Guyana’s locally developed International Human Rights Law Certificate Programme has returned for its second year, attracting unprecedented interest with over 1,000 applications for only 300 spaces.
The 2025 cohort was officially launched on Wednesday at the Royal International Hotel by Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance Gail Teixeira, who said the initiative addresses a major gap in public understanding of constitutional and treaty obligations.
“This programme was designed by us, for our people. It’s not an imported model, and if there are shortcomings, we take full responsibility,” Teixeira told participants.
Created within the Ministry in 2024, the course was developed in collaboration with national and international partners, including the UN Human Rights Office, FAO, and UNESCO. Its purpose is to clarify Guyana’s human rights commitments and counter misinformation about the constitutional framework.
Teixeira explained that feedback from newspapers, social media, and community forums highlighted widespread misconceptions about international treaties and citizens’ rights, prompting the Ministry to create a programme accessible to the wider public.
The 2025 edition expands its scope with new modules on anti-corruption, human rights and artificial intelligence, climate change, and food security, reflecting the evolving global governance landscape.
The six-week hybrid course, combining in-person and online classes, will feature lectures from Attorney General Anil Nandlall, SC, and Chancellor (ag) Roxane George-Wiltshire, providing participants with expert insight into both domestic and international human rights law.
Despite limited spaces, Teixeira emphasized the Ministry’s commitment to inclusivity and academic rigor, noting that the programme has already been recognised by regional and international human rights partners. She added that the high level of public interest shows a growing national appetite for civic education and informed participation in governance.
