CPA encourages nation building, sustainable democracy in Guyana

Apr 01, 2016 News

---

By Abena Rockcliffe-Campbell
Should the seminar be successful, Guyana will be able to count the benefits to be derived from open, non-prejudiced talks and negotiations between government and opposition on nation-building.

The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA), Guyana Branch, yesterday launched a two-day seminar for local parliamentarians. Quite fittingly, the forum is being held under the theme “Negotiation and nation building.”
The seminar seeks to provide mechanisms for enhancing the working relationship among Members of Parliament; discuss parliamentary practices of other Commonwealth Parliaments with the local Members of Parliament and apprise MPs of the recent developments of the Commonwealth and the role of the CPA.
Also, CPA hopes to provide MPs with a better understanding of financial scrutiny and administrative support for the operation of an effective committee system, as well as provide clarity on the use of parliamentary procedures and practices.
Delivering the feature address at yesterday’s opening ceremony, Prime Minister Moses Nagamootoo commended the CPA for its efforts at advancing open governance, democratic governance and best parliamentary practices.
He said that in tangible terms, the CPA promotes a convention of Members of Parliament and the staff of Parliament working with each other to enhance the law-making processes and facilitate reviews of Government functions and policies.
However, the PM said, “…in the context of Guyana, it had seemed elusive to attain this cohesion.  Though we celebrate 50 years of our attainment of Independence, our Golden Jubilee, we still live under the shadow of a colonial legacy of division, ethnic polarization and political discord”.
Nagamootoo pointed out that Guyana held 10 General and Regional Elections and three Local Government Elections, but these were occasions for momentary celebrations. He said that those events brought no lasting solution to Guyana’s need for national unity.
The Prime Minister admitted that electoral politics has highlighted and dramatized the fragility of Guyana’s parliamentary system.
“In 2011, the parliamentary majority swung in favour of the opposition, and in 2015 the pendulum shifted and favoured the Government, in both cases by a razor-thin majority of one.
In a parliament such as ours therefore, negotiation becomes a political necessity.  Negotiation has to be the tool to skillfully carve out from the almost impregnable fortress of parochial and partisan political interest, the broader outlines of nation building,” Nagamootoo emphasised.
The Prime Minister pointed out that the benefits to be derived from such a platform of unity are far reaching and deeply impactful.
He charged a room full of fellow parliamentarians to, “consider what it means if we all work towards equal rights and representation at all levels for all citizens regardless of ethnicity, gender, age or geography; preservation and application of fundamental human rights for all; adherence to the separation of Powers and open governance that prioritizes citizen participation, accommodation and sound ethical conduct of persons in public office”.
Nagamootoo said that his government salutes the CPA for the post-election seminar for all MPs to allow them to benefit from the learning of best practices and procedures in other jurisdictions.
“It is a fitting theme: “Negotiating and Nation Building.” Both are intrinsic for sustainable democracy and for a viable society.  Therefore a broad range of national stakeholders must come to the table to build an enduring partnership among Government, Political opposition and civil society groups.”
Nagamootoo added that his government aims to facilitate dialogue amongst national stakeholders and to practice an open-door democracy based on consultation and inclusion.
He said that the coalition government sees the need to negotiate out of any potential political and constitutional crisis, ethnic tensions and social inequities.  We must ride on a new wave of democracy that is multi-party, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural. In this regard, political dialogue with the opposition is important.
Nagamootoo said that prospects for forging a common purpose to engage in dialogue for reform and nation-building are always difficult.
“Yet it is precisely in these circumstances when trust has taken a beating, that such an investment in dialogue and negotiation is most needed. Negotiation is a key tool in dispute resolution; it is a tool that gives both sides a sense of belonging and security, where each side emerges as a winner.”

---

---