Civil society forum formed to address governance

Civil society groups have formed a forum to address the governance of Guyana within the ambit of Article 13 of the Constitution.

Article 13 of the constitution says that “The principal objective of the political system of the state is to establish an inclusionary democracy by providing increasing opportunities for the participation of citizens, and their organisations in the management and decision-making processes of the State, with particular emphasis on those areas of decision-making that directly affect their well-being”.

The groups are: The Anglican Church of Guyana, the Guyana Human Rights Association,

Movement Against Parking Meters, the Inter-Religious Organization, the Guyana Presbyterian Church, the Roman Catholic Church, Transparency Institute of Guyana Incorporated, Guyana Rastafarian Community, the Guyana Agricultural and General Workers Union, the Guyana Trades Union Congress, the Private Sector Commission, Red Thread and RISE Guyana.

“The Civil Society Forum is a group of Non-State Actors in Guyana organized, independent of any political policy, programme or identity, under Article 13 of the Constitution, to engage with the State, the Parliamentary opposition and other like organizations on matters of the governance of the State”, the group said.

The Forum says it is identified by the principles to which it subscribes with regard to:

● Respect for the Constitution

● Respect for the Judiciary

● Respect for the rights of citizens

● Responsibility of citizens

● Responsibility to future generations

The group said its purpose is to identify the current critical issues of the day and to address them through its representatives to the government and the political opposition on all matters directly affecting their civil, economic and political well-being and to take whatever action is considered to be appropriate.