Civil society is the “aggregate of non-governmental organisations and institutions that manifest the interests and will of citizens.” Civil society includes the family and the private sphere, referred to as the “third sector” of society, distinct from government and business. Dictionary.com’s 21st Century Lexicon defines civil society as: 1) The aggregate of non-governmental organisations and institutions that manifest interests and will of citizens, or 2) Individuals and organizations in a society which are independent of the government.
Volunteering is often considered a defining characteristic of the organisations that constitute civil society which are often called Non-Governmental or Non-Political Organisations (NGOs or NPOs). Most authorities have in mind the realm of public participation in voluntary associations, trade unions and the like, but it is not necessary to belong to all of these to be a part of civil society. (Wikipedia)
The premise of working relations existing between civil society and democratic political organisations was significantly developed by 20th century theorists of the ilk of Gabriel Almond and Sidney Verba who believed that the role of political culture (read civic involvement in political decision making) are vital for a thriving democracy. These scholars argued that the civic element of political organisations facilitates better awareness and a more informed citizenry who make better voting choices, participate willingly and openly in politics, and they hold government more accountable as a result. This is because the civic element helps to build social capital, they engender trust, and they could be depended upon to promote the values and needs of the people.
This is the crux of our determination to break new ground in
Guyana by introducing several well selected non-political personalities into the new political dispensation. Every member of our coalition is fully aware that now, more than ever Guyana is in dire need of the intellect and the broad, varied expertise of the people who have already been working tirelessly against extreme odds in non-governmental, non-political organisations to develop the social rubric of this multi-cultural nation.
Their presence on the political front will essentially erase the burdensome bureaucracy that now exists between communities and central government which has effectively silenced the voices of our people. The people’s demands for crucial repairs to necessary infrastructure such as bridges, roads and schools are generally ignored, and their requests for meetings with political representatives must go to central government located hundreds of miles away in Georgetown since they (government) have eroded the local government system. The people are unable to acquire advice and guidance on in-country and external markets for the products they produce on their own initiatives. In short, they have been forced to exist on the proverbial boat set adrift without a paddle, without a Captain and no land in sight.
It is extremely painful to listen to the people living, working, and doing business in Guyana’s southern region, particularly Lethem and its satellite communities, who say without ambiguity that they do not feel like they are citizens of Guyana. While these communities are geographically closer to neighbouring Brazil’s southern states and they depend on the people in the border towns on the other side of the Takutu River for their trade, this government has failed them in the most fundamental ways. Their social issues are not attended to, i.e. not between elections. Many of their children are deprived of proper education since there are no schools, institutes or other modern educational facilities there. Those who could afford it send their children to school in Brazil. Farmers receive no governmental support to expand or diversify their crops. The venturesome people who engage in value-added agro processing, e.g. cassava bread and other products, peanut butter, crab and coconut oils, soap and other by-products, receive rare handouts from the Agriculture Ministry, no technical support, and no assistance with funding. This picture could be painted throughout Regions 7, 8, 9 and even Region 10, the community that was deliberately left to stagnate after the bauxite industry failed … but the latter is a tale for another day.
This ludicrous situation will come to an immediate end after the upcoming elections. The first order of business has been to identify some of Guyana’s brightest minds who have agreed to continue their work in the hallowed halls of the Parliamentary House. They will be the true representatives of the people whom they already know and work for. Heading this list is Constitutional Lawyer and academic, Professor Harold Lutchman, a Guyanese well renowned as a man of integrity. His selection marks the first time that someone with little or no known political history has been named as the Representative of the List of a political party.
His selection was not accidental. At age 30 he wrote his Doctoral thesis on the subject of Public Administration with a concentration on Political Science just after receiving his Master’s degree in Government Studies. It wasn’t long after receiving his PhD accreditation that he began to pursue a legal education. He was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn, England’s most prestigious legal institution in 1975. That same year he was admitted to practice at the Guyana Bar.
He had just completed a stint at a University in the Virgin Islands in 1997 when he returned to serve his country. The professor “has traversed all the tiers of academia at the University of Guyana and has left an indelible imprint on every one of them”, according to the plaque he was presented when he departed that institution. In the interim, the professor served on every administrative body of the university, as the Dean of the Social Sciences faculty and Head of the Departments of Political Science and Law, and Management Studies. Among the courses he taught were Public Administration to senior civil servants, and Political Science and Law (including Constitutional Law and Managerial Law).
Dr. Lutchman is a well published author and was in the past appointed to head a large number of commissions related to Public Service reform, labour education and trade unions’ contributions to social growth. As a member of Guyana’s Disciplined Forces Commission, he had spearheaded a probe into the workings of the security forces. His expertise was also recruited by the Board of Trustees to assist with management of the fund for the Caribbean Court of Justice (CCJ).
Come May 12th 2015, the APNU+AFC Coalition, by means of the diverse Nomination List which was submitted according to Elections statute on Tuesday 7th April, will give a resounding voice to all Guyanese across the length and breadth of Guyana. The Term “Parliamentary Representation” will have new meaning. The issues and concerns of our people will have a fertile ground to be heard and resolved through their/our civil and political Leaders.
Our main function would be to transfer social issues into workable strategies in order to preserve Guyana’s many various cultures and at the same time, uplift the standards of living of our peoples.
