ERC concludes community dialogue meetings

Oct 22, 2008 News

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) yesterday held its final Inter/Intra Community Dialogue Meeting at the Annandale Secondary School, which culminates a series of sessions held in various communities under the theme: ‘Building trust through dialogue’.
Chairman of the ERC, Bishop Juan A. Edghill, noted that since the ERC began its work in 2004, the Commission has been working assiduously to promote harmony and good relations among Guyanese through consultations with political parties, civil society, youths, women’s organizations, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
The Chairman said that as a result of the Lusignan and Bartica massacres, “the ERC felt it necessary to guard against the stereotypical perceptions that were engulfing the minds of the citizens. We at the ERC recognized that the best solutions to conflicts are not wrought through revolutionary means but through dialogue. It was on this note that the “Inter/Intra Community Dialogue” was launched with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).”
Commissioner Cheryl Sampson noted that the ERC has been visiting communities and yesterday’s activity wraps up the hosting of several meetings which commenced in June.
Sampson, in alluding to the theme of the meeting, said that she hopes that participants build trust through dialogue and active participation during the group sessions.
Resident Representative Acting, UNDP Didier Trebucq expressed hope that the meeting would be fruitful, with participants sharing their views during the interactive session and making recommendations.
Those present yesterday were divided into groups and shared their views about issues affecting their communities and made recommendations to address those issues. All groups were led by trained facilitators and the contributions of the participants were documented.
At the end of the group sessions, facilitators shared the contributions of their group with all those present.
Substitute Commissioner for the Private Sector John Williams said that “this has been a fantastic meeting. This is what the ERC is about, getting the people in the community to talk about issues and move on.”
“Communities represented here have differences but at the same time similarities. It was interesting to hear communities talking together and it is something we should continue”, Williams said. These meetings commenced on June 16, 2008 at the Beterverwagting Primary School and concluded on October 18, 2008 at St. Andrews Lutheran Church at Chateau Margot. During this period, twenty-nine community dialogue meetings were held and approximately 1200 were recorded.
The recommendations made at these meetings will be compiled into a report and sent to Parliament so that leaders can understand the problems citizens on the East Coast of Demerara are facing and design developmental strategies to deal with the most crucial issues.

Latest News

ERC concludes community dialogue meetings

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Windies break home Test drought with 201-run win over Bangladesh

President Ali sees sports as ‘centrepiece’ of...

Amazon Warriors trounce Qalandars in opener

Shepherd excited for IPL journey with RCB

Romeo Hunter snares Sub-Junior and Open gold and...

Rockstone inaugural Street Classic Championship...

Features/Columnists

A psychological profile of a control freak

Rising Gun Crimes in the Caribbean: Urgent Action required by all

The ends are what matter, according to Dr. Jagdeo

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]

ERC concludes community dialogue meetings

Share this:

Related

Similar Articles

The Glenn Lall Show | November, 20th, 2024

Follow on Tik Tok @Glennlall

THE BLUNT OF THE DAY

Sports

Features/Columnists

Publisher’s Note

Weekend Cartoon

Bridge Watch

Demerara Harbour Bridge

> Berbice Bridge […]