User:AmanzaWaltonDesirMP/sandbox

Amanza Walton-Desir
Amanza Walton-Desir is a Guyanese politician who currently serves as a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana. She represents the A Partnership for National Unity (APNU)+ Alliance for Change (AFC) coalition and holds the position of Opposition Shadow Minister of Foreign Affairs, while also overseeing the Maritime and Aviation Affairs portfolios. Within the coalition, Walton-Desir is an elected Member of the Central Executive Committee of the People’s National Congress Reform, the largest Party in the Coalition.

Early Life and Education: Amanza Owana Rukia Walton was born into a working-class family in Number 50 Village (Leeds), Corentyne, Berbice, Guyana. Her parents, Joy Walton and Ovid Walton, instilled in her and her eight siblings the values of hard work and excellence. Walton-Desir attended Mackenzie High School and later President’s College, graduating in 1997. She pursued higher education in law and was admitted to the legal profession in 2003. Her academic achievements include a Masters in Law (with Distinction) in International Maritime Law from the International Maritime Law Institute in Malta, a Postgraduate Certificate in Legislative Drafting from the University of Guyana, and a Bachelor of Law Degree from the University of Guyana. She also holds certifications in Civil Aviation Management from the Singapore Aviation Academy and a Post Graduate Legal Education Certificate from the Hugh Wooding Law School in Trinidad and Tobago.

Career: Amanza Walton-Desir has dedicated her career to public service, focusing on international maritime law, aviation law and management, legislative drafting, and public policy and administration. Before assuming her role as a Member of Parliament, she served as the General Counsel of the Guyana Civil Aviation Authority for seven years. She has been recognized for her expertise, winning the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Secretary General’s Prize for Best Dissertation in 2009 for her LL.M. dissertation titled "Offshore Drilling and Guyana: An Analysis of the Legal Framework for the Protection of the Marine Environment". Additionally, she is a court-certified mediator.

Political Views and Advocacy: Walton-Desir advocates for inclusivity, transparency, accountability, and social cohesion in Guyana's political landscape. She believes in the importance of building consensus and fostering unity among the ethnically diverse population. As a Member of Parliament, she strives to uphold the principles of democracy outlined in Guyana's Constitution, particularly Article 13, which emphasizes the establishment of an inclusionary democracy.

Personal Philosophy: Amanza Walton-Desir adheres to the philosophy that "whatever is worth doing is worth doing well," reflecting her commitment to excellence in all endeavors. She envisions a Guyana where every citizen, regardless of ethnicity, class, creed, political affiliation, or gender, can enjoy a good quality of life in a safe and healthy environment.

Continued Dedication: Since her swearing-in as a Member of Parliament, Amanza Walton-Desir remains dedicated to serving the people of Guyana and working towards the realization of an inclusive democracy where every citizen can thrive.