| – ERC ChairmanThe Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) is aware of the complexities regarding racial tension in Guyana, and is of the view there is need for concerted confidence building,Nike Air Max 97 Australia, Chairman of the entity, Juan Edghill said yesterday.Along with this, there is also the need for engendering of trust, acceptance and understanding between and among all ethnic groups to lessen racial animosity and to bolster faith in the institutions that are tasked with governing the nation, he said.Edghill was at the time speaking to the media about the upcoming Inter/Intra Community Dialogue.“The ERC recognized the best solutions to conflict are not wrought through revolutionary struggles but through dialogue and participatory democracy.”Therefore, he added, the Commission will be seeking through the Ethnic-Based Conversation, to create a peaceful atmosphere for dialogue among the ethnic groups and facilitate them in producing meaningful changes in their interactions with each other.“It is envisaged that among other outcomes, the Conversation will contribute to greater understanding and acceptance of the cultural diversities of all races in Guyana.”The ERC with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will begin its first in a series of Inter/Intra Community Dialogue Meetings – to be conducted in Regions Four and Seven – in the Beterverwagting/Mon Repos area on June 16.A Memorandum of Understanding between the ERC and UNDP was signed on May 14, last,Wholesale Nike NFL Jerseys, outlining the international organization’s support for the programme.The programme seeks to bring racially exclusive and missed communities particularly those that are perceived ‘trouble spots’ together, to talk among themselves and with each other.According to Edghill, the Inter/Intra Community Dialogue was first conceptualized by the ERC in 2007 and included in its programme of activities for 2008.“It was the view of the Commission that the process for overcoming ethnic problems must begin in communities where people interact and face on a daily basis, the consequences of racial and ethnic animosity.”In the aftermath of the massacres in Lusignan and Bartica, he said, the Commission prematurely launched the dialogue with a number of organized meetings on the East Coast of Demerara, Bartica and riverain communities to assist families of victims and residents with the healing process.“The Inter/Intra Community Dialogue will take the form of an inclusive, facilitated forum for face-to-face exchanges of information, sharing experiences,China NFL Jerseys, honest expression of feelings, discussion and devaluing of stereotypical ideas and clarification of perceptions on race and ethnic relations in Guyana.”It is expected that from this exercise, leadership will emerge to articulate the interest and values of the communities, so that dialogue will translate into public action.Among the objectives of the Inter/Intra Community Dialogue is encouraging the understanding, acceptance and tolerance of the diversities among the ethnic groups through dialogue in a harmonious environment.In addition, it seeks to forge solidarity,Cheap Wholesale Jerseys, especially among African and Indian Guyanese concentrated communities.“The ERC anticipates a gathering of people,Wholesale Jerseys, who never seriously engaged each other in open and honest but respectful conversation,” Edghill noted.The Inter/Intra Community Dialogue Meetings will be conducted from June to September.The commission will be conducting consultations with representatives from the Chinese, Mixed Race,Cheap Authentic Jerseys, Amerindian, East Indian and Portuguese Diasporas.The purpose of these consultations is to provide each group with the opportunity to talk about their perceived needs, highlight the issues that affect them and submit recommendations as necessary.Later in the year, the Commission proposes to host an Ethnic-based Conversation, bringing together representatives from among all of the ethnic groups in the country. |
