Civil society began to attain prominence about fifty years ago as non-state actors outside the political and business communities. The World Bank defines civil society as “a wide array of organisations: community groups, non-governmental organisations [NGOs], labour unions, indigenous groups, charitable organisations, faith-based organisations, professional associations, and foundations.” Under generally accepted principles of democracy and accountability, civil society organisations are expected to have a membership, rules, and objectives. Their leaderships are elected periodically and report to their memberships. In the area of which I am most familiar, the Guyana Bar Association would be considered as a prime example of a civil society organization. There are several other professional organisations in existence which generally confine themselves to their mandated areas.
Continue reading “CIVIL SOCIETY”UNRAVELLING THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE
Russia long-expected land, sea and air invasion of Ukraine on Thursday last is to be condemned. It occurred amidst speculation in the West that President Putin’s ambition is to restore the Russian or Soviet empire of the past. The narrative suggests that he is starting with Ukraine which he claims was always part of Russia and, such being the case, it is now incumbent on the West to do everything it can to stop Russia’s aggression, blackmail, bullyism and attack on democracy by an authoritarian oligarchy.
Continue reading “UNRAVELLING THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF UKRAINE”THE BRIGHT CENTURY BECKONS GUYANA, BUT WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME, AND WHEN?
The spectacular possibilities that await Guyana were revealed at the recently concluded Oil & Gas conference. Government spokespersons, led by President Irfaan Ali, Prime Minister Mark Phillips and Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo, and other officials, revealed plans, set out priorities and declared objectives. The head of Exxon talked about the possibilities of the oil industry and its growing potential. Not only will production increase but discoveries will multiply. The official estimate of reserves is 10 billion barrels, the unofficial 13. Guyanese can begin to think realistically of a potential of 20 billion and hope for 30 billion.
Continue reading “THE BRIGHT CENTURY BECKONS GUYANA, BUT WHAT’S IN IT FOR ME, AND WHEN?”LOVE AND FOOD
Cynthia Nelson has fascinated Guyanese for over a decade and a half with her “Tastes Like Home” articles in Stabroek News. She is an artist of the highest calibre and her supremely creative work in nurturing, creating and promoting Guyanese cuisine with an intensely patriotic enthusiasm, over such a long period, suggests a creative dedication that few can sustain. Cuisine is part of our culture and Ms. Nelson has mastered the unique spirit of our ancestors not only in producing and promoting the foods that they created through struggle, necessity, inventiveness and experimentation. But Ms. Nelson is, by far, the most imaginative interpreter of our cuisine that Guyana has produced. Utilising, combining and manipulating local ingredients and tastes into the most unique and delightful of dishes is no mean feat, and doing so with such dedicated excellence has elevated Ms. Nelson to one of Guyana’s leading cultural ambassadors.
Continue reading “LOVE AND FOOD”MUDWATA
MUDWATA, still defiantly profane and homophobic, is back, daring the authorities to find him and ridiculing their arrest of Keron Bruce. It is not certain whether MUDWATA is a comedian, a campaigner against evil, or a vulgarian seeking to appeal only to the prurient. Some will argue that his profanity and homophobia disqualify him from aspiring to legitimacy. But I rather suspect that he doesn’t care and the people who tune in to YouTube who find him funny, notwithstanding his deterioration in quality since he has been publishing on YouTube. It may that his undoubted talent is not enough to sustain any greater ambitions.
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