The Fifteenth Meeting of the Council for Human and Social Development of the Caribbean Community (COHSOD XV) was convened at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel, Georgetown, Guyana on 19-21 October 2006 under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Anthony Wood, Minister of Education, Barbados.
In attendance were: the Hon. Bertrand Joseph, Minister of Education, Antigua and Barbuda; Hon. Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education and Labour, Belize; Hon. Shaik Baksh, Minister of Education, Guyanam Hon. Dr. Leslie Ramsammy, Minister of Health, Guyana, Hon. Mansoor Nadir, Minister of Labour, Guyana, and Hon. Desrey Caesar Fox, Minister within the Ministry of Education, Guyana; H.E. Gabriel Bien Aimé, Minister of Education, Haiti; Hon. Sam Condor, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, St. Kitts and Nevis.
Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and Anguilla were also represented.
OPENING CEREMONY
Dr. Edward Greene, Assistant Secretary-General, Human and Social Development, CARICOM Secretariat welcomed Delegates to the Meeting. He extended a special welcome to H.E. Gabriel Bien Aimé, Minister of Education and Mr. Mervil Guillaumette, Cabinet Member, Ministry of Education of Haiti. He noted the positive developments which had taken place in the Human and Social Development sector within the part year, founded on its theme – “Investing in Human Resources with Equity”, which were relevant to progress within the CARICOM Single Market and the globalised economy, and alluded, in particular, to the education and labour issues being tabled for this Meeting’s consideration.
A special feature of the Meeting would be a public lecture on The Priorities for Health and Development in the Caribbean by Sir George Alleyne, OCC, Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Caribbean on HIV and AIDS, Chair of the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development (CCHD) and Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI). Dr. Greene also made reference to the upcoming Sixth Annual General Meeting of the Pan Caribbean Partnership against HIV/AIDS (PANCAP) at which a special session would be dedicated to Health Issues in Haiti.
He anticipated that there would be fruitful discussions which would lead to enhancement of the Region’s human capital by placing greater emphasis on viable education and labour policies.
Hon. Shaik Baksh, Minister of Education, Guyana noted that human development was crucial to development in the education and labour sectors, especially since the Region was in a new phase with the establishment of the CSME at the beginning of January 2006. He adverted to issues of specific interest to Guyana, including the need for progress in relation to accreditation issues and procedures, and the imminent migration of teachers given the broadening of categories for free intra-regional movement of skills. He posited that issues of shelter and settlement should be addressed
In his remarks to the Meeting, Hon. Manzoor Nadir, Minister of Labour, Guyana, noted with concern the impact which emigration is having on the labour market, and proposed that those countries which are benefiting from the brain drain which has been created, should assist those countries which are being negatively affected.
Hon. Anthony Wood, Minister of Education, Barbados, who assumed the Chair of the COHSOD, reiterated Barbados’ commitment to the regional integration process and the realisation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Ms. Mary Read, Deputy Director, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, delivered the Feature Address, on the theme, Labour Issues in the Global Arena: Lessons for the Caribbean – A Decent Work Agenda for the Caribbean. She noted developments in the ILO within the context of Labour, stating that the primary goal of the ILO was to promote opportunities for people to obtain decent and productive working conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity.
Ms. Read drew attention to areas requiring immediate attention and/or action, such as the need to address fundamental principles and rights at work; national legislation and policies; harmonisation of labour legislation and compliance therewith. She urged that consideration be given to improving conditions conducive to increasing the quality and level of trade, investment, competitiveness and job opportunities, economic diversification, youth employment and employment-friendly trade agreements.
In the context of social protection, Ms. Read adverted to action which was needed to extend social security coverage and to maintain a balance between efficient labour markets and effective worker protection. She stated that occupational Health and Safety legislation and regulations should be revised and posited that HIV and AIDS workplace policies needed to be developed and implemented.
Ms. Read added that in the area of social dialogue and tripartism, attention needed to be paid to the revitalisation or revival of social dialogue bodies and mechanisms; broadening the scope for social dialogue; strengthening the capacity of the tripartite partners; and giving effect to the CARICOM Charter of Civil Society and Declaration on Labour and Industrial Relations Principles.
The Opening Ceremony was brought to a close by Dr. Edward Greene, who thanked the speakers for their valuable contributions which put the business of the Meeting in context.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CARICOM SINGLE MARKET AND ECONOMY (CSME): CRITICAL ISSUES FOR EDUCATION AND LABOUR
The COHSOD noted that an integrated regional labour market is an integral component of the CARICOM Single Market and in this context focused on two important aspects of Human Resource Development (HRD) crucial for the effective implementation of that integrated market, namely, the appropriate development and effective utilisation of human skills.
Recognising that the market for unskilled labour is becoming highly restricted, the COHSOD underscored the importance of the establishment and maintenance of up-to-date Labour Market Information Systems; the development of structures for social dialogue; adherence to international labour standards; and a commitment to lifelong learning and continuous retooling were therefore deemed to be imperative, particularly in the context of expanding the free intra-regional movement of skills and the challenges of the globalised market place. In this context, the COHSOD agreed that Member States should identify the technical and other assistance they might need to ensure the operationalisation of their respective national Labour Market Information and Labour Exchange Systems and the capacity of these to be merged into a regional network.
The COHSOD urged those Member States which had not yet done so to establish, as a matter of urgency, results-producing social dialogue structures which included deliberation on developmental issues. The COHSOD also agreed that Member States would report to the May 2007 meeting of the COHSOD on the efforts which they had taken to establish social dialogue in their respective countries.
THE WORKFORCE IN THE CSME
The COHSOD considered a presentation by the Caribbean Association of National Training Agencies (CANTA) on a Model for Training Assessment and Certification in TVET, which had been refined based on inputs from Ministers of Education and the Regional Coordinating Mechanism for TVET (RCMTVET).
The COHSOD agreed that the institutionalisation of a regional five-tier system of Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) would facilitate the free movement of workers and also contribute to the enhancement of skills training in both institutional and on-the-job settings and also facilitate the credentialing of skills for experienced persons already in the workforce. It noted that the Qualifications Framework would provide for credible, fair and transparent assessment of skills learned and competencies gained. Consideration was also given to the Region’s initiative in the Organisation of American States (OAS) Hemispheric Secondary Education Project which addresses capacity-building for certification of labour competencies at the secondary level.
The COHSOD urged those Member States with national training agencies to accelerate the process for awarding vocational qualifications and those which had not yet done so, to establish training agencies.
Establishment of Minimum Agreed Social Floor/ Labour Standards in the CSME
The COHSOD recalled the CARICOM Declaration on Labour and Industrial Relations Principles adopted in 1995. It noted that four model labour laws, relating to Termination of Employment; Non-discrimination and Equality in Employment; Recognition of Trade Union and Employers’ Organisations; and Occupational Health, Safety and the Working Environment had subsequently been adopted by the Region. The COHSOD noted that these model laws have been enacted to varying degrees in Member States.
The COHSOD recognised that much work is still needed, especially at the national level. At the regional level, there was need to sign off on a minimum set of standards which should form the social floor in the Community.
The COHSOD recommended that the eight core ILO Conventions relating to Freedom of Association and the Right to Collective Bargaining; the Elimination of Forced and Compulsory Labour; the Abolition of Child Labour; and the Elimination of Discrimination in the Workplace and the Migration Conventions should constitute the social floor in the CSME.
The COHSOD mandated the Secretariat to prepare a document on this recommendation for submission to the Lead CARICOM Head of Government with responsibility for Labour, together with a Draft Agreement on the Establishment of the Social Floor, which should be approved by the Legal Affairs Committee prior to its submission to the Conference of Heads of Government at its Inter-Sessional Meeting scheduled for February 2007.
The COHSOD also agreed that all Member States should enact the eight Core ILO Conventions as agreed in 2000 as well as the Migration Conventions and set up appropriate follow up and enforcement mechanisms. The COHSOD requested the ILO to provide technical assistance to Member States, as necessary, to facilitate ratification and enactment of these Conventions into domestic legislation.
QUALITY ASSURANCE IN EDUCATION
Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence
The COHSOD considered a presentation by the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) on its revised proposals for the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSC), which had previously been reviewed by Ministers of Education at their June 2006 Retreat.
Promoting Quality Assurance in Teacher Education
In the context of promoting quality assurance in Teacher Education, the COHSOD received a report on the Meeting of the Working Group on Teacher Education Meeting which addressed strategies for the Establishment of Quality Assurance Mechanisms for Teacher Education in the Region.
The COHSOD also considered a proposal for the establishment of a Professional Body for Teacher Education tabled by the Government of Trinidad and Tobago. It recognised that having achieved basic primary education for all and 70 per cent enrolment in secondary education in the Americas, Member States needed to turn their attention from education in terms of quantity to quality education provision. The key role of civil society (teachers unions, parent organisations) in achieving these aims was also recognised.
The COHSOD noted the challenges facing teacher education in the Region and encouraged Member States to establish a mechanism for considering the proposal for the establishment of a Caribbean Community Council for Teaching and Teacher Education and Training (CCCTTET).
Revised Curriculum and New Management Strategy for the Regional Examination for Nurse Registration
The COHSOD received proposals for a revised curriculum and new management strategy for the Regional Examination for Nurse Registration (RENR) and reiterated on its goal of pursuing the B.Sc.N degree as the entry requirement for nurse registration, as well as certification at the lower and upper levels.
The COHSOD also agreed, in principle, to recommendations for upgrading the RENR directly relating to the Education sector.
The COHSOD urged Ministers of Education to engage their colleague Ministers, particularly those with the portfolios of Finance and Labour, to approve these recommendations.
UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES (UWI) STRATEGIC PLAN 2007 – 2012
The COHSOD received a presentation from the University of the West Indies (UWI) on the University’s Strategic Plan for the period 2007-2012 and agreed that the COHSOD would continue to be engaged in its finalisation.
MONITORING AND EVALUATING POVERTY REDUCTION PROGRAMMES
United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Targets and Indicators relevant to the Education Sector
The COHSOD considered a report on the status of CARICOM Member States in respect of achievement of the targets and indicators relevant to the Education Sector in the context of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), cognisant of the direct and indirect connections between education and quality of life. It recognised that for maximum, effective and sustained achievements there must be a well-coordinated and integrated approach to the education and education-related MDGs.
The COHSOD urged Member States to review their respective status of implementation so that a comparative regional checklist could be prepared by the Secretariat and strategies adopted to address the deficit.
The COHSOD commended those Member States which had already achieved and surpassed the targets set for the Education Sector.
Creating the MDG+
In considering MDG+ activities, the COHSOD agreed that CARICOM might wish to examine some of the targets more in keeping with the Caribbean reality.
Support to Poverty Assessment and Reduction in the Caribbean (SPARC)
The COHSOD received a presentation on the Status of Developmental Work in Social Statistics – Challenges and Initiatives, and in particular, the Support to Poverty Assessment and Reduction in the Caribbean (SPARC) project, which incorporated the MDGs Statistics and Indicators that the Secretariat had been able to collect or was aware of Member States reporting, since these were also included in the Region’s core indicators.
The COHSOD was pleased to note that the UNDP had provided support for SPARC and urged Member States to place emphasis on strengthening their Statistical Offices to facilitate the gathering and analysis of data.
Social Protection
Cognisant that an effective social protection framework must be put in place to accompany the various trade and economic measures that have been, and are being put in place in the Community, the COHSOD noted that, to date, the only social protection measure in place is the CARICOM Agreement on Social Security, which still needs further refinement. It emphasised that in a Region which is very susceptible to shocks, adequate social protection systems need to be in place to deal with the effects of those shocks, whatever they might be, and that innovative strategies to increase the funds of social security institutions must be devised in order to respond to the expected challenges.
The COHSOD agreed that a comprehensive social protection framework should accompany the CSME and requested the Secretariat to engage a consultancy on the harmonisation of qualifying conditions for social security benefits and the introduction of unemployment benefits in Member States and report to the COHSOD in October 2007.
The COHSOD also requested the Secretariat to undertake a study on the pooling of resources by social security organisations for investment purposes and report to the COHSOD in October 2007.
RESPONDING TO GLOBALISATION:
A Decent Work Agenda for the Caribbean in the Context of Regional Integration: Outcomes of the ILO Tripartite Caribbean Employment Forum
The COHSOD received a Report on the Outcomes of the ILO Tripartite Caribbean Employment Forum which took place in Barbados on 11-12 October 2006. The COHSOD noted the Tripartite Declaration and Plan of Action for Realising the Decent Work Agenda in the Caribbean of that Forum and agreed that, the multifaceted nature of decent work, this document should be submitted for endorsement by the Conference of Heads of Government at its next meeting,
Migration and Labour Issues
The COHSOD considered issues relating to intra- and extra-regional migration and labour and their impact on the social and economic development of the Region and its people.
Retention of Labour
Recognising the importance of social and economic mobility, the COHSOD nevertheless noted that within the context of the CSME, the more prosperous countries will serve as a magnet to the most highly skilled, thus creating brain drains from the smaller of the Less Developed Countries (LDCs). The Ministers were of the view that policies or programmes need to be adopted to promote the retention of labour in sectors particularly vulnerable to ‘brain strain’.
In this context, the COHSOD considered, inter alia, the reorientation of higher education system towards providing skills in demand within the Region; promoting a “reverse brain drain” by providing opportunities for developed country workers to spend time in developing (or least developed countries); improvement of working and worker conditions through improved human resource management, transparency and fairness in promotion, professional training opportunities, worker empowerment, etc.; increasing the development of human capital to meet local replacement needs and export through bilateral or multilateral agreements; and co-development initiatives in vulnerable sectors.
Trade and Labour issues
The COHSOD was apprised of issues and recommendations emanating from the Caribbean Regional Negotiating Machinery’s (CRNM’s ) Regional Workshop on Trade and Labour Issues: Exploration of CARICOM’s Interests. In this regard, the COHSOD commended the CRNM’s preparations for dealing with labour issues in the context of external trade negotiations.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
The COHSOD considered the vital role played by Education and Labour in building an Information Society and recognised the need to act positively and expeditiously to ensure that the Region’s people were equipped and adapted to the changing landscape of work and life.
CARICOM Science Conference, May 2006
The COHSOD received a report on the Conference organised by CARICOM, CARISCIENCE and the UWI in association with UNESCO on the theme, “Harnessing Science and Technology for Caribbean Development” was convened in Trinidad and Tobago during the period 10-13 May 2006 and noted the Tobago Declaration and the Plan of Action emanating from that Conference.
DISTANCE AND OPEN LEARNING:
Caribbean Universities Project for Integrated Distance Education (CUPIDE) and Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN)
The COHSOD noted the developments which had taken place in respect of the Caribbean Universities Project for Integrated Distance Education (CUPIDE) and agreed to the initiatives undertaken in this regard. It also encouraged the five beneficiary universities to put mechanisms in place to facilitate the sustainability of the Project.
The COHSOD also received a Progress Report on the Caribbean Knowledge and Learning Network (CKLN) which highlighted the achievements of the Network to date, and provided details on the enhanced mandate, the planned advanced regional network, funding arrangements and a high level work plan for September 2006-August 2007.
The COHSOD urged CUPIDE and CKLN to work towards greater collaboration and synergies in order to maximise their impact and to avoid unnecessary duplication of effort.
Fourth Pan Commonwealth Forum on Distance and Open Learning (PCF4)
The COHSOD received information on the format and preparations for the Fourth Pan Commonwealth Forum on Distance and Open learning (PCF4), which is being held under the Theme, “Achieving Development Goals: Innovation, Learning, Collaboration and Foundations “ and is scheduled to be held in Jamaica on 30 October-3 November 2006. It noted that the Forum is held biennially and co-hosted by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL), with partners in different regions of the Commonwealth. It noted that the five-day programme is designed to address open and distance learning through widening educational access, bridging the digital divide and by advancing the social and economic development of communities and nations at large.
The COHSOD agreed that Ministries of Education and Labour should be represented at the Forum and urged that the relevant Ministries implement the PCF4 recommendations.
SPECIAL FOCUS ON HAITI
The COHSOD, in a special caucus, received a report on the status of Education from the Delegation of Haiti led by H.E. Gabriel Bien-Aimé, the Minister of Education.
The COHSOD was informed of the emphasis placed by the Government of Haiti on reducing the high level of illiteracy in the country and of the dire shortage of teachers and the estimated need to increase the number required from 3,000 in 2006 to 10,000 in 2009, when it was anticipated that over one million out-of-school youth would be absorbed into the education system. Other deficits identified by the Haitian Delegation were the lack of infrastructure and physical facilities, requiring a massive injection of capital.
The COHSOD noted that among Haiti’s priorities was training in the English Language in order to enhance its participation in the business of the Community.
The COHSOD also noted that the Hon. Dr. Denzil Douglas, Prime Minister of St. Kitts and Nevis and Chairman of the Community, had led a CARICOM Mission to Haiti on 18 October 2006 and agreed that a follow up mission of COHSOD Ministers should be undertaken as soon as possible, to focus on Education and Social Sector Issues.
The COHSOD requested the Secretariat to make the arrangements necessary for its proposed mission to Haiti.
DEVELOPING CREATIVE AND PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS: IMPLICATIONS OF THE NEW HEALTH DEMOGRAPHY FOR EDUCATION AND LABOUR SECTORS
CARICOM Commission on Health and Development (CCHD)
The COHSOD was apprised of the follow-up to the Report of the CARICOM Commission on Health and Development which was established by the Heads of Government to give substance to the Nassau Declaration of CARICOM Heads of Government – “The Health of the Nation is the Wealth of the Nation”.
The COHSOD received a presentation by Sir George Alleyne, Chairman of the Caribbean Commission on Health and Development (CCHD), on the priorities in Health and Development in which he pointed to the need for greater emphasis to be placed on strategies to deal with heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension and obesity, which account for over 35,000 deaths per year in the Region.
The COHSOD noted with concern the cost of managing diabetes in Barbados and Jamaica alone which accounted for between US$ 300 million – US$ 400 million; that the incidence of obesity ranged from 40 to 75 per cent in the Caribbean; and the high mortality rate for HIV and AIDS among the Region’s young people between the ages of 15 to 35 years.
The COHSOD endorsed Sir George’s call for the Region to place as much emphasis on non-communicable diseases (NCDs) as it has on HIV and AIDS and agreed that in order to promote healthy lifestyles among the people of the Region, Member States should reduce the importation of goods with fats; increase the tax on tobacco; ban smoking in public places; and make physical education in schools a compulsory subject.
Risks: Violence and Vulnerability in the Primary and Secondary Schools
The COHSOD noted the presentation on issues relating to risks, violence and vulnerability in primary and secondary schools which had been the subject of increasing concern in the Caribbean over the past five years.
The COHSOD agreed on the imperative of analysing the data already available on this pressing matter and determine and prioritise areas for action.
Health and Family Life Education (HFLE)
The COHSOD viewed with concern the fact that children and youth are confronted with problems which prevent them from maximising their true potential for learning and personal development, and also influence their health and life opportunities. In this context, the COHSOD asserted that Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) was key to increasing awareness and changing attitudes among children and young people in and out of school, encouraging them to adopt healthy lifestyles and positive attitudes, as well as enhancing parenting skills. It recognised that for these to be achieved and sustained, HFLE must be part of the core of the professional preparation offered for all teachers and at all teachers’ colleges.
The COHSOD therefore endorsed the development of the HFLE Curriculum for the lower primary and upper secondary levels of the education system in Member States; the teaching of HFLE as a core subject at all levels of the school system; the teaching of HFLE as a core course in the teacher education programme in Teachers Colleges. The COHSOD also agreed that consideration be given to the revised HFLE Teacher Education Curriculum replacing the curriculum currently being used in the Associate Degree Programme in Teachers Colleges in the Eastern Caribbean and that technical assistance be given to the Member States that do not have the capacity to develop and/or align their HFLE curriculum to the Regional Curriculum Framework.
Education Sector Capacity-Building Programme for HIV/AIDS
The COHSOD noted with grave concern that the Caribbean has the second highest HIV prevalence rate in the world and young people (15 – 25) are among the worst affected, accounting for more than one-half of all new cases. It reiterated the important role played by the education sector in providing the student population, their teachers and families with the knowledge and skills needed to make informed, healthy choices and develop responsible lifestyles. In this context, the COHSOD recognised that a comprehensive approach to HIV and AIDS needed to be adopted by the Education sector.
The COHSOD lauded the Caribbean Education Sector HIV and AIDS Capacity-Building Programme, whose goal is “to improve the response of the education sector as a partner in a multi-sectoral strategy for the prevention and mitigation of the HIV and AIDS epidemic CARICOM Member States”, which is one of the key initiatives being undertaken currently by CARICOM/PANCAP as a response to the problem.
The COHSOD agreed that the education systems must address the need to support and protect, not only those who work within them, but also the students in the school system. It noted that the Programme will develop guidelines and templates to guide Ministries in advancing policies and drawing on previous work by the ILO.
Special COHSOD on Education and HIV and AIDS
The COHSOD considered a report on follow-up to the Special COHSOD on HIV and AIDS and Education which was convened on 9-10 June 2006 in Trinidad and Tobago. It noted that the Port-of-Spain Declaration on the Education Sector. Responses to HIV and AIDS had been adopted and a Framework for a Coordinated Education Sector-wide approach to HIV and AIDS was endorsed at that Special Meeting of the COHSOD.
HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy
The COHSOD commended the work of the Caribbean Tripartite Council, including representatives of the Caribbean Employers’ Confederation n(CEC), Caribbean congress of Labour (CCL) and Governments, for desiginga HIV and AIDS Workplace Policy patterned after the ILO model and sponsored by the Pan Caribbean partnership against HIV and AIDS (PANCAP).
GENDER ISSUES IN EDUCATION
Differentials in Education at the Secondary and Tertiary Levels: Assessment of Demographic Factors Influencing Participation and Performance
The COHSOD considered the preliminary findings of a study on Gender Differentials at the Secondary and Tertiary Levels of the Educational System in the Anglophone Caribbean Project managed by the Regional Coordinating Unit of the Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CGDS, RCU), with input from its units at Cave Hill and St. Augustine. It noted that the study was the first attempt at analysis of the socialisation influences and demographic factors that may contribute to gender imbalances, primarily at the secondary level, with more limited data derived from the tertiary level of education systems in five countries with respect to enrolment, participation in the range or curriculum areas and achievement in those areas.
The COHSOD also noted that a preliminary analysis showed that there continued to be evidence of sex segregation of the curriculum, particularly in the technical crafts, and that across the range of subject areas there was no general statistical difference between the performance of males and females. Sex is therefore not proven to be strongly associated with performance. On the other hand, ethnicity emerged as a strong predictive variant.
The COHSOD looked forward to receiving the full analysis of the findings of the study, which was expected to be completed by October 2007.
CHILDREN’S ISSUES
Early Childhood Development Forum, March 2006
The COHSOD received a Report on the Policy Forum on Early Childhood Development convened by UNESCO, in partnership with the CARICOM Secretariat, the CDB, UNESCO, UNICEF and the Bernard Van Lear Foundation, which was held in Jamaica in March 2006. The main objectives of the Forum were to explore and examine the relationships between quality early childhood programming and poverty reduction, human capacity development, crime reduction and overall social enhancement; and devise strategies in which key partners in the development process can collaborate to advance early childhood programming as a priority development in the Region.
The COHSOD agreed that efforts should be made to establish and harmonise Early Childhood Development Services in the Region.
Child Protection: Fostering Social Justice in the Education Sector
The COHSOD, having received a report on the main elements of the Regional Framework for Action for Children’s Rights and Development in the Caribbean, agreed that Member States would engage in discussions at the national level regarding the priority areas for child protection within the education sector. It recommended that protocols be developed for Ministers of Education to determine the scope of gender-based violence in schools in order to inform policy options. In this regard, the COHSOD welcomed the offer by the UWI’s Centre for Gender and Development Studies to assist in the development of these protocols.
Georgetown, Guyana
21 October 2006
