Labour pioneer, political activist, first woman president of Republic of Guyana, Janet Jagan, to deliver lecture at York U. on predecessor Cheddi Jagan's vision to end world hunger, systemic poverty through creation of new global human order

TORONTO, March 24, 1999 -- The first woman president of the Republic of Guyana, Janet Jagan, will deliver a lecture entitled The Life and Times of Cheddi Jagan, commemorating the life and vision of her late husband, at York University's Burton Auditorium, Saturday, March 27, 1999, 7:00 p.m. Jagan's lecture will address how Dr. Cheddi Jagan, former president of Guyana and a leading Caribbean thinker, believed a coordinated international effort and new global human order, emphasizing the primacy of human development, could eradicate world poverty and hunger.

Born in Chicago, Illinois, Janet Jagan attended the University of Detroit and the Cook County School of Nursing. She departed for (then) British Guiana in 1943 and worked as a dental nurse in Dr. Cheddi Jagan's clinic. She married Dr. Jagan the same year.

Disgusted by the British colony's poor working conditions and systemic poverty, Jagan became involved in the labour struggle and joined the colony's first union, the British Guiana Labour Union. She later co-founded the People's Progressive Party (PPP), which sought independence from Britain, and was one of three women to be elected to the House of Assembly in 1953.

Jagan served in a variety of portfolios including Deputy Speaker and Minister of Labour, Health and Housing prior to Guyana gaining its independence from Britain in 1966. Jagan was jailed for six months in 1955 following the suspension of the Constitution and the ouster of the PPP Government by the British.

Before her election as President in 1997, Jagan served as Guyana's Ambassador to the United Nations in 1993. Her accolades include, the UNESCO Award (The Gandhi Gold Medal Award) in 1997 and the Order of Excellence (O.E.), Guyana's highest national honour.

"My motivation is to relieve misery and let people get ahead and enjoy their lives because life should be enjoyable; it shouldn't be a torment or be an everyday punishment," said Jagan reflecting on her lifetime in politics. "People must be able to have the basic necessities of life to be able to enjoy life," she said.

"York University is pleased to welcome Her Excellency, Janet Jagan, President of Guyana, " said York University President Dr. Lorna Marsden. "The late Dr. Cheddi Jagan visited York several times both as Guyana Opposition Leader, and then as President. I am confident that the strong links and friendship York has established with Guyana and the Guyanese community in Toronto will continue to be fostered under Janet Jagan's presidency," she said.

The lecture is hosted by York University's Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean (CERLAC), York International, the Guyanese Social Club, members of the Guyanese community, Caribbean scholars and activists. Admission is free.

WHO:
Republic of Guyana President Janet Jagan (First woman president)

WHAT:
Lecture: The Life and Times of Cheddi Jagan
(Lecture on former Guyana President Cheddi Jagan's vision to eliminate world poverty and hunger)

WHERE:
Burton Auditorium
York University, 4700 Keele Street

WHEN:
Saturday, March 27, 1999, 7:00 p.m.

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For more information, please call:

Rosemarie Nielsen
York International
York University
(416) 736-5177

Sine MacKinnon
Senior Advisor for Media Relations
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22087

Ken Turriff
Media Relations Officer
York University
(416) 736-2100, ext. 22086
YU/029/99