THE CO-OPERATIVE REPUBLIC OF GUYANA

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1. GENERAL STATEMENT

In regard to the quickly approaching Organization of American States (OAS) Summit, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is ecstatically thrilled to engage in diplomatic relations with our Western Hemispheric neighboring nation states. It is The Co-operative Republic of Guyana’s’ intent to cooperate with all member states in order to solve crucial social and defense related international issues. This state firmly believes that hemispheric success can be achieved through unified and collective action. Increasing globalization has rapidly impacted the possibility of interdependent harmonious co-operation between all members of the Organization of American States; The Co-operative Republic of Guyana wishes to capitalize on this fact by aiding the OAS by helping develop all member states within the Americas.

Guyana fully supports the OAS in its purpose “To strengthen the peace and security of the continent” and “To promote, by cooperative action, their economic, social, and cultural development” throughout all OAS member states. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana seeks to help resolve issues that have a hemispheric wide impact such as regional security, education, and poverty. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana would like to note how it has a history of co-operating with OAS programs in the past. One such program is the Youth Americas Forum, which gives young people an opportunity to voice policy ideas directly towards the government. Enacted in 2016, the Youth Americas Forum represents the commitment that The Co-operative Republic of Guyana has towards advancing civil rights and social equality under the eyes of the law. Guyana also currently participates in the Human Rights of Women living with HIV program which helps women who currently possess this disease and attempts to thwart the spread of this virus by targeting poor and young women throughout Guyana, Antigua and Barbuda, Honduras, EL Salvador, Guatemala, Dominica, and Barbados. As such, Guyana consistently demonstrates a commitment to participating in the OAS. Guyana is confident that working to resolve issues within the framework provided by the OAS is key towards integrally developing every state within the Western Hemisphere. 

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana stands firmly resolute to engage in this year’s OAS conference, in the hopes of strengthening regional cooperation as well as solving ongoing interstate problems pertaining to education, poverty, and regional security.

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II. Particular Statements

A. Committee: General Committee (GC)

Topic One: Ensuring Fair and Transparent Campaigns and Elections

Guyana believes that fair and transparent campaigns and elections are critical to democracy and the stability of the region. In helping to ensure fair and transparent elections, Guyana is proud to announce that its next set of elections will be held March 2, 2020. The appointment of that date has been done in accordance with the Constitution of Guyana. The appointment of an election date was welcomed by the OAS, who, upon the announcement, issued the following statement: “The General Secretariat will continue to follow the situation in Guyana and remains available to provide support as the authorities may require in ensuring the next elections meet the standards of transparency, credibility and integrity, required of all democracies.” In setting the election date, President Granger firmly believes that democracy should be put before the interests of himself or political party. These beliefs lay at the very foundations of the OAS, and President Granger hopes that other member state leaders will take note.

Topic Two: Addressing the Problems of a Shrinking OAS Budget

Guyana is deeply concerned about the budgetary issues of various international institutions, including the United Nations and the OAS. For small states, like Guyana, these international institutions are critical to help protect against external threats, as noted by President Granger, in his address to the UN. Guyana, therefore, is alarmed about budgetary shortages in these critical international institutions.

In addition, as with many other member states, Guyana benefits from OAS programs and activities. For instance, Guyana recently has benefited from a technical and vocational training program. Of the new program, OAS Representative Jean Ricot Dormeus, remarked, “People need good jobs and with good technical and vocational education, they will be able to secure those jobs and even set up their own businesses in the future, so that the country can improve and grow its economy.”

As a small nation, Guyana realizes that it will take the renewed commitment of the most powerful in the world to reaffirm the importance of these international institutions. To their benefit, nations like the United States, were instrumental in helping form and strengthen these international institutions. Guyana firmly believes that while these powerful nations have benefitted from these establishment of international institutions, like the OAS, these institutions have also benefitted nations like ourselves.

B. Committee: Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS)

Topic One: Improving Cooperation on Border Security and Regional Stability

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Acknowledging that OAS member states have historically exercised insight and agility to achieve a fair degree of success in their maintenance of border security and local stability unilaterally, The Co-operative Republic of Guyana believes that elevated regional destabilization of the region necessitates improved inter-state cooperation in order to ensure the achievement of positive trends in the face of threatened border security and regional destabilization. The delegation of Guyana has been proactive in fostering productive cooperation alongside neighboring states in order to effectively address the rippling effects of failing regional stability. Additionally, Guyana has taken extensive measures domestically to accept and accommodate international migrants who have been displaced by political unrest but often faces challenges in this ambition. Guyana eagerly works to provide aid to those who find refuge within its borders but is consistently encumbered by the cultural and political obstacles intrinsic to enduring border disputes of the region. Nonetheless, Guyana remains partnered with nations of the region in taking steps all nations should be taking to effectively and multilaterally encourage lasting regional wellbeing.

Guyana has been vocal in petition before leaders of the OAS and the UN for action regarding oppressive border claims affecting Guyana and other states within the region to no avail. Unaddressed border claims such as these, in league with other serious, unyielding disputes, are the hindrances which handicap member states making in their noble efforts to pursue cooperation with regional neighbors to promote border security and regional stability. The OAS has failed to honor and fulfill the obligations outlined throughout the OAS Charter regarding the observation, address, and resolution of regional and inter-state disputes. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana, citing standing disputes which have gone decades unaddressed by the OAS and which now consistently obstruct cooperation between states of the OAS, calls for a review and revisit of the OAS Charter and the prioritization of all sufficiently aged disputes as high and urgent priority. Understanding that this oversight is the source of the persistent obstruction of diplomatic advocacy for economic, political, and social prosperity, it must be regarded as preeminent and unavoidable in evaluation by the OAS.

Topic 2: Addressing High Rates of Incarceration and Gang Development 

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana would sincerely like to congratulate the OAS for its efforts in addressing the common problem of rising incarceration rates and the formation of dangerous gangs throughout all OAS member states. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana acknowledges that these two issues pose a tremendous issue which can potentially hinder the development of all OAS member states. According to the World Prison Brief, the State of Guyana has eight prison facilities that house a total population of 711 males and 70 females since last assessed in 2013. In 1990 a noticeable spike in the prison population took place, jumping to a rate of 219 prisoners per 100,000. As recently as 2001, this rate has dropped to 205 prisoners per 100,000. The article Guyana Education Stats compiled by nationmaster.com states that since 2007, the high school enrollment rate in Guyana has been one of the highest in currently at Latin America at 93.17%. The literacy rate in Guyana has successfully risen to 98.8%. Increasing education levels are correlated with a lower incarceration rates in this instance. Acquiring an efficient and effective means to counter high incarceration rates and prevent youth from engaging in gang related activities is necessary to cultivate a stable social climate throughout the hemisphere; In Guyana, gangs tend to cause social issues and increase criminal activity where

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present, and high incarceration rates are a burden towards the countries spending. The Joint Operational Business Sector is a local State operated standardized based, youth focused, occupational assignment test. It is developed in conjunction with the local state educational system. By offering a means of after school employment opportunities to at risk youth, the average high rate of incarceration throughout the Americas will substantially decrease overtime. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana humbly offers its services to preventing and reversing these social issues. They pose a fundamental problem towards acquiring social progress throughout all OAS member States.

President David A. Granger stated that, “Guyanese can be assured that there are not going to be prisoners roaming about the city or countryside.” His administration has been very punitive in action towards gang violence, justifying it by relying on a justice system based on general deterrence. The Crime and Violence Prevention Initiatives, via CARIFORUM proposed to train teachers in public schools to address and prevent violence and crime in these locations. Guyana agrees with this initiative. According to the OAS General Secretariat Executive Summary, gangs arise due to social and political exclusion, poverty, and a lack of socio-economic opportunities. In a Study funded by the Open Society Foundation in conjunction with the Libra Foundation, entitled Women, Drug Policies, and Incarceration, A Guide for Policy Reform in Latin America and the Caribbean, on page 3, it was concluded that over 60% of the female convicts currently serving their prison sentence, due to drug convictions, in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Argentina come from impoverished backgrounds. This is also the case in Guyana. These convicts usually support dependents such as children or the elderly and have extremely basic educational backgrounds. These women were clearly not offered opportunities for social advancement and thus were lured into a life of crime. 

As demonstrated by the aforementioned study, a fundamental lack of opportunity is a driving factor for individuals who participate in criminal enterprises such as gangs. When these criminals are caught, incarceration rates in member states rise tremendously. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is confident that through mutual cooperation, all OAS member states can benefit from lower incarceration rates as well as lower instances of gang development. When countries like Brazil are “tough” on crime, illegal immigration into bordering states like Guyana tend to increase. Guyana supports the OAS action in creating the Institutional Strengthening Unit, which helps build effective public policy. Guyana also signed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court demonstrating a willingness to solve criminal problems on a global scale.

The J.O.B.S program is a public sector, youth focused, job placement and growth initiative aimed at curbing gang development and attaining lower incarceration rates over time. Through working with individual OAS member states education departments, a standardized test is taken by 12-18 year old students, with the purpose of providing students at risk of participating in gang violence, a suitable occupation which will prevent their rise towards delinquency and allow them a means to gain practical work experience; further giving them the necessary talents to be socially prosperous and compete for normal social advancement. Thus, these deviant students will not engage in criminal behavior, nor contribute to an increasing incarceration rate. It is projected that the incarceration rate within all OAS member states may possibly decline if this program is implemented. Therefore, the J.O.B.S program will serve to further social and economic prosperity within the Western Hemisphere.

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Committee Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI)  

Topic One: Promoting Youth Participation in Government and Civics Throughout the Hemisphere, increasing attention is being paid to the importance of

promoting participation of youth in government and civics. The Co-operative Republic of Guyana is especially aware and understands the need for combating the issue. Over 154 million individuals fall between the ages 15 and 24 in Latin America and the Caribbean; a large portion of which don’t participate in their own governments and civics. In Guyana, during the 2018 local government election, there was a 36 percent voter turnout. An astonishing 11 percent drop from the 47% in the 2016 election. The delegation of Guyana believes that youth involvement is imperative to the success and future of Guyana and fellow South American States. With a desire to combat the issue from within, the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is working to promote youth to partake in their local and national governments through education.  

The Co-operative Republic of Guyana understands that the Organization of American States (OAS) has already taken steps to mitigate the issue. The establishment of an informal program, the Inter-American Program on Education for Democratic Values and Practices, a program that ensures that states are keeping younger generation of citizens informed on elections and democratic practices. The Delegation of Guyana seeks to expand on the ideals of the program.     

In response to the issues circulating many parts of Latin America, perhaps the area with the largest room for improvement, Guyana could do more for education. The delegation of Guyana proposes Activities for Civic Learning and Engagement (ACLE). Using sports and other activities to encourage the kids within this age group to participate in workshops, community service activities, team building exercises, meetings with community leaders, leadership development. Moreover, this program will captivate the imagination and inspire a movement for youth involvement in Guyana and participating states. The creation of Secondary school programs that will utilize the role of social media as a platform to promote youth engagement. This program would allow the young people of Guyana to contribute to the community development while building their own skills through civic participation. The program will pilot in Secondary schools in Guyana and spread throughout participating nations of the OAS. Moreover, through a combination of investment from the OAS and the participating government’s funds, the programs will be made.  

Understanding that a free after school program would be a costly investment, it is the goal to ensure that the youth in Latin America can fulfill their right to an inclusive and equitable quality education in order to have to tools to partake in their local and national governments.  The program seeks to empower young people of Latin America play an active role in their communities’ development, all the while gaining the experience, knowledge, values and life skills necessary for success in careers, education and community life. The delegation of Guyana is eager to work with other fellow member states to create a simple yet effective change to ensure that we are taking the proper steps to prepare the youth for involvement in government.

Topic Two: Encouraging the Growth of Micro- and Small- Business Development

While much of the modern world continues to advance economically, bringing larger numbers of people out of poverty, the number of people living in poverty in Latin America in

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2017 reached the lowest it’s been since 2008.  With a GDP of $7,919, The Co-operative Republic of Guyana feels this struggle more than most.  Guyana has made many strides in the combating poverty.  Despite the growing economy, the abundance of natural resources, and President Granger’s strides to rid the country of the corruption, the unemployment rate like many South American countries is staggering.  Youth unemployment in Guyana is over 30 percent, with 33.7 percent living in poverty.  The Co-operative Republic of Guyana recognizes this as a direct result of poor-quality education, from poor trained teachers, in a poor educational infrastructure.  While these recent years has seen poverty rise, Guyana understands that the Organization of American States (OAS) has taken steps to combat the issue. 

In 2012, the United States partnered with the OAS in establishing the Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) program which sought to improve and promote growth, innovation, productivity and revenue for small businesses through improvements to their business administration.  The SBDC program provides technical assistance, group training on small business needs, and helps provide market research for clients.  In 2013, the SBDC helped create and retain more than 158,115 jobs, open 26,254 new businesses, and generate $7 billion in new sales and obtain $4.1 billion in new financing. Through this income the program has generated more revenue than the actual cost of the program.  The SBDC program has assisted this growth in five countries- Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Jamaica and Saint Lucia. While the SBDC program focuses on the creation and sustainability of new businesses, the Republic of Guyana believes that education will provide a vital and long-lasting economic relief to the South American nations. 

In response to the pressing issue of poverty in Guyana and fellow South American states, the Republic of Guyana is proposing a solution that will create free education centers which will enable citizens within OAS member states acquire undergraduate education and qualifications.  Research shows that education reduces poverty, boosts economic growth and increases income. Studies conducted by the Global Education Monitoring Report (GEM) revealed that each additional year of schooling raises average gross domestic product (GDP) growth by 0.37%.  The GEM report concludes that supplying developing poorer nations with education could reduce the poverty level throughout the western world by over half.  These statistics, along with the economic stimulation already seen by the SBDC program, reveal that providing education that’s available to all, will help to create economic stimulation that far outweigh the cost of the program.  The solution proposed by the Co-operative Republic of Guyana is the creation of a post-secondary business- oriented education center, the Knowledge Advancement and Economic Expansion, or K.A.E.E. Center.  The program will pilot in Guyana and spread throughout the nations of the OAS, wherein through a combination of investment from the OAS and the participating government’s funds, the universities will be formed.  The program will utilize OAS resources in the hiring of qualified professors and create a uniform structure throughout each country participating in the program.  This would enable professors to transfer to different universities where they are needed, as well as provide educational degrees which enable graduates to pursue their career goals in any of the participating countries.  This function of the of the program also will help to engender greater trust and harmony among the region.  Much as the SBDC has seen dramatic increases in the life of small businesses and employment growth, the K.A.E.E. program seeks to capitalize on their success to foster long last economic growth in the region.   

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While the Co-operative Republic of Guyana acknowledges free education can be a costly investment, the reward will be even greater.  Not only does this program provide hope for sustainable economic, but it is built upon the ideals that any democratic nation should hold.  Education is a human right that is vital in lifting South America out from being among the poorer regions of the world.  Guyana is excited at the prospect of bringing forth a solution to the problem we all face, and believe that as a unified OAS, we can reduce the poverty throughout the region. 

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