THE SECRETARY GENERAL,

    In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by articles 114 and 118 of the Charter and articles 4, 8, and 11 of the General Standards to Govern the Operations of the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States, and

CONSIDERING:

    That, by resolution AG/RES.1063/90, the General Assembly requested the Secretary General to establish within the General Secretariat a Unit for Promotion of Democracy.

    That the number of personnel will not be increased nor additional budgetary cost incurred to accomplish this end, at this moment.

RESOLVES:

1.    To create a Unit for Promotion of Democracy which will have the functions and responsibilities established in this Executive Order.

2.    To assign the personnel of the Advisory Group to the Unit for Promotion of Democracy under the administrative direction of the Secretary General.

I. RESPONSIBILITIES

1.    Provide a program of support for democratic development, which can respond promptly and effectively to member states which in the full exercise of their sovereignty request advice or assistance to preserve or strengthen their political institutions and democratic procedures.

2.    Function as sole program for democratic development for the General Secretariat.

3.    Cooperate with the governments and institutions of the member states in holding seminars and training programs in the area of democratic development.

4.    Encourage dialogue on democratic principles and values within the hemisphere.

  II. FUNCTIONS

1.    Advise the Secretary General on matters related to the work of the Unit.

2.    Coordinate the relations of the Unit with other areas of the General Secretariat.

3.    Coordinate with other multilateral organizations, and government and private institutions activities, and missions concerned with democratic development.

4.    Develop inventories and data banks of individuals and institutions specializing in political studies on democratic systems and institutions as well as human and material resources for carrying out missions, training, and other activities.

5.    Develop standards and procedures for organizing electoral observation missions.

6.    Plan, and coordinate electoral observer missions.

7.    Plan, and coordinate courses, seminars, round tables and training programs to facilitate the exchange of information and expertise in order to strengthen political institutions and democratic procedures in the member states.

8.    Respond to inquiries and requests for information in the area of democratic development posed by the governing bodies and member states of the Organization.

III. AMENDMENTS AND REPEALS

This Executive Order supersedes all present norms, regulations and practices of the General Secretariat to the contrary.

IV. EFFECT

This Executive Order shall take effect on the date on which it is signed.

Joao Clemente Baena Soares
Secretary General

Date: October 15, 1990
Original: English