The Alliance For Change (AFC) is working on a strategy to ensure that the Indigenous Peoples can be fully involved in the larger development plans of the country.
This is according to Laura George, recently appointed Technical Advisor on Indigenous Affairs to the AFC.
At a press conference yesterday, she said that in light of Guyana’s accelerated development, largely because of the oil and gas sector, the party strongly believes that “Our future is bright if we plan, manage and execute responsibly with the citizens as the centre of focus for development of a fair, just, equitable and democratic Guyana.”
She said that the AFC recognises that Indigenous Peoples, who largely live and occupy territories in the hinterland of Guyana are still to be effectively engaged to participate fully as a collective in the nation’s accelerated development. The promotion of full and effective participation requires that any administration progressively implements the State’s obligations to respect and protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
She said that the AFC recognizes that rights protections of Indigenous Peoples are manifested only once their right to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) is fully respected.
“To this end, the AFC has embarked on the development of a strategy that ensures Indigenous Peoples participation and inclusion result in their own vision and priorities being developed in the larger development plans of Guyana”, she said.
This includes in areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation plans, the extractive industry, hinterland infrastructural development, commercial agriculture, conservation and protected areas programmes, health, education, social services, protection for women, youth, children and the elderly and employment.
