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AT OAS FORUM, CIVIL SOCIETY CONTRIBUTES TO CRAFTING OF DECLARATION FOR NEXT GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Some 80 representatives from nearly 70 civil society organizations concluded a weeklong forum at the Organization of American States in Washington at the weekend, after deliberations that produced recommendations on the Declaration of Medellin that the hemisphere’s foreign ministers will issue at the OAS General Assembly, set for early June in Medellin, Colombia.

The Hemispheric Forum with Civil Society, under theme “Youth and Democratic Values in the Framework of Partnering with Civil Society,” brought together civil society representatives—46 of them women—from 25 countries, to engage with member state representatives and OAS Secretariat officials. They analyzed a variety of topics and made recommendations related to social entrepreneurship, training in democratic values, good governance and transparency, as well as the role of the media as vital elements that should be addressed in the Declaration of Medellin.

The renewed emphasis on engaging civil society is “indicative of a new dynamic of inclusion and consensus-building” in the Americas, OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin reiterated in remarks during a special Permanent Council session that wrapped up the Hemispheric Forum, which was moderated by Summits of the Americas Secretariat Director David Morris.

Inclusion and diversity were also hallmarked in the civil society representation, with participants speaking for organizations engaged on a range of issues important to women, indigenous peoples and afro-descendants, among others. The civil society representatives also argued that the Declaration of Medellin should include language on guaranteeing the rights of youth, their juridical person and their right to personal identification in order to be able to exercise their rights and access services on an equal basis.

During the Permanent Council session—which Grenada’s Ambassador Denis Antoine chaired on behalf of Council Chairman Ambassador Cornelius Smith of the Bahamas—the Assistant Secretary General underscored the significance of member states and civil society exchanging views and expertise to inform public policy. Ramdin noted the growing recognition at the highest political levels that “social organizations serve as agents of democracy, social change and progress.” Both Ramdin and Summits Secretariat Director Morris lauded the government of Colombia for allowing civil society the opportunity to contribute to the draft Declaration of Medellin.

Civil society representatives addressed the member state ambassadors at the Permanent Council session as well, presenting their recommendations. For his part, Morris acknowledged the spirited participation of civil society in the week’s activities, reiterating that “partnership is what a democratic culture entails: governments, citizens and institutions collaborating constructively to meet the expectations we all have for democratic societies that are just, inclusive and respectful of the rights of others.”

Trinidad and Tobago’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Ambassador Marina Valere, who is also Chair of the OAS Committee on Inter-American Summits Management and Civil Society Participation in OAS

Activities, welcomed the contributions of civil society organizations, adding that her country, hosts of the Fifth Summit of the Americas slated for April 2009, will also provide civil society with an opportunity to be involved in that Summit.

At the forum’s opening on March 10, Secretary for External Relations Suzanne Laporte told participants of plans for the OAS civil society program that now falls under the purview of her Secretariat. She cited among major achievements an OAS Registry with 238 civil society organizations, with thousands of recommendations compiled for transmittal to the member states. Laporte stressed effective civil society participation as “a shared responsibility,” urging those present to make maximum use of resources within their own countries, to communicate with their respective governments to ensure effective participation in the policy making process.

Reference: E-085/08