Two categories of events have recently energized the OAS General Secretariat. One has been the campaign for the election of the next Secretary General; the other has been the Lecture Series of the Americas.
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(Former US President, Jimmy Carter)

»The Promise and Peril of Democracy
 

"I am concerned that the lofty ideas espoused in the Democratic Charter are not all being honored. I am concerned that poverty and inequality continue unabated. And I am concerned that we in this room, representing governments and, in some cases, privileged societies, are not demonstrating the political will to shore up our fragile democracies..." (read entire speech)

The Lecture Series of the Americas (PDF File) was created by the OAS Permanent Council, acting on an initiative of the Peruvian government and the University of San Martin de Porres.

Lecture of the Americas Webpage

CP/RES. 870 (1446/04) LECTURE SERIES OF THE AMERICAS

Página electrónica de la Cátedra de las Américas

CP/RES. 870 (1436/04) CÁTEDRA DE LAS AMÉRICAS

»Al romper barreras conceptuales se destapan posibilidades inimaginables
Presentación del Licenciado Francisco Flores ante el Consejo Permanente de la OEA, Washington, D.C., 27 de enero de 2005

"...es necesario que la OEA se vincule más estrechamente a las grandes decisiones del hemisferio.
Hay que tomar muy en serio el papel de Secretaría de Cumbres presidenciales y llenar el vacío que hoy tienen los gobernantes de no tener un espacio permanente de discusión de los temas fundamentales de sus países.
Vincular a la OEA con el centro del debate hemisférico es el gran reto de la  Organización, y lo que le devolverá su relevancia y su prestigio."
(leer presentación completa)

»Poverty alleviation is the first priority of every serious and responsible country
Address by former President of El Salvador, Mr. Francisco Flores to the Permanent Council, Washington, DC January 27, 2005

Commitment to basic infrastructure investments exceeds the budgets of the majority of poor countries.
Developing countries, overwhelmed with debt, (...) will not be able to obtain the resources necessary to provide their people with the infrastructure to generate development opportunities.
(read entire speech)

Video of the Special Meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to receive former President of El Salvador, Francisco Flores

Video of the Press Conference/Conferencia de Prensa: Francisco Flores, former President of El Salvador and Roger Noriega, US Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs

»El talón de Aquiles de la democracia está en la gobernabilidad
Palabras del Ministro del Interior de Chile, José Miguel Insulza ante el Consejo Permanente de la OEA, Washington, DC 1 de febrero de 2005

Vivimos en un mundo globalizado que requiere de instituciones, normas y regímenes para generar las condiciones de una convivencia estable y próspera. De allí el valor que asignamos a lo multilateral como el mecanismo legítimo e inclusivo, capaz de orientar este proceso ordenador que debe estar marcado por el sello de la cooperación.
La OEA tiene una función clave que jugar en este esquema para proyectar la perspectiva regional en un sistema internacional integrado, cooperativo y transparente.
(lea discurso completo)

»Democratic institutions must be strengthened and given credibility
Speech by the Minister of the Interior of Chile, José Miguel Insulza before the Permanent Council of the OAS, Washington, DC February, 1st, 2005

The Inter-American Human Rights System is one of the Organization’s greatest achievements. As a Chilean, I have witnessed the role that the System played in the reestablishment of democracy in my country.
To achieve an even greater understanding of the protection of fundamental rights, we will contribute to the constructive dialogue between the Commission and the Court and the judicial powers of the Member States with the goal of allowing for joint action in the promotion and protection of human rights.
Democratic institutions must be strengthened and given credibility. In order for this to be achieved it is necessary to develop autonomous judicial systems that grant real and timely access to citizens when their rights are violated, making the principles of equality and transparency a reality
(read entire speech)

Video of the Special Meeting of the OAS Permanent Council to receive Minister of the Interior of Chile, José Miguel Insulza

Video of the Press Conference/Conferencia de Prensa: Minister of the Interior of Chile/Ministro del Interior de Chile, José Miguel Insulza
 

»Strengthening of the legal framework is needed to sustain such a large-scale demobilization

The Acting Secretary General of OAS, Luigi R. Einaudi, expressed satisfaction with the demobilization of the 925 fighters from the Sinu-San Jorge faction of the United Self Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC). (more)
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»Apoyo al proceso de paz en Colombia

La OEA en el proceso de paz en Colombia está contribuyendo a la transparencia y credibilidad del esfuerzo que se está realizando en ese país en la búsqueda de una paz duradera. (ver página y documentos oficiales)

»Demobilization Process in Colombia
Report by the Inter-American Commssion on Human Rights

The members of the paramilitary fronts involved in the process of demobilization now being fostered by the government have been repeatedly accused of responsibility for serious violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
(English)  (Spanish)