27th Model OAS General Assembly for Universities of the Hemisphere
Place: Universidad de San Pedro Sula (USPS)
Date: April 27 - 30, 2009

This activity took place in the campus of Universidad San Pedro Sula (USPS) in Honduras, and was organized jointly by the Department of International Affairs (DIA) of the Secretariat for External Relations of the OAS, the USPS, and the Government of Honduras, with additional financial support from the Government of Spain. The MOAS Program is designed to promote democratic values among the youth of the Hemisphere through a role-playing exercise, where the students represent each of the 34 OAS Member States. In addition, this 27th MOAS sought to familiarize the youth and general population of Honduras, as well as the youth of the Americas, with the priorities in the inter-American agenda in anticipation to the celebration of the 39th Regular Period of Sessions of the General Assembly of the OAS to be held in the same city in June 2009. A total of 400 students and 50 teachers from universities of Honduras, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, México, Peru and Venezuela attended this MOAS. The students approved a MOAS Declaration, “Towards a Culture of Non-Violence,” and 81 resolutions related to corporate social responsibility; the role of the legislatures in the fight against corruption; Hemispheric cooperation in dealing with criminal gangs; energy security and climate change; and, measures to guarantee the long term financial stability of the OAS in the context of the current global financial crisis. Full media coverage was provided to this event through USPS cable TV station “Campus TV,” and in the national and local press. For information on the day-to-day activities of the 27th MOAS, including the text of the declaration and resolutions, please visit www.moea.usps.edu. For general information about this program visit www.moas.oas.org, or contact the Department of International Affairs [email protected].
 

Expo and Finals of the Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas (TIC Américas 2009)
Place: Copantl Hotel
Date: May 29-30, 2009
Time: 09:00 am – 05:00 pm
 

TIC Américas 2009 Awards Ceremony
Place: Copantl Hotel
Date: Saturday, May 20, 2009
Time: 07:00 pm – 09:00 pm

The Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) held during 2008-2009 the third Talent and Innovation Competition of the Americas, an international business plan competition and accelerator for young entrepreneurs up to age 35. This competition allows young people to incorporate their businesses into the real market. TIC Americas goes beyond traditional business plan competitions in that it incorporates the elements of training, mentoring, access to entrepreneurial resources and other opportunities that young entrepreneurs need to make their businesses grow in the national and international marketplace.

Around 700 teams registered in the semifinals and approximately 30 teams will be selected to participate in the Final Round in Honduras where they will compete in 7 categories: Creative Design, Tradition and Culture, E-Business, Spirit of Entrepreneurship, New Markets, Social Entrepreneurship, and International Alliance. The winners will be nominated to participate in the Global TIC Award & Forum that will take place in August 2009 in Asia.

For more information contact Yeruti Mendez at [email protected] www.ticamericas.net or www.ybiz.net
 

Informal Conversation between the Secretary General of the OAS and the Representatives of Civil Society Organizations
Place: Centro Social Hondureño Arabe, San Pedro Sula
Date: Sunday, May 31st
Time: 9:30am - 11:30am

This meeting will provide an opportunity for civil society representatives to engage in a dialogue with the OAS Secretary General and offer comments regarding their work as it relates to the theme of the General Assembly “Toward a Culture of Non-Violence”, the four OAS priority areas (Democracy, Human Rights, Multidimensional Security, and Integral Development), and ways to ensure a continued fruitful collaboration between civil society and the OAS. For more information on the requirements for participation in the dialogue, please visit the OAS Civil Society Web page: www.civil-society.oas.org.
 

Coordination Meeting between Civil Society Organizations
Place: Hotel Hilton, Grand Bristol Room
Date: Sunday, May 31st
Time: 2:30pm - 5:30pm

The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for civil society representatives to discuss among themselves and formulate recommendations about the theme of the General Assembly “Toward a Culture of Non-Violence” and the four OAS priority areas (Democracy, Human Rights, Multidimensional Security, and Integral Development) in preparation for the Dialogue of Heads of Delegation, the OAS Secretary General and representatives of civil society that will take place on June 1st.
 

Dialogue of heads of delegation with representatives of the workers in the OAS member states
Place: Centro Social Hondureño Arabe, San Pedro Sula
Date: Monday June 1st
Time: 09:00 am -10:30 am
 

Dialogue of heads of delegation with representatives of the Private Sector Forum
Place: Centro Social Hondureño Arabe, San Pedro Sula
Date: Monday June 1st
Time: 10:45 am -12:15 pm

The heads of delegation attending the thirty-ninth regular session of the General Assembly will also meet with private-sector representatives in a dialogue chaired by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Honduras, Patricia Rodas; the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza; and the OAS Assistant Secretary General, Ambassador Albert Ramdin.
 

Luncheon-dialogue of heads of delegation with permanent observers
Place: Intercontinental Hotel, Salón Real
Date: Monday June 1st
Time: 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

The ministers of foreign affairs, heads of delegation of the OAS member countries, and the Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, will meet with the heads of delegation of the permanent observer countries to discuss the theme of the General Assembly and other matters of common interest, including economic cooperation. For more information on the Dialogue, please visit the Department of International Affairs Web page: http://www.der.oas.org.
 

Dialogue of Heads of Delegation with Representatives of Civil Society
Place: Centro Social Hondureño Arabe, San Pedro Sula
Date: Monday, June 1st
Time: 2:45pm - 4:15pm

The Dialogue among the Ministers of Foreign Affairs or the Heads of Delegation of the OAS Member States, the OAS Secretary General, and Representatives of Civil Society will create a space for civil society to exchange experiences and offer recommendations for consideration by the Heads of Delegation in their ongoing deliberations at the General Assembly session. For more information on the requirements for participation in the dialogue, please visit the OAS Civil Society Web page: www.civil-society.oas.org.