The Civil Society Forum (CSF), which comprises nine groups, underlined four priority areas during a meeting on Tuesday with President Irfaan Ali.
A statement from the CSF on Wednesday said that it discussed its four priorities — developing a civil society agenda, strengthening the legal architecture for civil society, improving the performance of key state institutions and helping to heal Guyana’s socio-political wounds.
In this context, the statement said that discussions focused on the One Guyana Commission, the Guyana Police Force, single window systems to make it easier for citizens to engage government services, and the bolstering of mechanisms for citizens to participate in policy making processes.
The statement said that both the President and the CSF signalled their interest in a partnership between government and civil society that is based on a ‘new 2-way relationship’ creating the possibility for future collaboration, regarding matters of national importance.
The CSF signalled its willingness to learn more about government’s plans in areas related to the Forum’s four priority areas. The Forum also pledged support for efforts to promote transparency and citizen inclusion in policy making processes. Several follow up actions were identified, in a bid to foster a deeper relationship between citizens and government.
Members of the CSF expressed gratitude for the dialogue and assured that they are willing to engage moving forward.
The President was accompanied at the meeting by Attorney General Anil Nandlall and Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Gail Teixeira.
CSF said that it is a coalition of organizations, including Electoral Reform Guyana (ERG), Guyana Trades Union Congress (GTUC), Heal Guyana (HG), Inter-Religious Organization (IRO), the Roman Catholic Church (RC) and Transparency Institute Guyana Inc. (TIGI).
