Social Cohesion is a priority of national importance

Jul 05, 2015 APNU Column, Features / Columnists

(Excerpts from an address to the National Assembly of Guyana by the Minister if Social Cohesion Hon. Amna Ally MP on Friday June 26th 2015)

Social Cohesion is not a new concept. In Europe, for example, it is considered to be the flagship concept which reminds people to be collectively attentive to and aware of any kind of discrimination, inequality, marginality or exclusion. Right here in Guyana the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) started work on social cohesion but the APNU+AFC coalition government will take Guyana to another level fostering National Unity and cohesiveness.
Social Cohesion is a complex cultural, psychological and social phenomenon which demands a broad-based approach which includes stakeholders at all levels. There is an obvious nexus between Social Cohesion and nation building. Ours is a country with peoples of diverse origins, histories, cultures, religions and even languages, and it will be a challenge to bring it all together so that Guyana can move forward.
In his address to the ceremonial opening of the Parliament of Guyana, His Excellency the President David Granger said;
“Government will introduce measures to promote social cohesion and protect vulnerable groups. We shall work towards healing the rifts between social groups in the country. We shall re-establish cordial relationships with civil society, religious organisations and trade unions. We have the responsibility to restore the integrity and viability of working people’s and non-governmental organisations which have been gravely undermined. Guyana cannot become “One Nation” if gross disparities persist between the hinterland and the coastland, between the educated few and the semi-literate mass, between the very rich and very poor. We shall foster growth in a united Nation in which cooperation prevails over confrontation.”
Being cognizant of the ills of our society and having regard for the establishment of this key Social Cohesion Ministry and with its objectives in mind, a five-year strategic plan will be implemented.

Ø   The five-year strategic plan will emanate from a Roundtable scheduled for September 3rd 2015 at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre. This forum will include the involvement of International Stakeholders.
Ø   The involvement of faith-based organisations
Ø   Working closely with commissions especially the Ethnic Relations Commission.
Ø   We will develop programmes with our schools, with our cultural organisations with our Social Protection Agencies, Indigenous Organisations, Human Rights Activists and many others to ensure that our initiatives are geared to achieve the objective of Cohesiveness.

Let me proudly acknowledge the input of International Organisations, Embassies, and Faith- Based Organisations, Civil Society and many others who have come forward and expressed their desire to support the Ministry of Social Cohesion to achieve its objective. People are just overwhelmed with the idea of working together.
It is time for social cohesion to underpin all National and Local Government priorities.
It is time for the inclusion of integrated economic and social development.
It is time for us to end discriminatory practices.
It is time that we eradicate inequalities.
It is time to promote and preserve all indigenous cultures and knowledge.
It is important that this APNU+AFC Coalition Government accelerate this change, since this will improve the quality of life of all people. Our youth, our women, our folks with disabilities, are all important components for the development of Guyana.
The Social Cohesion Ministry will build capacity to drive the socio-economic agenda in the country.
The respect for human dignity and equality, the promotion of freedom, the rule of law and democracy, the improvement of material wellbeing and economic justice, the enhancement of sound family and community values, upholding honesty, integrity and loyalty, ensuring harmony in culture, belief and conscience and peaceful co-existence are all indeed vital ingredients for the success of Social Cohesion.
Social Cohesion should be perceived by every Guyanese as a priority of national importance, therefore leadership at all levels should sanction it. Whether you are a politician, church leader in the Private Sector, Civil Society– All must be involved. It must come from within us. I want to make it very clear this Ministry is talking about uniting all of Guyana, regardless of political affiliation. We live in one country and our work must be to develop and create One Nation.