OEA/Ser.P
AG/RES. 1788 (XXXI-O/01)
5 June 2001
Original: Spanish

PROMOTION OF THE MODEL OAS GENERAL ASSEMBLY PROGRAM FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND YOUNG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

(Resolution adopted at the third plenary session, held on June 5, 2001;
subject to review by the Style Committee)

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY,

CONSIDERING that the Model OAS General Assembly Program (MOAS Program) of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States is designed to promote greater awareness of the OAS among high school and university students in OAS member states;

RECOGNIZING the importance of having held the first pilot program of the MOAS General Assembly for universities away from OAS headquarters, in the Argentine Republic, in September, 1997;

WELCOMING the fact that the twentieth and twenty-first regular sessions of the Model OAS General Assembly for universities were held at the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, from March 26-31, 2000, and in the city of San Martín de los Andes, in the Province of Neuquén, in the Argentine Republic from April 29 to May 4, 2001;

EMPHASIZING the successful outcome of the MOAS General Assembly in San Martín de los Andes, which consolidated interest in conducting these regular sessions, like those of the OAS General Assembly, in a different country each year;

WELCOMING further the initiative of the Edgar Maya Model OAS General Assembly program in successfully holding regular sessions of the Model OAS General Assembly in Washington, D.C. with technical and logistical support from the General Secretariat;

REITERATING that high school students throughout the Hemisphere, as well as university students, should have access to the MOAS Program to the broadest extent permitted by funding availability;

BEARING IN MIND the interest also shown by high school students in the countries of the Hemisphere in participating in the Model OAS General Assembly;

NOTING that the Plan of Action of the Third Summit of the Americas recognizes that education is the key to strengthening democratic institutions, promoting the development of human potential, equality and understanding among the peoples of the Americas and that it is necessary to encourage the participation of young people by offering them opportunities to express their views and contribute to discussions in local, national, regional, and international foras and meetings.

ASSERTING the importance of education of citizens and of strengthening a culture of democracy in the Hemisphere;

STRESSING the opportunity provided, in the context of resolution AG/RES. 1733 (XXX-O/00), which declared the year 2001 "Inter-American Year of the Child and the Adolescent," to promote the education of high school students;

RECALLING, furthermore, resolution AG/RES. 1761 (XXX-O/00), which encouraged member states to continue to support the Model OAS General Assembly Program with respect to the MOAS General Assembly for universities; and

HAVING SEEN CP/doc.3453/01 rev. 1 "Report of the General Secretariat on fulfillment of the resolution 'The MODEL OAS General Assembly Program'" [AG/RES. 1761 (XXX-O/00)],

RESOLVES:

1. To encourage member states once again to continue to support the Model OAS General Assembly Program and to make voluntary contributions to General Secretariat to assist in financing the infrastructure and logistical support needed to host regular sessions of the Model OAS General Assembly for universities away from headquarters and in the official languages of the OAS.

2. To recognize the outstanding work, tireless dedication and enthusiasm of the Faculty Council that created the Edgar Maya Model OAS General Assembly Program as a self-financing program held in Washington, D.C. that has continually expanded the participation of universities from the member states.

3. To urge member states also to extend that support to help finance regular sessions of the Model OAS General Assembly for high school students.

4. To encourage member states to offer to host regular sessions of the Model General Assembly for university students and high school students.

5. To request the Secretary General to reiterate his invitation to permanent observers and interested organizations and institutions to make donations to facilitate holding regular sessions of the Model General Assembly for both university and high school students.

6. To request the General Secretariat to present to the Permanent Council an annual plan of activities of the Model OAS program, accompanied by a financial plan for implementation, and semi-annual reports on the activities, which will include concise information on achievement of goals.