`No room for prejudices' --says President Bharrat Jagdeo in address to the nation Guyana Chronicle August 23, 1999 PRESIDENT Bharrat Jagdeo says there will be no room for prejudices based on ethnicity or gender under his administration, and he pledged to deal with these through mechanisms that he intends to outline shortly. "From my public interaction I know that there exists in some sections feelings of insecurity," he said in an address to the nation last evening. The President also wants to give young people the opportunity to determine their own priorities and a chance to shape the world in which they have to live, work and play. He extended an invitation to the youth arms of the major political parties - the Progressive Youth Organisation (PYO) of the People's Progressive Party (PPP) and the Young Socialist Movement (YSM) of the People's National Congress (PNC) to work along with other youth organisations to form a National Volunteer Corps. "If we work together as young people, we cannot have enemy images of each other. Everywhere I go there is one recurrent topic: jobs for our people. In different parts of the country, many students are graduating and there are limited prospects for higher education and jobs," he said. "...This will be another priority of my administration. Investment is key for job creation. Within a month I will organise a special retreat with the business community to consult with them on some of my proposals to address this issue," he added. President Jagdeo also plans to consult with the labour movement on this subject. "As a corollary to these policies, we will put in place strong foreign policy initiatives to bring trade and economic benefits to the country." He believes that Guyanese need to work toward a comprehensive youth development programme. In the coming weeks the President hopes to meet representative organisations of young people to discuss these issues. But more than this he called for the adoption of new approaches and new attitudes towards young people. "Often they are seen as objects to be taught the realities of life. They are not seen as individuals with their own view of life, with their own and unique aspirations. They are often not seen as equals," he observed. Stating that his Government has embarked on a journey of great promise, President Jagdeo emphasised "we cannot waste opportunities for forging togetherness." The head of state intends to ensure that there would be progressive development of the country, "from Charity to Rupununi, Albouystown to Port Mourant; to every place in Guyana, there would be fair and equal benefits", he noted. The on-going infrastructural works are to be intensified and others put on stream. Already, he has identified some priority areas, including the road to Brazil, the bridge across the Berbice river, the East Canje Reservoir Scheme, MMA Phase 11, new wharf facilities, a deep water harbour and the opening up of new lands in different parts of the country. Of more immediate concerns, the President said: "The episodes of violent and senseless criminal activities remain a high concern of our administration. As Head of State, I intend to send a clear message that crime does not pay: criminals will face the full force and effect of the law." A © page from: Guyana: Land of Six Peoples