Guyana Peace Council re-launched

The Guyana Peace Council (GPC) founded in 974 by late President, Dr Cheddi Jagan was on Tuesday afternoon re-launched at Red House, High Street, Georgetown.
Elected President of the Council is Member of Parliament Clement Rohee, with the Vice President being Juan Edghill. The Treasurer was named Mark Constantine along with Executive members Bhisram Kuppen, O Satyanard, Bibi Shadick, Andrew Bishop, Mitra Alli, Hydar Ali, Carvil Duncan and Badri Persaud.
The Council began operations since August 17, 2016, but was officially re-launched on Wednesday.
Under the theme “In pursuit of peace”, the objective of the Council is to encourage people from around the world to work together to contribute to peace, progress and development.
According to Rohee, there are many issues that divide peace and solidarity around Guyana and around the world, which prompted the re-launch of the Council.
“In our view, our preference is to find a harmonious blend of the national and international. After all, our mission in this peace movement is to educate and enlighten Guyanese about war and peace. We would be failing in our responsibility if we did not do so. It is a huge task but we must in the end fulfil our mandate. There is also the need to involve both young and old persons in the peace and solidarity movement,” Rohee explained.
Rohee added that the GPC will work in solidarity with peace movements around the world advocating for the reduction of military budget, the freezing of armed sales and the conversion of military spending etc.
February 20 is observed around the world as International World Day. Member of the Local Government Commission, Norman Whitaker, said the objective was the decision to re-launch the GPC.
“The United Nations General Assembly named February 20 as the Annual World Day of Social Justice. The overriding objectives behind this decision were discussed and agreed on, that is among the representatives of the member states, and to make the conquest of poverty and full employment, as well as stable safe and just society, the overriding objectives and so also the need to put people at the centre of development plans” Whitaker said in his address.
Member of the GPC and former President of Guyana, Donald Ramotar in his remarks reflected on the life of Dr Cheddi Jagan, “The re-launching of the peace council is something that Jagan gave a lot of his strength and energies toward promoting and throughout his life, he continued to fight not only for social justice in Guyana but for social justice for the world as a whole and he was a champion for world peace”.
For the year, over 12 activities have already been planned by the Council that list of activities concluding with Human Rights Day to be observed in December.