20060330 Johanna Cecelia, page 1

Multi-Stakeholders Forum in Johanna Cecilia, Essequibo

Date: March 30, 2006

Region: 2

Venue: JohannaCeceliaPrimary School

Number of participants: 25 persons

Facilitator: Chrishna Persaud

What we can celebrate as positives in Guyana

  1. Guyana is relatively peaceful.
  2. There is unity and togetherness.
  3. There is cooperation among the races.
  4. There is freedom from racial conflicts. Guyana is blessed with racial and religious tolerance.
  5. There are improvements in light, water,roads, schools etc.
  6. There is freedom of movement and speech.

Present local conflicts/areas of tension

Infrastructure

  1. Bad roads.
  2. No proper water supply.
  3. Flooding - bad water management by D&I. Small koker bore leads to flooding.
  4. Overtopping of sea defence at Johanna Cecelia & Maria’s Lodge.Erosion of sea defences.
  5. Playground and houses built on sea defence reserve.
  6. Sanitation law not enforced.

Economy and markets

  1. Over-pricing of contracts.

Employment

  1. No job opportunities.

Social cohesion/inclusion in decision making processes

  1. Authorities do not consult with farmers.
  2. Available jobs are given to one ethnic group only.
  3. Political victimization.
  4. Ethnic discrimination.
  5. Racism/erosion of tolerance.
  6. Discrimination in allocation of houses to Region 2 senior officers.
  7. Selection for schools based on political affiliation.

Education

  1. School drop-outs.
  2. Selection for schools based on political affiliation.

Public Administration

  1. Difficulty in seeing Regional Chairman.

20060330Johanna Cecilia, page 2

Potential for violent conflict

  1. Political discrimination.
  2. Victimization.
  3. Contracts given to one group only.

Concrete commitments and ideas towards overcoming challenges

Involvement of ERC

  1. ERC to look into the process of job allocation.
  2. ERC Chairman must visit Region Two.
  3. A similar conversation should be held for two days.

Social cohesion/inclusion

  1. Work towards greater unity.
  2. More religious tolerance.

Infrastructure

  1. Urgent attention from Drainage and Sea Defence Boards.
  2. D&I Boards must re-install water gauges.

Education

  1. School boards must be appointed by a special commission.
  2. Stop corporal punishment.

Governance

  1. Place people with practical experience in special areas.
  2. Persons with integrity must occupy offices.
  3. Stop corruption from top to bottom.
  4. Enforce the law in relation to sub-standard work.
  5. Establish a truth and rights commission.
  6. All contractors must be technically qualified.
  7. Contracts must be given to all races.The same person who approves a contract must not inspect it.

Any other observations/ process issues

Some participants wanted to disrupt the conversation. Other participants asked them to respect the ground rules. Exercising control, observing the ground rules and talking peace are thus important for this process.

The conversation ended with the following words: beautiful; opportunity to express feelings; optimistic; cordial feelings; nice; time too short; beneficial; long overdue; happy interested; it was quality time; frank; hopeful; disappointed.

Selected Community Representatives for Regional Conference