Events

• Ministers of Education of the Americas Meet in Suriname to Strengthen the Role of Teachers
  Paramaribo, Suriname, Thursday March 1, 2012

Paramaribo, Suriname, Thursday March 1, 2012



Ministers of Education of the Americas will meet March 1-2 in Paramaribo, Suriname, in an event coordinated by the Organization of American States (OAS) to analyze the current status of the teaching profession in the region, and propose policies and strategies that strengthen the role of professional educators.





The Seventh Meeting of the Ministers of Education, to be held at the Royal Torarica Hotel in the Surinamese capital, will be inaugurated on Thursday March 1st by the President of the host country, Desi Bouterse; the OAS Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza; and the Minister of Education and Community Development of Suriname, Raymond Sapoen.





The meeting is scheduled to conclude Friday, March 2, with the adoption of the "Declaration of Paramaribo: Transforming the role of teachers to meet the challenges of the XXI Century," the final text of which will be agreed upon during the meeting. OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin will attend the final session. Following the session, there will be a press conference.





During the two-day meetings, the ministers will hold nine plenary sessions, seeking to determine what kind of teaching today’s student requires and what role governments play in ensuring quality education for all.





Furthermore, they will discuss educational institutions, proposing mechanisms to strengthen partnerships between institutions both within the educational system and other external sectors; analyze priorities for cooperation between countries; suggest concrete actions in the framework of the OAS to strengthen the role of teachers; review progress made ​​in the previous ministerial mandates; establish the basis for the Work Plan 2012-2014 of the Commission on Education (CIE); and elect officials of the Executive Committee of the CIE for the next two years.





The meeting in Paramaribo will be the Seventh Meeting of Ministers of Education led by the OAS. The first was held in Brasilia in 1998, and since then ministers have met every two years: in Punta del Este, Uruguay; Mexico City, Mexico; Scarborough, Trinidad and Tobago; Cartagena de Indias, Colombia; and Quito, Ecuador.





Parallel to the Ministerial Meeting, the OAS is organizing the “Virtual Educa Caribbean" Conference in the Surinamese capital, a forum open to representatives of governments, academic institutions, the private sector, and civil society. The forum provides an environment for participants to exchange their experiences on how to apply the latest information and communication technologies to education. It will be the first "Virtual Educa" held in the Caribbean.

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• First Virtual Educa Caribbean Conference
  Paramaribo, Suriname, Wednesday February 29, 2012

Paramaribo, Suriname, Wednesday February 29, 2012



From February 29 to March 2, 2012 the first Virtual Educa Caribbean conference, with a focus on the non Spanish-speaking Caribbean, will be held in Paramaribo, Suriname. This event will take place concurrently with the VII Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Education organized by the Organization of American States.

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Democracy

• Strengthening Youth Participation and Decision-making

  Strengthening Youth Participation and Decision-making
  
  

  Executing Agency: Directorate of Youth Affairs of the Ministry of Education and Community Development
  

  Duration: 3 (three) years
  

  
  

  The need and desire for a supervised setting and activities for children and youth during non-school hours that contribute positively to their progress toward productive adulthood has grown over the last several decades. The national youth policy of the participating countries is one in which the government aimed at stimulating active citizenship and decision-making at political level. When youth participate in community-based out-of-school time programs, they are likely to benefit in a myriad of ways. The goal of this project is to contribute to strengthening political participation and decision-making among young people in Suriname and CARICOM countries, through trainings and workshops.
  

  
  

  2008–2009 US$35,900
  

  2009-2010 US$27,065
  

  2010-2011 Extension Approved

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Early Childhood Education

• “Early Childhood Education in the Interior of Suriname”

  “Early Childhood Education in the Interior of Suriname”
  
  

  Executing Agency: Stichting CARIN
  

  Duration: 4 (four) years
  

  
  

  The improvement of pre-school education and childrearing in the socio-economically deprived areas of the Interior of Suriname for youngsters in the 3-6 years age range is one of the greatest problems.
  

  
  

  One of the important goals is to promote better educational opportunities and provide a basis for further development in life for the young ones in the Interior of Suriname. In this project 200 young children of 3 – 6 years will be involved in a special program: “Leri for Life Early Childhood Development” (Handbook: Manual Leri for Life Method) with the aim to stimulate their development of school and basic life skills so that the children can be better prepared for primary school and have a basis for further development in life.
  

  
  

  2008-2009 US$63,525
  

  2009-2010 US$74,995
  

  2010-2011 US$66,150

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Education and Culture

• “This is Me, With My Own Culture: An Intercultural School Project for Strengthening of Cultural Feelings in Children of Suriname” (2 years)

  “This is Me, With My Own Culture: An Intercultural School Project for Strengthening of Cultural Feelings in Children of Suriname” (2 years)
  
  

  Executing Agency: Foundation Stichting Projekten Christelijk Onderwijs (PCOS)
  

  
  

  This project will contribute to the social and emotional education of children between the ages 4 and 8. The cultural aspects in a multi-ethnic environment are a very important part in this development. Through games, talks, storytelling and music they will discover their differences, but more importantly, they will discover that there are more things that keep them together, such as feelings of fear, happiness, friendship, pride. The project produced and developed alternative teaching material, and didactical working forms. On June 27th, 2011 the cultural children's story-book entitled "This is Me with my Own Culture" was presented at the Children Books' Festival in Paramaribo. In this book, which is written in Dutch, children talk about traditions and customs of their culture, so that others can learn more about the different cultures in Suriname.
  

  
  

  2007-2010 US$ 22,808
  

Democracy Education

• “Democracy Education for Youngsters: Democratic signs in People’s Mind”

  “Democracy Education for Youngsters: Democratic signs in People’s Mind”
  
  

  Executing Agency: Democracy Unit – University of Suriname
  

  Duration 1 year
  

  
  

  The focus of the project is on children of the fifth and sixth grades of elementary schools across the country, with the aim to guide them towards a better understanding of principles like: freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of religion, equal opportunities and equal rights, minority and majority participation and good government. Another aspect is to inspire them to discuss matters with others concerning democracy, democratic behavior, good governance, integrity and related subjects.
  

  
  

  This pilot project started in December 2010 at 35 primary schools. As part of the curriculum an instructional book entitled "Democratie en ik" (Democracy and me) was produced. A public media campaign for television was launched, with posters, stickers, DVDs and CDs. On July 30th, 2011, the project activities were concluded with the presentation of Certificates of Appreciation to the teachers who had successfully participated in the training "Democracy Education for Youngsters."
  

  
  

  2010-2011 US$80,000

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OAS Internships

The OAS Student Internship Program is designed for undergraduate, graduate and young professional student to allow them to work within their fields of study. The program although unpaid is very competitive. The OAS has 28 national offices and some special programs located in the member states. Internships are available in almost all of the offices and this will allow interns to choose whether they prefer to work in their home country or in another office.

• Why the Organization of American States?

  The Organization of American States (OAS) is the main political forum of the hemisphere which promotes and supports Democracy, Human Rights, Multidimensional Security and the Integral Development in the Americas. The OAS seeks to prevent conflicts and to provide political stability, social inclusion and prosperity in the region, through dialogue and collective actions.

• What is our offer?

  We offer you a unique opportunity to gain work experience in different areas and in an international and a multicultural environment. You will have the opportunity to participate in a meaningful learning experience with orientation to the OAS mission, pillars, structure and projects in the hemisphere.

• Where can I do my Internship?

  The OAS has 28 national offices and some special programs located in the member states. This allows anyone interested, to participate in the internship program in their country of origin, or other country of interest.
  

  Besides working in the different projects of the Office, interns must participate in a series of activities that are part of a Complementary Online Program
  

  This is an unpaid internship. Candidates must meet a series of requirements.

• Requirements for application

  • You must have a GPA of 3.0 out of 4 (American scale) or equivalent according to the country. This means that you have to be in the top 25% of your class).
  • While being a student is a requirement for the application, you should also be at least in the second year of your undergraduate program
  • Your internship should last at least 10 weeks and at the most 6 months.

• Documents Required

  • Complete the application form (requested to internships@oas.org)
  • 2 letters of recommendation.
  • Official transcripts with your grades.
  • Currículum Vitae.
  • Copy of your passport.
  • Once you are selected, the Intern should submit Proof of insurance.

  All the documents should be sent to internships@oas.org

  Internships are available in Washington DC. Check out www.oas.org/internships.

OAS Scholarships

The OAS Academic Scholarship Program (Regular Program), established in 1958, grants scholarships every year for the pursuit of Master’s Degrees, Doctoral Degrees and Research leading to a degree. The OAS Special Caribbean Scholarships Program (SPECAF), established in 1983, grants scholarships for the last two years of undergraduate studies to citizens and residents of the English-speaking Caribbean OAS Member States. In addition to these programs the OAS, through its Partnerships Program for Education and Training (PAEC), is able to offer other attractive scholarship opportunities for academic studies with the support of its partner institutions in the Americas and around the world.

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OAS - Rowe Fund Educational loan programs for Studies in the United States

The OAS - Rowe Fund loan program for studies in the United States was established in 1948.  This program grants financial aid in the form of interest-free loans for up to $15,000 dollars for graduate, research, and the last two years of undergraduate studies, including semester exchange programs.  Applications may be submitted at any time during the studies in the U.S. and are accepted and reviewed year-round.  For more information about how to obtain a Rowe Fund loan, find other financial aid for studies abroad, or identify a university in the United States according to field of study, cost, or location, visit: www.oas.org/en/rowefund and follow us on Facebook at: www.facebook.com/rowefund