MOSC to partner with several religious organizations
− launch of a religious conference in September
− emphasis on community-based projects
− Bahá’í core group is set to soon be established
DPI, Guyana, Friday, January 18, 2019
The Ministry of Social Cohesion hopes to encourage all religious communities to play a greater role in social cohesion within their respective communities for 2019.
“We have to understand the implementation of social cohesion in Guyana is to change the hearts, to change the behaviour of persons, to encourage persons to be more harmonious, to become more acceptable to certain diversities, to be more respectful to others and to build a unified country,” Acting Programme Coordinator, Natasha Singh-Lewis told the Department of Public Information (DPI).
Acting Programme Coordinator Natasha Singh-Lewis.
She explained that it is part of the ministry’s mandate to unite the people of Guyana in hopes of creating a cohesive society as it is the foundation to improve the quality of life in keeping with the government’s commitment of the ‘Good Life’.
This, she said, includes emphasis placed on the ministry’s two-day Diversity Education and Inclusion training aimed to inform and equip persons at the community level to better understand the country’s diversity. Thus far, 14 intensive workshops conducted across the country have benefited 532 persons.
It was highlighted that the ministry will continue to focus on building bridges with the various religious communities in Guyana. This has led to the establishment of core groups with the Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Rastafarians.
According to the Acting Programme Coordinator, the ministry is also currently in talks with the Bahá’í community to become involved in the work of the ministry.
In addition, the ministry will also place focus on the community-based projects established under the Diversity Education and Inclusion training as to ensure it is managed properly. Singh-Lewis said it is the hope of the ministry that the various religious communities will play an integral role in managing these projects.
The ministry also set to launch a religious conference in September, a first for the country and the ministry. It is currently being conceptualized as one of the ministry’s major events for the year, according to the Acting Programme Coordinator.
By Neola Damon.
Image: Giovanni Gajie.