Dear Editor,
Last Friday and Saturday, November 14 and 15, I participated in a consultation on Solid Waste Management, organised by Rev Raphael Massiah and the First Assembly of God. The input, exchange and conclusions were all very commendable and, given the high level of engagement and enthusiasm, very much made it a hope-filled forum.
Particularly encouraging for me was to see a group of about seventy people, young and senior, representing different groups in society, meeting around a topic of national importance with a passion and a politeness towards the ‘other’. The topic was ‘Solid Waste in Georgetown,’ and the mutual passion of these different groups was directed at analysing this concern and identifying initiatives to clean and to keep clean. In the process there was the sharing of views, debate over points, and interested and polite listening, which served to bring everyone to a better understanding of the topic and to build consensus towards action. The stress in this process of ‘appreciative inquiry’ was on “what I can do” – ie taking on civic responsibility and not simply listing tasks for government and other agencies to do.
If only, I thought, the unified spirit and inspiring dynamic of those present at this consultation, who had really put their own country first, via the exchange, the listening, the respecting of the other and together the formulating of action, could find a permanent place in the whole country, in NGOs and other civic organisations, in the marketplace, between persons of differing races. This was not an illusion; these were real people around a real issue articulating real options. It was a real testimony of what could happen in other fora. I also noted and was hopeful about the enthusiastic and competent input by young presenters on the dynamics of collaboration and buy-in. It was especially good for the young persons participating to have exposure to a wholesome and constructive approach to issues and to life in general.
The spirit in which this consultation took place was a bright light for the whole of Guyana at a time of flux. May more lights like this shine from our nation to illuminate a way forward. Thank you Rev Massiah and the First Assembly of God.
Yours faithfully,
Francis Alleyne OSB
Bishop of Georgetown
