(E-089/00)
RONALD SCHEMAN ASSUMES DIRECTION OF
THE
INTER-AMERICAN AGENCY FOR COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT
The Director General of the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development (IACD), Ronald Scheman, affirmed today that the main objective of the Agency will be to find new methods of cooperation, through the participation of the public and private sectors of the member states and permanent observers of the Organization of American States (OAS).
"We will open a continuing dialogue of cooperation among the governments, the private sector and civil society", stated Mr. Scheman in accepting his appointment this past April 13 during the annual meeting of the Inter-American Council on Integral Development. He also promised to establish informal consultative groups to involve those sectors in the analysis and planning of the new Agency, adding that "they will provide a perspective that will make our efforts more effective".
Besides affirming that the needs of technical cooperation are the most critical area for second generation reforms, Mr. Scheman pointed out that in order to complete these reforms the countries will require increased technical cooperation and training. He also assured that the Agency would develop its programs in close collaboration with other national and international organizations, such as the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations and, especially, the subregional development banks. "We will seek to maximize our effectiveness and complement the efforts of these entities", he emphasized.
Finally, Mr. Scheman affirmed that his administration will place particular emphasis on transparency in all of the Agency's operations, ensuring that both the governments and peoples of the Hemisphere have the opportunity to evaluate every facet of the its different development projects.
With broad experience in the field of hemispheric cooperation, Ronald Scheman held the position of Assistant Secretary of Management in the OAS and later that of Executive Director of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). He was also one of the founders of the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), where he occupied the posts of Executive Director and Chairman of the Board.
The author of numerous books, among them the Inter-American Dilemma (1988) and the The Alliance for Progress in Retrospect (1989), Ronald Scheman collaborates periodically on articles and editorials for various international publications.