Dialogue continues on the Future of Green Jobs and Sustainable Businesses
DPI, Guyana, Thursday, March 01, 2018
The ongoing series of the ‘Green Conversation’ continued with the public on Wednesday, at the Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown. This is being organised by the United Nations Environment Programme, in collaboration with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy, and other groups.
After several presentations by various officials, they fielded questions from an enthusiastic crowd that sought clarity on the topic of green jobs and the government’s vision for the economy.
Head of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers.
Head of the Department of Environment, Ndibi Schwiers explained that the government’s vision is in the best interest of its people.
Schwiers said, “the vision that we have for the green economy is to ensure that we develop the country along a pathway that is not going to adversely affect our utilisation of our natural resources, our people and in any way limit the development of the country.”
She added that “while the government has this overarching vision, it is important for you as Guyanese to say what your vision is for the green economy. I believe that when we have a full appreciation of that, we can then merge your vision with the government’s vision to building a stronger vision for the economy.”
Among the attendees was University of Guyana’s Faculty of Earth and Environmental
Sciences student Shania Wilson. She described the session as informative, “The entire session helped me personally to understand why the green economy initiative is not a cost and is actually an investment; and the long-term profits of this investment. Sometimes it’s difficult to see how putting money into something that you are not 100 percent sure of, and how it is going to turn out.”
She added that “it actually showed how it is going to turn out for you in the long run. So the green initiative is really a good thing and people need to see things for the present and look into the future and see how it is going to benefit you in the long run.”
Architect, Dahlia Durga believes the conversation was fitting for her, due to her profession. “The session was very informative, and I advise everyone to start thinking green. Think about global warming and see how we can reverse some of the effects of it.”
Making presentations at the event were International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director Claudia Coenjaerts, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) Representative Johannes Dobinger and Habitat for Humanities Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rawle Small.
The ongoing series of ‘Green Conversation’ is being held under the theme: “Green Jobs and Sustainable Businesses”.
Attendee, Shania Wilson at the ongoing series of the Green conversation.
Attendee, Dahlia Durga at the ongoing series of the Green conversation.
Stakeholders of the Public and Private Sector at the ongoing series of the Green conversation.
By: Crystal Stoll