International candidates

Dec 16, 2025 Features / Columnists, Peeping Tom

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(Kaieteur News) – The world of global politics is like a big, noisy room. The largest and richest countries are the loudest voices. It’s easy for a smaller country to get lost in the crowd.

So, how does a smaller country make itself heard? One of the most effective ways is by having its citizens elected or appointed to top jobs in international organisations. This isn’t just about a personal achievement—it’s a strategy for the whole nation.

Guyana is a perfect example of this. Look at our history. Sir Shridath Ramphal became Secretary-General of the Commonwealth. Mohamed Shahabuddeen served as a Judge at the International Court of Justice. Rudy Insanally was elected President of the United Nations General Assembly.

In each case, a Guyanese person stepped onto the world stage. The international spotlight shone on them, but it also shone on the country that produced them. Their success boosted Guyana’s global reputation and proved that our nation, though small, produces leaders of the highest quality. It’s a smart and peaceful way for a small state to have a bigger influence. We don’t enlarge our presence with size or power, but with the talent and character of our people.

It is the same with our sportsmen and sportswomen who enjoy international acclaim. They put us on the map. Guyana is better known because of its fine cricketers, both male and female.

Our nation’s cricketers, through sheer brilliance and an unmistakable style of play, have stitched the name of Guyana firmly onto the map of world sport. From the legendary Lance Gibbs, whose off-spin mesmerised batsmen and made him the first bowler to claim 300 Test wickets, to the modern-day mastery of Shivnarine Chanderpaul, whose unorthodox stance and relentless concentration became a global symbol of Guyanese resilience, our players have consistently performed at the pinnacle. Their achievements on the storied grounds of Lord’s, the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and across the Caribbean have not merely been personal triumphs; they have been national advertisements, broadcasting a story of excellence from a small nation.

However, as we push for more Guyanese in these top jobs, there is one very important condition. The person chosen must be known to the people of Guyana.

It doesn’t matter if they live here or abroad. What matters is that they have a real connection to our country. Guyanese people should recognise their name and their story. They should carry our experiences, our culture, and our values with them.

Recently, we’ve seen some appointments where a Guyanese name is announced, and people at home ask, “Who is that?” That’s a problem. If the person is a stranger to us, their appointment feels empty. It doesn’t inspire pride or a sense of shared achievement. The special link between the leader and their home country is broken.

Therefore, to ensure this strategy truly serves the national interest and strengthens the vital link between the leader and the populace, Guyana would be wise to establish clear, fixed criteria for future nominations. Such criteria should go beyond professional qualifications to include demonstrated, ongoing engagement with Guyanese society—whether through public service, cultural contributions, or visible participation in national discourse—ensuring that any nominee is not merely a name on a passport, but a figure whose accomplishments resonate authentically with the people whose flag they will carry onto the global stage.

We should actively support more Guyanese candidates for international leadership roles. It is a proven way to raise our profile and contribute to the world. But we must choose candidates who are genuinely a part of us—whose success feels like a victory for all of Guyana.

We do witness the constant parade of envoys each tirelessly championing their nation’s candidate for a coveted post. It is a quiet, persistent campaign waged in international diplomacy. Guyana must learn to play this game. When other nations come to lobby for their leaders to have a place in the sun, we too must be prepared to shine a light on our own. This is not mere ambition; it is a necessary assertion of our sovereign value in the global community. We must marshal our diplomatic resources, articulate the unique strengths of our proposed sons and daughters, and ensure that when the deliberations are held, the distinguished name of Guyana is not merely present in the room, but is spoken with respect and serious consideration for the high office it seeks to fill.

When we get this right, these high-level posts become more than just jobs. They become outposts of Guyanese excellence, allowing our small nation to have a wise and respected voice in the world’s biggest conversations.

 

(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of this newspaper.)

 

 

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• citizens, global politics, International candidates, Peeping Tom

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