We all know about the work the Belize grassroots youth empowerment association, BGYEA has been doing to establish the Harmonyville community.
But the ascendant organization is quite suddenly now also officially representing Belize at high level regional meetings.
A BGYEA representative just returned from a regional meeting where he solely represented Belize at discussions for an arms trade treaty which will go to the United Nations in 2012.
Now what does the Caribbean have to do with any trade in weapons? Eluth Hall returned today and explained.
Eluth Hall, BGYEA representative
"Why we are saying we need such a treaty because like you said. We are not manufacturers of arms at all. But we are the ones feeling the blunt from these arms coming in. There is a trade of arms (Jules Vasquez, informally) informally, an illicit trade of arms."
Jules Vasquez
"And I guess the point is that it has a devastating effect on communities in the Caribbean."
Eluth Hall
"Exactly, so this organization sees it fit to form a strong coalition to really put some important ideas together and in 2012 to present this treaty to the United Nations."
Jules Vasquez
"So you were the only representative for Belize at this meeting?"
Eluth Hall
"At the end of the day yes. How we got involved in this, this organization from Trinidad and Tobago heard about us BGYEA and they saw us as very interesting what we are going through and what we are trying to accomplish in Belize. So yes we have been given an invitation. But I am also under the understanding that they also sent an invitation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Belize and Youth for the Future but I don't know what happen so at the end of the day BGYEA end up representing Belize."
Jules Vasquez
"So now BGYEA is acting in an official capacity for the state of Belize?"
Eluth Hall
"It just so happens that yes we are in that position now."
Jules Vasquez
"I don't want to say this to insult, but is BGYEA even a registered NGO in Belize or a registered non-profit?"
Eluth Hall
"We are a registered association yeah."
BGYEA will now serve as the local contact for the ongoing negotiation....
Email
Print