Successful innovation on Dumfries Estate can be replicated throughout region – Pres Ali

…says estate fosters innovation & wellness while preserving traditional building skills

A little over a month ago, President Dr Irfaan Ali toured the Royal Dumfries Estate in Scotland, which is known for its textile and other innovative enterprises and according to the Head of State, these innovative practices could be replicated and implemented throughout the Commonwealth.
During a dinner hosted by King Charles III on Friday for leaders attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting 2024 in Samoa, President Ali had the honour of proposing the toast. The Guyanese Head of State used the occasion to reflect on his visit last month to Dumfries House, an estate in Scotland owned by King Charles.
But while the estate is one of many the royal family owns; it is being used to train youths and develop pilot projects for the good of the people of Britain. President Ali described what he saw during his visit.
“I believe that, as a Commonwealth family, if we can all visit that estate and learn about the contribution of that estate to the transformation of that community and witness for ourselves the innovation, we would all want to have such an estate of harmony and innovation in each of our countries.”
“And I think this should be an aspiration of all of us. To work with His Majesty King Charles, on establishing such an estate of harmony and innovation, in each of the Commonwealth member families,” President Ali said.
Ali further urged other Commonwealth leaders to pay a visit to Dumfries House for themselves and expressed hope that King Charles, in much the way Guyana is already partnering with his King’s foundation to improve urban spaces, will also extend this collaboration to other countries too.
“During a memorable day on the estate, I saw the Champion himself at work. Young people, who might otherwise struggle to find work, were being trained and employed, restoring dignity and empowering them to contribute to their communities. Traditional building skills were being preserved, merging the best of the past with the promise of today. Children were receiving STEM education, equipping them for meaningful futures.
“Sustainable housing initiatives offered underprivileged communities a say in society, and a foundation for decent lives. A wellness centre, dedicated to mental health, well ahead of its time, now stands as a vital resource for the National Health Service… and Your Majesty, we hope you’ll be kind enough to share this skill of developing the estate of harmony and innovation, with each of our countries,” the Head of State added.
Presently, the King’s Foundation is helping Guyana to do a city-wide modernisation of Georgetown, the capital city. President Ali had said that Georgetown would be transformed into a more family and pedestrian-friendly space.The city, he had said, would be divided into four sections, in line with international standards for capital cities, including sections dedicated to culture, green walkways, and city parks.
“We’re working on building a city that will be connected on a number of pillars. One, culture and heritage. So, we want, when visitors come, they must walk from Kingston all the way around the city and be able to enjoy the culture and heritage of the city. That means we have to rebuild all our heritage facilities,” President Ali had said recently.
“We have to clean up the city. Do back all the drainage. Make the drainage economically viable, by putting in modern drainage facilities in which you can have parking over the drainage. In which you can have cycle lanes over the drainage. In which you can create greenery along the drainage. And peaceful, tranquil, safe walking circuits throughout the city.”
Added to this is the Government’s plans to plant 50,000 flowering trees in five years throughout urban areas.
Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo revealed only on Thursday last that the Government is working on a project that will see some 50,000 flowering trees being planted in Georgetown and along the coastland areas in an effort to beautify the urban landscape.
The project is being executed by the Guyana Forestry Commission (GFS) and should be rolled out in five years. Currently, the Commission has been tasked to bring an initial 5000 flowering trees from the forests to be planted along the coast. Jagdeo said the plan also includes the purchasing of palm trees from local suppliers for replanting at strategic locations along the coast and in the capital city. (G3)