Race relations, education & business key priorities for youth

IMPROVING race and ethnic relations in Guyana, education, technology and youth in business were identified as the three main priority areas for a number of youth in political organisations and civil society. At least 11 Community Service Organisations (CSOs) and four youth arms of political parties participated in a first Generation in Action Youth Summit, organised by the International Republican Institute (IRI), during November 2020.

The Guyana Chronicle understands that the young people benefitted from a series of virtual training modules and thereafter, each group developed a set of youth priorities which are informed by existing youth policies. On Sunday night, youth representatives presented on these priority areas via a virtual summit. Kenny Valladares, who presented on the need to improve race and ethnic relations in Guyana, said: “This problem has robbed Guyana of much of its potential and has kept us from the goal of unity and development for far too long.”

He lamented that division of Guyanese people along the lines of race has persisted for decades, deepening racial mistrust and strife. He also lamented that there is a seemingly pervasive political culture that exacerbates the racial mistrust. He contended that when racial or bigoted politicians form the government, the policies implemented would reflect their views or attitudes, potentially constraining development for all.

While politics may have had a detrimental effect on real cohesion in Guyana, he posited that politics could also be a powerful tool to bridge the divide and build skills to exist in a multicultural society. “We believe that Guyanese could learn, understand and share feelings for our fellow citizens through education where our differences are taught as Guyanese culture,” he emphasised.

“We also believe that social campaigns and other programmes of government should directly target the public fear; efforts and efforts should be made to build trust and eradicate fear.” The young man also said that legislation should be enacted to build social cohesion; voter education should be done to foster issue-based voting instead of race-based voting; and that focus should be placed on building a culture of bridging differences.

Meanwhile, Vishaul Mohabir, who is visually-impaired, called for there to be greater focus on creating an education system which is conducive for persons with disabilities (PWDs). While speaking on the second priority area– education and technology– Mohabir highlighted that there are only 10 special schools and three special-needs classrooms in Guyana. According to him, this limits the access to educational opportunities by PWDs.

“Special-needs children in the other regions have limited or no opportunities to enter the school system or gain an education,” he lamented, adding, “There are many children with education who are capable and have a desire to learn, however, they still encounter tremendous difficulties in accessing education at all levels.” He called on the Ministry of Education to direct more focus towards bridging that gap for PWDs. Mohabir also said that teachers should be trained to teach children with special needs, there should be learning material which caters for such children and schools should be made more accessible for children with wheelchairs.

And finally, David McLean shared that the young people were interested in: increased access to land for young business owners, increased finance for start-up and business expansion and government partnerships with financing institutions to create financing options for persons who intend to start a business. These solutions, he reasoned, would help to improve the third priority area: youth in business.

“There is a need for innovation among young people so that they can remain competitive with the influx of foreign professionals and investors that would be coming to Guyana,” McLean stressed. The IRI said that these stories will be shared with key national and international stakeholders, including the IRI Guyana team’s Resident Program Director, Dorota Ryzy and members of USAID, the United States diplomatic team and the Guyana National Youth Council (GNYC).

At the forum, President of the GNYC, Dr. Quacy Grant, called on policy makers and political leaders to shape these priorities into policies as part of efforts geared at improving Guyana. Resident Programme Director of the IRI, Dorota Ryzy, also said, “I would like to encourage the Guyanese leaders in our audience to think about how these brave and hardworking youth leaders’ priorities and ideas can be incorporated into policies and actions of the governments and political parties alike.”