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When Guyana's first democratically elected government in 28 years took power in 1992, it faced daunting challenges--including a high rate of poverty, a burdensome foreign debt, and a severely weakened social and physical infrastructure. With The Carter Center's assistance, the government began drafting a development strategy for long-term economic growth and social development. In January 1997, a draft of the National Development Strategy was released for public comment.

"The drafting process for this document has been one of the most participatory exercises anywhere, involving all sectors of society with an interest in the process," said Gordon Streeb, director of The Carter Center's Global Development Initiative (GDI). "It is an unprecedented approach to forming national development policy."

GDI was launched in 1993 to help countries like Guyana stimulate economic growth through more effective use of domestic and international resources, including foreign aid. The Carter Center has worked in Guyana since 1990 in preparation for the 1992 national elections, which were observed by an international delegation led by former President Jimmy Carter. In 1993, Guyana President Cheddi Jagan asked the Center to help produce a strategy for sustainable development.

The first of its kind for Guyana and GDI, the National Development Strategy draft includes input from more than 200 Guyanese representing government and local interest groups to decide what policies are important for their country's future. It also incorporates work done by the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the United Nations Development Program, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and other development assistance agencies.

Guyana's strategy examines development options in several industries--mining, agriculture, forestry, fishing, and others--and establishes policies and sets priorities within a framework of environmental regulation and economic stability. It also addresses health care, education, gender equity, and other social issues.

"This strategy takes a long-term view of our country's growth prospects and requirements and the special needs of less-favored groups in society," said President Jagan during a 1996 meeting with international donor agencies at The Carter Center. "This is the first time that Guyanese of all races, religions, and political persuasions have come together to draft a blueprint for our future."

GDI staff now will advise Guyanese officials on administrative, legislative, and investment requirements for implementation of the strategy. Said Dr. Streeb, "If this plan can be implemented successfully, this collaborative effort could become the model in the foreign aid community for supporting a country's effort to achieve sustainable development."