Press Releases

Students who emerged winners of the Art competition, held by the Parliament of Guyana in partnership with UNICEF and the University of Guyana under the theme “Governance And Child Rights for Children in Guyana, today received their prizes. A team of officials from the Parliament Office, UNICEF and the University of Guyana led the Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Raphael Trotman, had previously travelled to Surama where they distributed prizes to the winners who reside there.

Speaking at the simple presentation ceremony, today, Speaker Trotman said the focus of the competition was to encourage and bring visibility to child rights in Parliament- with a focus on governance and child rights. This, he said, adds to the larger objective of creating an image that promotes the rights of children to live free and fulfilling lives, to be free from all forms of violence, and abuse of every kind.
He further congratulated the winners present and urged them to ensure that they always strive to keep a balance between education and play. Mr. Trotman explained that the winning entries have been framed and placed on the walls of the MPs’ lounge for viewing.

Resident Representative of UNICEF, Ms. Merriam Flach, in congratulating the students said UNICEF is pleased to have been associated with the competition. She said the institutionalization of this competition and other medium to engage children fully into the role of Parliament will be supported fully by UNICEF in the next and future parliaments.

She further commended Mr. Trotman and the 10th Parliament of Guyana for recognizing the importance of allowing children to express themselves, and including their ideas and opinions in shaping of the nation. She also expressed the hope that this art competition would be one of the many collaborations with Parliament on children’s rights.

The competition created opportunities for children throughout the 10 administrative regions of Guyana including those who are in vulnerable settings including “street” children and/disadvantaged, as well as, children in rural and hinterland regions to develop self-expressions, through their interpretation of ‘Child Rights and Governance’. This will be done through drawing, painting, collage, assemblage, and mix-media.

This competition was opened to children within the age groups of 4 –18 years age group residing in all 10 regions. Winners hailed from the Bath Settlement Primary in Region 5, Belladrum Primary in Region 5, Eccles Primary and Nursery Schools in Region 4 and Surama Village in Region 9. Students who placed first, second and third each received prizes.