The British High Commission on Wednesday recognised the achievements of Get Safe Online Ambassadors in Guyana in promoting online safety.
The ten Get Safe Online Ambassadors, who work for the National Data Management Authority (NDMA), were welcomed by the British High Commissioner to Guyana, Jane Miller. A release from the High Commission said that the Ambassadors in recent months, have taken online safety training to numerous locations across the country, especially schools, providing valuable online safety awareness sessions for the next generation of internet users. They also provided in-house training for their colleagues at the NDMA.
The Get Safe Online Ambassadors who conducted the training are: Muriana McPherson, Latoya Etkins, Irshad Nasir, Melissa Vandeyar, Rovin Scarf, Taruna Mangar, Stephan Joseph, Chrison Jack, Renard Jacobis, and Miracle Singh. Collectively, they conducted numerous sessions over a two-month period across October and November 2023 reaching thousands of people – predominantly children. The sessions focussed on protecting identity, sharing information safely and how to avoid online threats such as ransomware.
Schools visited included: Lodge Secondary, Georgetown; Skeldon Line Path Secondary; Fort Wellington Secondary; Soesdyke Secondary, East Bank Demerara; New Amsterdam Multilateral; Leonora Secondary; and Vreed-en-Hoop Secondary.
As a result of their work and community efforts, the reception was held in celebration of their success as well as to award them with certificates.
Get Safe Online is a UK-based resource designed to help individuals and small businesses stay safe, secure and confident when using the internet.
Miller in her remarks, spoke of the contribution of the Ambassadors. “I commend the invaluable contribution of the Get Safe Online Ambassadors programme in bolstering cybersecurity awareness, especially among Guyana’s youth. Safeguarding personal data through robust security measures is crucial for privacy and trust in online interactions. This programme’s dedication and effectiveness highlights its immense value in equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital landscape securely. Such initiatives underscore the UK’s steadfast commitment to innovation as well as enhancing global cyber resilience.”
CEO of Get Safe Online, Tony Neate, thanked the Ambassadors for their tireless efforts. “Our Get Safe Online Ambassador scheme epitomises what we do – striving to help individuals and small businesses to use the internet safely, securely and with confidence wherever they are in the world. These Get Safe Online Ambassadors have done some fantastic work here in Guyana and we are delighted to see their efforts being rewarded today. We thank them for their tireless efforts and hope that they continue to continue their excellent work”, he said.
Persons wishing further information on Get Safe Online can visit its website at www.getsafeonline.gy
