THE Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) has expanded its community outreach in Region Four with the launch of a Harmony Club at Kuru Kururu Primary School and a stakeholder engagement that brought together more than 100 residents and community leaders to discuss ethnic relations, development and social cohesion.
The Harmony Club was launched on Thursday at the Kuru Kururu Primary School, where more than 30 pupils participated in activities promoting tolerance, mutual respect and appreciation for Guyana’s ethnic and cultural diversity.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and forms part of the ERC’s efforts to promote harmonious relationships among Guyanese by encouraging young people to develop an appreciation for diversity and peaceful coexistence.
ERC Commissioner Ras Khafra (Deon Dick), addressing the pupils, said the values promoted through the programme should extend beyond the classroom and become part of the children’s daily interactions.
He encouraged the students to embrace differences in backgrounds, beliefs and cultures while maintaining respect for one another.
The programme has now reached more than 300 children across participating schools, providing structured activities aimed at strengthening their understanding of diversity, tolerance and mutual respect.
The ERC said the initiative is also intended to have a wider impact as participating children share what they learn with their families, peers and communities.
Deputy Chief Education Officer, Development, Volika Jaikishun, welcomed the initiative and pointed to its alignment with the Ministry of Education’s ongoing anti-bullying efforts.
She said the Harmony Club provides another avenue for students to develop positive relationships with their peers and extend those values to their families and wider communities.
Kuru Kururu Primary School Headteacher, Vonetta Kellman, also welcomed the programme, emphasising the importance of helping children recognise and appreciate both the similarities and differences within Guyana’s diverse society.
The Kuru Kururu launch adds to the ERC’s expanding Harmony Clubs programme, which began with pilot initiatives at Stella Maris, St Gabriel’s, Comenius, St Ambrose and North Georgetown primary schools.
The programme has since expanded to Mahdia and Micobie in Region Eight and Kamarang in Region Seven.
Later on Thursday, the ERC held a stakeholder engagement at the NAREI Extension Centre in Kairuni, attracting more than 100 residents, community leaders and other stakeholders from Kuru Kururu, Hill Foot, Yarrowkabra, Soesdyke, Swan Village, Samsville, Sandville and Circuitville.
The session provided residents with an opportunity to raise concerns and share experiences and perspectives on ethnic relations, community development and social cohesion.
The Commission also used the engagement to explain its constitutional mandate and functions while receiving feedback on issues affecting the communities.
The engagement was led by ERC Chairman, Shaikh Moeenul Hack and included Commissioners Norris Witter and Krishn Sharma, as well as Chief Executive Officer (ag) Oma Devi-Sukhu.
Hack said community engagement is necessary to ensure that development is accompanied by inclusion and consideration for the concerns of residents.
He noted that Guyana is undergoing significant development, including investments in roads, highways, schools, hospitals and other infrastructure, but said the benefits of development should extend beyond physical projects.
“Development is most meaningful when the people it is intended to benefit are empowered to participate, feel included and valued, and live in a society characterised by peace, mutual respect, love, harmony, and unity,” Hack said.
He said the ERC’s community engagements are intended to provide a platform for residents to have their concerns heard and, where appropriate, addressed through the Commission’s constitutional mandate.
“When we engage communities, it is not simply about listening,” Hack said. “Where concerns fall within the Commission’s constitutional mandate, we will take the necessary steps to address or advance them.”
He added that matters outside the ERC’s remit would be referred to the relevant agencies for consideration and follow-up.
The chairman said the approach is intended to ensure that community concerns are directed to the institutions capable of addressing them.
The ERC said it will continue its regional outreach and community engagements as part of its constitutional responsibility to promote harmony, peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and good relations among Guyanese.
