THE Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) convened its second annual Stakeholder Forum at the Guyana Marriott Hotel on October 31, bringing together participants from all ten administrative regions to discuss Guyana’s sustainable development and the role of youth in shaping the nation’s future.
This year’s forum centred on the theme “Youth in STEM: Transforming Guyana’s Technological Landscape, Building a Solid Future for Tomorrow.” Discussions highlighted how investments in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are empowering young people and fostering innovation, resilience, and self-reliance.
A key feature was a panel discussion with industry and education leaders, including Deedra Moe, Global Manager, Socio-Economic Management, ExxonMobil; Farah Jairam, Air Emissions Advisor, ExxonMobil Guyana Limited; Carlos Baird, Welding Instructor, Leonora Technical and Vocational Training Centre; Jayda Overton, Vice President, University of Guyana Society of Petroleum Engineers; and Nalini Chanderban, Manager, Art Williams and Harry Wendt Aeronautical Engineering School Inc.
The forum also hosted a STEM Mingle session, allowing secondary, TVET, and university students to engage directly with experts in informal discussions. These interactions encouraged mentorship, knowledge sharing, and exploration of real-world STEM applications.
Expanding on youth-driven innovation, the forum transitioned to the broader theme “Rooted in Community, Rising Together: Investing in Tomorrow’s Possibilities,” enabling stakeholders to reflect on ongoing projects, assess impact, and identify opportunities for collaboration across education, entrepreneurship, and community health.
Delivering the feature address, Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Honourable Charles Ramson Jr., highlighted the importance of corporate social responsibility and partnerships like GGI in supporting Guyana’s positive transformation.
From the corporate perspective, Alistair Routledge, President of ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, said, “It’s about reaching out to communities, listening to them, and building a culture vital for the sustainable prosperity of the country.” Lian Jihong, President of CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited, added that GGI represents a long-term investment in Guyana’s people and future, developing skills, confidence, and opportunities for generations to come.
GGI’s tangible impact was demonstrated by initiatives like the FLOW Project, aiming to provide clean drinking water to 58,000 students by 2029, highlighted by Lorna Carlson, Socio-Economic Manager at ExxonMobil Guyana Limited. Additionally, Annette Arjoon-Martins, Managing Director of the Guyana Marine Conservation Society, praised GGI’s support in the Barima-Mora Passage through water-harvesting projects, solar lighting, and marine research initiatives.
Supported by the Stabroek Block co-venturers — ExxonMobil Guyana Limited, Hess Guyana Exploration Limited, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana Limited — GGI continues to advance capacity-building programmes across Guyana over a ten-year period, focusing on education, economic development, and community health, aiming to strengthen the workforce, enhance business competitiveness, and lay the foundation for sustained economic growth.