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OAS Convenes Ministers and High Authorities on Social Development in Cali to Advance Social Agenda of the Americas

  July 6, 2010

Ministers and High Authorities on Social Development of the hemisphere will hold their Second Ministerial Meeting in the framework of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Cali, Colombia, on July 8 and 9.

In answer to the current global economic crisis and its imminent impact on poverty, extreme poverty and inequality in the region, top national authorities of OAS Member States will reflect on the strengthening and sustainability of the systems of social protection. The following key subject areas will be discussed in this framework: the strengthening of social protection systems as an integral strategy for addressing vulnerable populations; alliances between the public sector and non-governmental organizations, academia and the private sector for more effective social policies; and the inter-sector challenges facing ministers and social development agencies in addressing problems such as the promotion of employment and income generation, the strengthening of food safety policies and the management of social risk to reduce the vulnerability of victims of natural disasters.

The meeting, hosted by the government of Colombia through its National Planning Department, expects to approve a “Statement of Ministers and High Authorities on Social Development” to outline mandates received by Heads of State and Government in the framework of the process of Summits of the Americas and offer directives and priorities for the Work Plan 2010 – 2012 of the OAS Inter-American Committee on Social Development.

More information on this ministerial meeting is available here.

WHAT: Second Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Social Development of the OAS

WHEN: July 8 and 9, 2010

WHERE: Centro de Eventos Valle del Pacífico, Cali, Colombia



Reference: AVI-212/10