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UG Vice Chancellor touts a future without the ‘proroguing’ of parliament
Respect and tolerance needed for a stable government
At the United Nations (UN) Consultative Youth Forum yesterday, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana
Vice Chancellor of University of Guyana Jacob Opadeyi
(UG) Jacob Opadeyi, stressed the importance of mutual respect and tolerance among future world leaders to ensure “stability” within government systems.
The Vice Chancellor envisioned that such a future would lead to a country without the prorogation of its parliament.
“Envision for yourselves a future with a government system which has no ‘No-confidence’ [motion] and no proroguing of parliament because there is respect for one another,” said Professor Opadeyi. His speech advocated for the corporative efforts among youths, in order for the country to develop on the international stage.
The forum was held at the Princess Hotel, Providence East Bank Demerara (EBD), where youth representatives from organizations across the country gathered to discuss “The Future We Want Post-2015”.
It represented an initiative started by the UN. The initiative is part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It aims to reaffirm the organization’s commitment toward ending poverty while ensuring sustainable development for all nations.
Also present at the forum were chairperson to the event Shawn Caleb, Resident UN Coordinator Khadija Musa, and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport, Dr. Frank Anthony.
Making a virtual appearance from Jordan, via Skype was the UN Secretary General’s Envoy on Youth Ahmad Alhendawi, who took questions and engaged with youth in the audience.
In the UG official’s speech, he also highlighted the need for “educational equity” amongst schools in Guyana. He stated that education must be the top priority for any nation, in order for its citizens to benefit from what its youth population has to offer.
Professor Opadeyi, remarked that all schools should have the same “prestige”, which some of the country’s top schools, like Queen’s College, share. He added that schools are entitled to the same qualified teachers as their counterparts.
Further, the Vice Chancellor stated that equity in education will lead to “equal rights” for Guyanese citizens. He posited to the youth audience that education is vital in fostering respect and tolerance amongst their peers. This will in turn teach them to respect the rights to which everyone is entitled to.
Prof. Opadeyi added that such a future can exist for youths, if they are willing to discontinue some of the misguided legacies that affect the operations of Guyana. He explained that this would be in keeping with the progress and history that youths throughout the world are leading.
“No matter what we do, one of these days we will have gays and lesbians as presidents,” said the professor, “calling them our daughters and sons-in-law.”
Currently, the UN recorded that 1.8 billion young people make up the world’s population. For Guyana, 60 percent of its population consists of persons between the ages of 15-35. This falls within the UN’s definition of persons who qualify as youths.
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