In the near future, the European Union (EU) hopes to partner with the Government of Guyana in the area of security.
This was stated by EU Ambassador Robert Kopecký in his speech at the Rotary Club of Georgetown’s World Peace and Understanding celebrations at the Georgetown Club on February 17, 2013.
The Ambassador said that aside from the cooperation with the government of Guyana, the EU has been partnering with a number of organisations to implement small programmes under the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR). He said that the EU recognises the important role of civil society in the development and consolidation of democracy and the rule of law, and respect for all human rights and fundamental freedoms.
Helping civil society to become an effective force for political reform and defence of human rights through capacity building is the aim of the EIDHR and a core objective of the EU’s development policy.
The Ambassador shared his perspective on the significance of World Peace and Understanding Day.
He said that Rotarians will know that advancing world peace and understanding is an important focus of Rotarian endeavours. He quoted from the fourth part of the Objects of Rotary, “The advancement of international understanding, goodwill, and peace through a world fellowship of business and professional persons united in the ideal of service.”
He said that this is the impetus for numerous service efforts and other cooperative ventures among Rotarians from different parts of the world and it is the reason why Rotary International has a long-standing, close collaboration with the United Nations and many of its member agencies.
He noted that every year the anniversary of the founding of Rotary, 23 February, is celebrated as World Understanding and Peace Day. He thought it appropriate also that on this day, Mashramani, the celebration of Guyana as a Republic takes centre stage. He said from his experiences last year this event is an example of togetherness in the life of the Guyanese people.
The Ambassador said that as a national of the Czech Republic and as the representative of the European Union in Guyana, speaking on this topic is a proud moment for him. He pointed out that the European Union was the recipient of the 2012 Nobel Peace Prize award for advancing the causes of peace, reconciliation, democracy and human rights in Europe.
He added that the European vision and model of peace and understanding is very much the same as that of Rotary International. In its announcement on 12 October 2012, the Norwegian Nobel Committee said its decision was based on the stabilizing role the EU has played in transforming most of Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace. The EU’s most important achievement, according to the committee, has been “the successful struggle for peace and reconciliation and for democracy and human rights”. The work of the EU represents “fraternity between nations” and amounts to a form of the “peace congresses” cited by Alfred Nobel as criteria for the Peace Prize in his 1895 will.
He pointed out that the European Union was the 21st international organisation to win the award since 1901. The prize was conferred in Oslo on 10 December and the EU has given the award money (€930,000) to projects supporting children who are victims of war and conflicts.
