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Canada's Commitment
Results
Country Profile
Canada's close ties with Guyana go back over 200 years. Guyana has received Canadian Official Development Assistance (ODA) since 1958. Guyana is one of the 25 development partner countries in which the Canadian International Development Agency will concentrate the major part of its bilateral (country to country) assistance. In 2003-2004, ODA to Guyana was nearly $15 million. The Canadian International Development Agency's (CIDA) programs in Guyana are working to build a stable country with a more effective government, improved social services, and a diversified economy—the building blocks of a better life for Guyana's people.
In the area of governance, CIDA's bilateral program in Guyana is working to make government more transparent and accountable—giving voluntary groups, the private sector, and the public a stronger voice in decision making at all levels. For example, at the local level, programs are improving the way municipal governments provide services to citizens.
 Canada's Commitment
Canadian partners, such as
Youth Challenge International,
work in rural Amerindian
communities to ensure that
children receive basic education.
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CIDA is promoting basic education and working to increase literacy in remote regions through teacher training programs.
In addition, the current health program is aimed at controlling the spread of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
CIDA is also helping create jobs and reduce poverty by supporting programs that diversify the economy—working with business associations to promote government reforms that will improve the climate for local enterprises.
Through its Canadian Partnership Branch, CIDA co-finances projects by Canadian non-governmental organizations, institutions, and businesses. Among the organizations working in Guyana are the Canadian Comprehensive Audit Foundation, CODE, FutureWatch Environment and Development Education Partners, the Canadian Institute of Planners, the Ghost River Rediscovery Society, Oxfam Canada, and Youth Challenge International.
CIDA programs are providing training and
technical support to owners of small and
medium-size businesses like this
fish processing business.
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CIDA's Industrial Cooperation Program is supporting feasibility studies for joint ventures between Guyanese and Canadian firms. It provides them with technical training in environmental impact assessment and economic management.
Canada is also a strong advocate for Guyana within multilateral organizations such as the Caribbean Development Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the World Health Organization, the Pan-American Health Organization, and various United Nations development agencies.
Results
The Guyana Basic Education Teacher Training Program has been showing good results in improving education in the hinterland. For example, a centre was created to facilitate distance education. Consequently, there has been a steady increase in the number of students receiving passing grades.
The Caribbean Gender Equality Program is empowering women and addressing violence against women. Lobbying, campaigning, training, media coverage, gender sensitization, and public education aimed at community workers, teachers, police, soldiers, regional administrators and high school students, are only a few of the actions taken to address gender-based violence.
As a result of these actions taken by Canada and other donors, there is an increased level of public concern and a reduced tolerance for domestic violence.
Country Profile
Located on the north coast of South America, Guyana depends heavily on agriculture and natural resources as a source of export earnings. However, its main exports have been negatively affected by falling international prices (bauxite), dwindling reserves (gold), and trade liberalization (sugar and rice).
Many highly trained Guyanese have left the country due to political instability, social divisions, and rising crime. The resulting lack of skilled labour has become one of Guyana's most pressing challenges, while high rates of HIV/AIDS infection are a serious health challenge.
Guyana will have to address the root causes of out-migration, diversify its economy, and confront the environmental impact of global warming. Guyana's Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper outlines these development objectives, which are:
- economic well-being;
- governance; and
- social development.
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