed CARICOM’s optimism that the multilateral system will build on the accumulated knowledge and evidence gained during the Decade.
By fostering open and inclusive dialogue, she said, the international community can work collaboratively to address these challenges in a pragmatic and effective manner.