Press release 102/2000
(03 August 2000)

Mr Chairman, Dr Martin Boodhoo
His Excellency Mr Jacques Crête, High Commissioner of Canada to Guyana
Justice Donald Trotman, President of the UN Association of Guyana
Justice Rudolph Harper, Chairman of the Law and Justice Committee of the United Nations Association of Guyana
Members of the UN Association of Guyana
Members of the Diplomatic Corps
Members of the Media
Ladies and Gentlemen

I wish, first of all, to apologise for the absence of the Secretary-General, Dr Edwin Carrington, who was unable to attend the launching of this Community Peace Project, due to a prior scheduled commitment related to the strengthening of the Caribbean Community. At the same time, I also wish to assure you of the Secretary-General's tremendous support for this initiative, as a vehicle for enhancing unity and harmony, and strengthening the capacity of civil society in Guyana.

The Community Peace Project falls under the umbrella of the Programme of Governance in Guyana, in which the CARICOM Secretariat is a joint partner with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The Programme of Governance seeks to promote constitutional reform and democratic development, particularly through the increased

participation of civil society. The goal of the Programme is in keeping with the views expressed at the Seventh Special Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), in October 1999, which called for greater involvement of the wider civil society in helping to resolve the situation in Guyana.

The Community Peace Project may be regarded as the Mediation Component of Governance Programme. This Community Peace Component is especially significant to the promotion of better governance, through the building of an awareness of the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts, disputes and difficulties, and the encouragement of reconciliation. The building of better relations between groups in the society by means of constructive dialogue, discussions and mediation could serve to strengthen the foundations of democracy in Guyana.

Peaceful resolution of conflicts and differences will engender a climate of sustainable peace, which is so critical to social and economic development. Political and racial conflicts could only serve to undermine social stability and endanger democracy. Such conflicts could also fragment and paralyse the Community and its Institutions.

The Building of harmonious relations and durable peace, through reduction of conflict, is therefore critical to human security and human development. The persistence of political and racial conflict in any society poses a major challenge to democratic institutions.

The promotion of Community peace in Guyana by the UN Association of Guyana is therefore timely and imperative. In any society where regular conflict exists, the promotion of harmonious relations could only be sustained in an environment where groups and institutions are prepared to confront causal factors head-on. The Secretariat thus applauds the UN Association of Guyana for its courage in undertaking this Community Peace Project. We endorse the view that, based on the respect the Association commands in the society, it is well-placed to successfully implement the Project.

This initiative attests to the Association's commitment to the improvement of governance and the reduction of strife and distrust in the society. The opportunity that the Project provides for the active involvement of civil society should help to improve the spirit and quality of democracy. By addressing the factors that lead to conflict and disputes in the society, the Project should also help to facilitate the promotion of social cohesion and harmonious mediation of problems.

The promotion of Community peace, however, must not only involve mediation measures. It also requires post-mediation activities in order to consolidate gains and restrain the reoccurrence of major conflict. It is therefore hoped that the establishment of Peace Councils and their effective functioning in the various communities would serve to create an atmosphere of sustained good relations.

The building of sustained good relations among civil society and improving governance have increasingly occupied the attention of the CARICOM Secretariat. The involvement of CARICOM in brokering the Agreement called the Herdmandston Accord; in the work of the Audit Commission; and its support for the constitution reform process in Guyana are all well known.

The Community's commitment to the strengthening of good governance is also evidenced by support for the Constitutional Review Commission in St Kitts and Nevis; its participation in the Grand Beach Accord, in relation to the resolving of political issues in St Vincent and the Grenadines; and, more recently, the fielding of Electoral Observer Missions to Haiti and Suriname.

The CARICOM Secretariat is strongly bonded to the ideals Community peace and good governance, embracing respect for human rights (including human development) and the rule of law. Such dedication to the principles of good governance is in line with the provisions of the Charter of Civil Society, particularly the Article (XVII) on Good Governance, which enjoins Member States to "adopt and implement measures to ensure good governance which is just, open and accountable."

The Secretariat regards the improvement of governance as a key factor in promoting a culture of democracy. We are therefore pleased to be associated with the Community Peace Project, as an integral and important component of the Governance Programme in Guyana.

The Secretariat acknowledges CIDA's generous assistance in supporting the Governance Programme in Guyana. The grant for this Project, provided through CIDA's International Humanitarian Assistance Division, Peace Building Fund, will certainly help to strengthen democratic development and improve race relations in Guyana.

The CARICOM Secretariat also commends the UN Association of Guyana on the launching of this important initiative and extends its support and best wishes for the successful implementation of the Project. We have no doubt that this Peace Project will make a meaningful and significant impact on Guyana's society, especially in terms of building unity and trust; promoting greater tolerance and understanding; and increasing racial harmony and respect for individual rights in the Society.

Thank you very much.

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