Press Release - High-Speed Painting First Step of a Future Generations Manifesto
Inter-Generational Justice
The average age of world leaders, – judging by the UN General Assembly in September – is 59.2
years, 167 leaders were male and 22 females. They are the people responsible for taking decisions
at COP27 which they won’t have to live with. The generation that will bear the consequences of
climate crisis does not have a voice. To the extent, the generation responsible for the crisis is
simultaneously depriving future generations of the resources they need to restore it.
Like countries the world over, in Guyana we pay lip service to idea of involving youth in decisions
that affect them by token gestures such as a ‘youth Parliament’ or having a ‘youth’ on the proposed
Constitutional Reform Commission.
Future Generation Manifesto
Policy Forum Guyana (PFG) is promoting opportunities for the younger generation to more effectively
influence decisions that affect them, producing a Future Generations Manifesto, setting our lifestyle goals compatible with climate justice. The High-Speed Painting Competition is a fun first step in identifying and visualizing the lifestyle changes Guyana needs. Similar activities in various Regions of Guyana will contribute to developing a Future Generations Manifesto for Guyanese youths seeking both the well-being of this generation and those yet to come.
The second and later phases of the project will see the younger generation seeking endorsement for the Manifesto from the business, professional, trade unions and other civic sectors. Young people hope the Manifesto will be embraced by those taking part in local government elections and constitutional reform Although not responsible for creating the climate crisis, as a petroleum producer Guyana should feel particularly obligated to ensuring our lifestyle values are as compatible as possible with a stable climate.
Future generations have the right to inherit as much as we inherited from past generations.
Changing our lifestyles requires that we are brave and courageous and get out of our comfort zone.
Many of the changes needed require imagination more than cash. But (if need be) Guyana also has the
cash, so no excuses. Many imaginative green changes are being embraced around the world as demonstrated in the following examples:
Transportation
- Introduce free public transport for school-aged children and tertiary institutions students
rewarding citizens who cycle, and car-share. - Miami launched a new app that rewards citizens for using green transport.
- Involve people with disability in the design of sustainable and inclusive travel solutions.
Energy
- Guyana is building hotels, houses and business construction like never before. We can demand that all this new construction, particularly new education, health and public buildings should be 100% powered by renewable energy by 2030.
Health
- Better health means three things: Preventing bad health, protecting good health and promoting
better health. Imaginative improvements can be made in all three areas. Brussels ran a trial
whereby doctors could prescribe museum visits to patients in an effort to rebuild mental health and alleviate burn-out. - Bogota closes off to cars every Sunday morning and Public Holidays
Housing
- ‘880’ cities in Canada are a concept that communities should be built around the needs of every
one from 8 to 80. - The Netherlands mortgage rules allow households to borrow up to $25,000 extra to purchase or
re-furbish a new zero energy home.
Different Values
- The Scottish Government have placed kindness within their core values and reflected in the
National Performance Framework. - Mexico City has the first urban innovation lab consisting of 20 young people of various
backgrounds to provide the ability to imagine better, different and more participatory kind of
future for the city. - Wales has proposed a rule that every Statutory Body must have a person identified to ensure
that the Body is kept aware of the impact of decision-making on future generations. - The voting age for local elections in Wales is 16 years.