Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Expo 2025 Celebrates “Everyday Essentials”

On December 9–10, 2025, the United Nations Guyana Country Team participated in the 4th Annual Human Rights and Anti-Corruption Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre, an event that united government agencies, civil society and the public in a shared showcase of work advancing human rights and integrity. Organized by the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance (MPAG), the two-day event drew students, teachers, community groups and members of the public, offering interactive displays, educational dialogue and outreach on human rights protections and anti-corruption efforts across the nation.

The expo’s theme, “Our Everyday Essentials: Rights and Integrity,” reflected this year’s global Human Rights Day campaign led by the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR). The UN campaign particularly emphasizes that human rights are foundational elements we rely on throughout daily life, from safety and dignity to freedom of expression and equality before the law.

Each year, the expo grows in scope and recognition, now described as the only event of its kind in the region. The MPAG thanked agencies for their creativity, professionalism and dedication, noting that their contributions helped make the 2025 expo a success and ensured that the event remained meaningful, credible and nationally relevant. 

Visitors particularly praised the exhibits' engaging, interactive nature and the agency's welcoming staff. Many participants also shared their experiences on social media, extending the expos’ reach beyond the two days of programming and drawing broader public attention to the importance of human rights and anti-corruption work.

The expo took place in the context of Human Rights Day 2025, observed each year on December 10 to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.

According to the OHCHR, human rights are positive, essential and attainable. They are everyday essentials that enable people to participate in society, express themselves freely, live without fear, access services and opportunities, and demand accountability when rights are violated.

In Guyana, the 2025 expo reinforced these principles by making human rights tangible for diverse audiences, especially young people and educators. The event also highlighted national efforts to respect, protect and fulfill human rights while promoting integrity and combating corruption, two goals that are connected in any democratic society striving for justice and accountability.

As officials and participants look ahead, there is optimism that future expos and related activities will continue to grow and strengthen, fostering broader public awareness and deepening appreciation for the essential role human rights play in everyday life.