ERC’s goal is to build a Guyana where people work together beyond racial, ethnic lines – Chair

…as youths, community leaders engage in outreaches across Reg 6

The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) conducted extensive stakeholders’ engagements across the three towns of New Amsterdam, Rose Hall, and Corriverton in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) on November 4.
These exercises were led by ERC Chairman Shaikh Moeenul Hack and Commissioners Norris Witter, Pandit Krishna Sharma, Reverend Rodwell Porter, Neaz Subhan, Chandrowtie Sarran and Deon Dick (Ras Khafra). They were accompanied by staff of the ERC Secretariat.
Throughout the engagements, Chairman Hack reiterated the ERC’s vision of a unified Guyana, where issues are addressed from a standpoint rooted in the collective wellbeing of all citizens.
“Our goal is to build a Guyana where people work together beyond racial and ethnic lines for the good of the country,” the Chairman has said.
The ERC’s outreach began in New Amsterdam with visits to the New Amsterdam Technical Institute, the Berbice High School and the Tutorial Academy Secondary School.

A stakeholder meeting held at the New Amsterdam Town Hall provided a platform for open discussions on community challenge s and strategies for promoting harmony.
In Rose Hall Town, the ERC conducted interactive sessions at the Lower Corentyne Secondary School and Corentyne Comprehensive High School, where students had opportunity to learn about the Commission’s role and the importance of fostering positive inter-ethnic relationships.
Another stakeholder meeting then followed at the Central Corentyne Chamber of Commerce, where stakeholders were allowed to discuss ways to address community issues collectively within Rose Hall.
The ERC’s final stop was in Corriverton, where the team engaged students from Skeldon Line Path, Skeldon Secondary, and the Islamic Institute at Number 74 Village, before engaging in a stakeholders’ meeting in the afternoon at the Corriverton Recreational Park.
The full team then ventured into Orealla, where engagements were held with the Toshao, Councilors and residents of Orealla and the neighbouring village of Siparuta under the Orella Benab. Attendees were edified on the role, functions, work plan, and efforts of the Commission in the furtherance of its constitutional mandate. The ERC also utilized the opportunity to engage students from Orealla Primary and Secondary schools.
All of the school engagements conducted in Region 6 were centred around discussions on respect, tolerance and inclusivity, with an emphasis on educating our youths about the importance of living in harmony with all of the ethnic groups residing in Guyana.
Moreover, the ERC invited the Guyana Police Force (GPF) to join in these school visits and stakeholder sessions in order to deliver brief presentations on road safety in recognition of Road Safety Awareness Month in November. The presence of officers was also instrumental in providing clarity on matters within their remit.
Additionally, concerns were raised and addressed throughout all the interactions that were held with the hundreds of stakeholders engaged in Region Six. Notably, concerns that fell outside of the constitutional mandate of the ERC were also noted, with the ERC giving its commitment that the relevant agencies would be engaged to provide relief.
Since being reconstituted in March of 2023, the ERC’s Board of Commissioners has held several engagements with regional officials and stakeholders during outreaches to Regions across Guyana. The ERC remains steadfast in its mission to promote understanding, combat discrimination, and advance tolerance throughout Guyana.