THE constitutionally appointed Ethnic Relations Commission, which held its first meeting on August 26, 2003, sees education and awareness as being its major focus.
Chairman of the Commission, Bishop Juan Edghill at a press conference yesterday declared: “We see ourselves as contributing to getting Guyanese to be more tolerant of each other, to embrace ethnic and other differences and develop unity in diversity. In addition, resolving conflict and hostility and building a strong nation are the challenges which we are addressing.”
One of the goals of the Commission is to have a greater cross-section of the Guyanese people involved in its work and it is envisaged that one of the ways to achieve this is by the formation of Ethnic Relations Committees within the Regional and Neighbourhood Democratic Councils, Community Development Councils, businesses and other stakeholders, Edghill disclosed.
He added: “We are also embarking on the creation of media and information packages to inform the country of our mandate and work.”
As part of its work programme the Commission plans to conduct Conflict Transformation Training and to host a series of Film Festivals throughout the country as a medium to introduce types of conflict and develop strategies which were employed elsewhere to resolve these conflicts.
Since the Commission began operating, Edghill said it has received nine complaints, but he noted that receiving complaints is only one of its 24 responsibilities adding that it has embarked on a scientific analysis of race relations which encompasses only state and private agencies.
Asked about its financing Edghill said it is being financed form the Consolidated Fund as well as from the donor community.
Further queried as to whether financing from the donor community would not jeopardise the independence of the Commission, Edghill replied in the negative explaining that salaries and operations of the commission are wholly funded from the Consolidated Fund and only specific projects receive financial support from the donor community.
Edghill rejected the notion that the Commission has pronounced that teaching of six races in Guyana should be discontinued, pointing that it was among recommendations received by the Commission, and extended an apology if such an impression was created.
The Ethnic relations Commission was constituted under the Act of parliament No. 11 of 2000-Constitution (Amendment) Act.
The Commissioners were elected from the major religions, Private Sector, Women and Youth Organisations and the Trade Union Movement.