Guyana and US Peace Corps sign MOU on environment

Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Ms. Gail Teixeira (front left) poses with
Director, Dr. Nadine Rogers, centre and US Ambassador, Ms. Sarah- Ann Lynch with Peace Corps
officials

GUYANA AND THE US PEACE CORPS WEDNESDAY SIGNED A FRESH
MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) to help protect the country’s delicate
environment.
Governance and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ms. Gail Texeira and Peace Corps Country
Director, Dr Nadine Rogers inked the agreement between the two friendly countries.
The deadly global corona virus pandemic temporarily halted the work of Peace Corps
Volunteer on the local environment.

“Given our nation’s continued emphasis on environmental preservation, it is especially encouraging to
know that we will be able to restart efforts championed by Peace Corps volunteers in partnership with
communities and schools, to educate the next generation and build capacity in environmental stewardship,”
Teixeira said at Wednesday’s signing ceremony

Teixeira reiterated the government’s commitment to a low carbon economy through its flagship
environmental policy, the Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS).

The LCDS is currently being updated to include the establishment of an International Centre of Excellence
for Biological Diversity that will feature novel research and development, as well as educational services.

Meanwhile, US Ambassador to Guyana, Ms. Sarah-Ann Lynch, noted the body “can continue to contribute
to environmental education and awareness in Guyana with the inclusion of ecological fundamentals,
climate science, biodiversity, ecosystem services, global and local environmental issues, as well as how to
address them.”

Sixty years ago, US President John F. Kennedy created the Peace Corps to help provide human
resource and technical assistance to developing countries asking for help. The body was first active in
Guyana from 1966-1971, the period when the former colony became Independent (1966) and later
became a Cooperative Republic (1970).

“The agency later returned in 1995 upon the re-invitation of President, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Since its
establishment, more than 900 American Volunteers have supported numerous communities
throughout Guyana,” the US Embassy explained on its website.