20060409 Bladen Hall, page 1/2

Multi-Stakeholder Forum in Bladen Hall, ECD

Date: 9 April 2006

Region: 4 NDC: Paradise Village

Venue: Bladen Hall Secondary School

No. of participants: 23

Facilitators: Cheryl Frank and Kenneth Daniels

What we can celebrate as positives in Guyana

1.  Holidays where people can mix together.

2.  Lighting up of East Coast highway.

3.  Opportunities given to persons to go abroad for medical treatment.

Elements of a vision for Guyana

1.  Peace for all.

2.  Cooperation among politicians.

3.  Security.

4.  One Guyana.

5.  Equality for all before the law.

6.  More sporting facilities in the communities.

7.  Stamp out racial problems.

Present local conflicts/areas of tension

1.  Rastas not receiving equality of treatment at the Police station.

2.  Cricket ground in poor condition and there should be more recreational facilities in Vigilance South.

3.  Trenches need clearing.

4.  Roads and crossroads in disrepair.

5.  Residents are in a state of fear due to racial unrest in nearby areas.

6.  Youths do not have a proper recreational ground or library to use during their spare time.

Concrete commitments and ideas towards overcoming challenges

Environment

1.  NDC should be more responsive to local environmental conditions, i.e. drainage, road repairs and street lamps.

2.  Dig drains on the reserve and clear trenches.

3.  Repair road and crossroads in the community.

Security

4. A vigilant policing group should be established in certain areas and make their presence felt.

5. A balanced law enforcement agency in the area.

6. More Police patrols are needed at election time.

Youths

7. Set up a national library department at Stratsphey Primary school.

8. Rehabilitate the Stratsphey South Playground.

9. Provision of more sporting opportunities in the community for youths.

Any other observations/process issues

The meeting had to be cut short a bit since the residents were fearful of staying until night fall due to unrest in the nearby areas.

Community Representatives for Regional Conference

Two adult males and one male youth were selected for the coming regional conversation. There were only two ladies present and they both declined nominations. The names of the selected persons were taken by the ERC assistant coordinator David Persaud.