(Kaieteur News) – Twenty-five Indigenous youth from the Upper Corentyne River communities of Orealla and Siparuta have successfully completed the Article 13 in Practice: Youth Participation in Action programme, a civic leadership initiative implemented by the Guyana Center for Civic Engagement (GYCCE) through the generous support of the McCain Institute at Arizona State University under the John McCain Global Leaders Programme Impact Fund.

The project was led by Dr. Deodat Persaud, Director of GYCCE and a member of the 2024 John McCain Global Leaders Cohort, who secured funding through his participation in the prestigious international leadership programme.

The initiative was designed to translate the principles of Article 13 of the Constitution of Guyana into practical community action by equipping Indigenous youth with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate meaningfully in community leadership and local decision-making. Through interactive sessions, participants explored constitutional literacy, civic engagement, dialogue, ethical leadership, conflict resolution, volunteerism, and community action planning.