ERC highlights role of education in combating racial discrimination

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) commemorated another milestone on Monday with an event at the Umana Yana to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, alongside the anniversary of the reconstitution of the Commission in 2023. Although both observances officially fall on March 21, the event was held on March 23 to allow for broader participation. Attendees included members of the diplomatic corps, Government officials, opposition parliamentarians, international partners, fellow Commissioners, and key stakeholders. Delivering opening remarks, ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack stressed the importance of sustained national efforts to foster unity. “Guyana’s diversity remains one of our greatest strengths, but it requires deliberate and continuous effort to ensure it is preserved as a unifying force. Harmony cannot be left to chance; it must be actively cultivated, protected, and reflected in how we engage with one another each day,” he said.

He added that addressing racial discrimination requires proactive engagement, education and dialogue, particularly among young people, and that every citizen has a role to play. United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator to Guyana, Jean Njeri Kamau, highlighted the global significance of the day and the need for collective action. She noted that while social media connects people, it can also amplify division if misused. Kamau called for inclusive spaces, continuous dialogue and policies that promote equality and non-discrimination as key measures to combat racial bias. A Harmony Club presentation by students of Stella Maris Primary School was a highlight of the programme. The students performed a symbolic unity exercise, reflecting values of inclusion, respect and shared identity, underscoring the Commission’s focus on nurturing these principles from an early age. The feature address was delivered by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, who noted that Guyana has made meaningful progress in addressing racial discrimination but acknowledged that further efforts are required. She highlighted the country’s tradition of multiculturalism and religious tolerance as strengths to be safeguarded and strengthened. Teixeira also pointed to national initiatives, including expanded access to education, women’s economic empowerment programmes, housing projects, and development in hinterland communities, as steps toward greater social cohesion and equity. The programme included a cultural performance by the National School of Dance, portraying the diversity of Guyana’s six peoples and the interconnectedness of the nation’s cultural expressions.