The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Torch of Unity run is moving across Guyana on the third leg of its journey across the Region.
The torch, which arrived at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport on Monday 10 March 2003 on a Suriname Airways flight, will tour the Essequibo Region, the oldest town of Berbice, New Amsterdam, the mining town of Linden and then on to Capital City, Georgetown for a special ceremony on Sunday 16 March 2003. His.Excellency, Bharrat Jagdeo, President of the Republic of Guyana, Government officials, CARICOM Secretariat's representatives and the Diplomatic Corps are among a wide cross section of the society expected to attend the ceremony.
The CARICOM Torch of Unity run will pass through all Member States and Associate Members and will involve the youth and the differently able to heighten the appreciation of a “Caring Community.”
The inaugural lighting of the torch was held in Trinidad and Tobago on 14 February 2003 as part of a series of activities to start the year-long anniversary celebrations to mark the establishment of the Community. Hon. Patrick Manning, Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago lit the symbolic Torch at a ceremony which coincided with the official start of the 14 Inter-sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM.
After an eleven-day run across the twin island Republic, the Torch of Unity then moved on to Suriname on 25 February 2003 where it spent five days travelling across that country before coming to Guyana. The torch will leave Guyana on Monday 17 March 2003 for Barbados for the fourth leg of the run across the Community.
