Minister Rodrigues-Birkett launches Diaspora project in Washington

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, on Friday evening launched the Guyana Diaspora Project (GUYD) at the Embassy of Guyana in Washington, DC, a  project  designed to compile data about the resources, skills and level of interest which is available in the Guyanese diaspora.

Persons and organisations who wish to assist in Guyana’s development can submit their information online through a dedicated website or by way of social media. The information obtained would allow for skill sets and resources which are available in the diaspora to be matched and channelled toward development needs in Guyana.

Minister Rodrigues-Birkett informed the gathering, which comprised representatives of Guyanese associations and other nationals, that “We cannot develop 83,000 square miles with 800,000 people.” The Minister explained that the Government was moving away from viewing emigration primarily as a brain drain and was viewing it as an opportunity to extend the available development resources beyond Guyana’s confines.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett at the launch of the Guyana Diaspora Project in Washington

Head of the Guyana country office for the International Office for Migration, Mr. Rui Reis explained the role of the IOM in working along with the Government of Guyana to design and implement the project, which he said was receiving favourable responses. The IOM made a visual presentation explaining how the data would be collected and utilised.

The Minister fielded a wide range of questions about the goals of the project, as well as current issues of interest. She identified health, education and information technology as some of the areas which could benefit from the project. She pointed out that the private sector would also be able to make use of the information collected.

The project was originally launched in New York by President Donald Ramotar last September and subsequently launched by Minister Rodrigues-Birkett in Toronto, Canada, and London, England, prior to last Friday’s launch in the US capital.

Ambassador Bayney Karran welcomed the gathering to the event, which had been timed to coincide with the 43rd Republic Anniversary. He thanked them for braving the wintry conditions to attend the event.