The Ethnic Relations Commission (ERC) in collaboration with the Private Sector/Business Community will be hosting a one-day Conference under the Theme; “Promoting the development of harmonious relations between ethnic groups and removing barriers to participation; ensuring equal opportunities and access for all”.

Date: Thursday, November 18, 2010
Time: 11:30am – 7:00pm
Venue: Conference Room, Princess International Hotel, Providence, East Bank Demerara

This Conference is in keeping with the ERC’s Constitutional Mandate outlined in Article 212 D of the Constitution of Guyana under sections (q) and (t):

(q) Identify and analyse factors inhibiting the attainment of harmonious relations between ethnic groups, particularly barriers to the participation of any ethnic group in social, economic, commercial, financial, cultural and political endeavours and recommend to the National Assembly and any other relevant public or private sector bodies how these factors can be overcome;

(t) Monitor and make recommendations to the National Assembly and other relevant public and private sector bodies on factors inhibiting the development of harmonious relations between ethnic groups and on barriers to the participation of all ethnic groups in the social, economic, commercial, financial, cultural and political life of the people.

The Conference will include a Business Lunch where key leaders will address participants followed by a session where Parliamentary Political Parties will have an opportunity to present their “Visions of the Future” to those in attendance.

There will also be a working group sessions which will be done under four sub-themes namely; Human Resources Management, Strategic involvement of Private Sector in governance for National Change, Sole Proprietor Operations, Diversity in Management. These will be facilitated by key stakeholders from the Private Sector.

This Conference will see the participation of Private Sector/Business entities from all ten administrative regions, major businesses and the sole proprietors. This will be a gathering of Chairpersons of Boards, Managing Directors, Chief Executive Officers, Chief Financial Officers, Human Resources Managers/Directors and the Sole Proprietors/Owners.

The Private Sector Commission (PSC), the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce Incorporated (GCCI), the Association of Regional Chambers of Commerce (ARCC) and the Consultative Association of Guyanese Industries (CAGI) are among the entities engaged in the planning and execution of this activity.

In 2010, the ERC in its Strategic Work plan indicated that the Private Sector was the key focus of its activities and as a result the Commission for the year has interacted/engaged over 700 employees/employers from 24 major Private/Public Sector agencies.

During the Commission’s Regional Visits which will commence tomorrow, October 19, 2010 in Regions One, Eight and Nine, major Private Sector/Business Community Meetings will be held. Similar meetings will also be held in all ten administrative regions.

Members of the Private Sector/Business Community who are interested and require additional information, contact can be made to the ERC on telephone numbers 231- 6265, 231-6479, 231-6281 and 231-6473.

Additional information will be provided to the Media in a subsequent Press Release.