President’s College joined in International Day of Peace celebrations yesterday, observing a minute of silence for local victims of violence and collectively pledging to build peaceful communities through grassroots action and initiatives.
To build on the pledge, Principal Carlyn Canterbury announced that the institution will hold an annual essay competition to commemorate World Peace Day, which is to be sponsored by the alumni association.
In recognition of this year’s commemoration and theme, ‘Partnerships for Peace – Dignity for All,’ students participated in a General Assembly, which focused on local initiatives being undertaken to build a more cohesive Guyana, and also featured an address from alumni member Iana Seales.
Referring to the academic institution as a successful model, “of how to manage diversity so that it becomes a source of mutual enrichment rather than a factor of division and conflict,” Seales said that a cohesive Guyana is only possible if the society develops satisfactory ways of coping with the strains and stresses caused by divisions, in a transparent and democratic manner.
“A cohesive society is one which has developed satisfactory ways of coping with these and other strains. This means taking action to reduce inequalities across communities so that divisions remain manageable and do not grow so as to threaten the stability of society,” she said, while noting that the recent roundtable on social cohesion was a welcomed initiative.
Seales, a conflict analyst and former journalist, interacted with students during the address and also used the opportunity to call on the coalition government to prioritise a local peace agenda, explaining that while peace is not an agenda item during elections and or after, promoting a culture of peace is critical for the achievement of sustainable development.
Seales’ address also served as a brief reflection of her time at the school which she recalled was, “peaceful and provided a deep sense of belonging.”
“It was after I left this campus that my consciousness shifted to race relations in Guyana and our divisions that to this day are working to impede our progress as a nation,” she said, while calling on students to reject racism and violence.
In particular, she emphasized that violence against women and girls, in all forms and manifestations must be eliminated.
Further, Seales challenged the students to work every day towards adapting a set of values, attitudes and way of living that rejects violence, prevents conflicts and promotes dialogue and problem solving. “Violence starts with us… peace starts with us,” she added.
Seales also conducted a conflict management workshop with senior staff members as part of the World Peace Day activities.
When questioned about her involvement in the activities, Seales said she is indebted to PC for empowering her through education and for adequately preparing her to pursue favourable social, personal and professional outcomes.
She also spoke of a personal responsibility to return to the institution and assist in building up a stronger, more civic-minded PC.
President’s College is celebrating 30 years of educating the nation’s youth from communities across the country – the school was opened in 1985 by then president Forbes Burnham.
