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THE OAS TRAINS FUTURE LEADERS OF THE HEMISPHERE

The Organization of American States (OAS) is holding its 4th Model of the Permanent Council for OAS Interns (4th MOAS/PC) at OAS Headquarters. The MOAS Program is designed to promote democratic values among the youth of the Hemisphere through simulation exercises of the OAS main political bodies, in which students represent the Organization’s Member States and negotiate resolutions to promote democracy, human rights, hemispheric security and development in the Americas. The purpose of this 4th MOAS/PC is to familiarize the 77 interns from throughout the Hemisphere that are doing their Summer internship at the Organization, with the work of the Permanent Council of the OAS, so that they can acquire an integral view of the mission, functions and work of the organization. This is an official activity of the OAS Internship Program.

The keynote speaker at the opening ceremony this morning, was the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the OAS, Ambassador Anthony Johnson, who provided an overview on the development of democracy in the Hemisphere from the imperial period of the 18th and 19th centuries, to the founding of the Pan American Union in 1889, and how after WWII the OAS was established. He also summarized the chronology of the Caribbean countries joining the OAS in the 1960’s, as well as the suspension of Cuba during that decade, as well as the derogation of its suspension 2 months ago and suspension of Honduras less than 1 month ago.

Ms. Irene Klinger, Director of the Department of International Affairs, which together with the Department of Human Resources of the OAS organizes this event, gave an overview of the OAS and its role as the main political body of the Hemisphere, highlighting the main events and actions taken by the OAS regarding Honduras. She reiterated that the Member States applied articles 20th and 21st of the Inter-American Democratic Chart in their decision for suspending Honduras.

The newly appointed Ambassador of Panama to the OAS, Guillermo Cochez, was a special guest and he briefly addressed the interns to wish them luck in their deliberations pointing out that the work of negotiation and compromise that they would practice throughout the day will serve them well for their professional and personal life.

By the end of the 4th MOAS/PC, this afternoon the interns will have approved 2 resolutions on the following topics: “Strengthening border control among OAS Member States to combat illicit drug trafficking in the Americas,” and “Combating arms trafficking in the Americas.” The interns received technical assistance from OAS experts on these topics, and also from diplomats regarding the policies of the countries they are representing at the MOAS. The Secretary for External Relations of the OAS, Ambassador Adam Blackwell, and the Director of the Department of Human Resources, Rosa Maria Barreiro, will be the speakers at the closing ceremony this afternoon.

For information about the MOAS program visit: www.moas.oas.org. For information about OAS Internships visit: http://www.oas.org/internships

Reference: E-249/09