African organisations on Saturday met and expressed displeasure at the process used by the Guyana Government to create its programme for the observance of the International Year for People of African Descent and the group further called for the postponement of the launch date.
A release yesterday via the African Cultural and Development Association said that at the behest of several African organisations throughout Guyana, the largest groups met yesterday to discuss the Guyana Government’s programme for the celebration of the UN event.
The release said the meeting was convened following the postponement twice of the programme’s launch and the setting of January 16th, 2011 as the new launch date. The release said that 12 organisations – including one which represents 16 groups – attended the meeting. It did not give the names of the groups. The meeting passed the following resolutions:
“Displeasure with the process used to create the Government’s Programme as it did not properly consult with major African groups, organizations and stakeholders in Guyana.
“To recommend to the Government of Guyana to postpone the current 16 January `launch’ date until a mutually agreed upon National UN Year for People of African Programme is established.
“To ask all African organizations to support a process in which there is full and informed consultation with all major recognised African organizations.
“To create a Committee that was mandated to immediately meet with (Director of Culture) Dr. (James) Rose and the Ministry of Culture , Youth & Sports by Tuesday 11 January 2011, to receive a copy of the Government approved “Year for People of African Descent “Programme and Budget and to be informed of the role and funding of the United Nations in the Year’s activities.
“For the group to (liaise) with African organizations throughout Guyana to receive their input as a process to reach a mutually agreeable Program for Guyana in this year.”
The release said that the meeting also affirmed that the UN Year for People of African Descent was a very important International event.
