The democracies of the region require states that are able to respond to the complex demands of the people, to foster a fully democratic citizenship, and to reduce poverty and inequality.  For this reason, it is fundamental to strengthen the human resource and institutional capacity of the public sector.

The OAS has ample experience in the training of political and social leaders on democratic governance, through its Program of Promotion of Democratic Leadership and Citizenship - PROLIDEM (1999-2005) and its Training Program for Democratic Leaders - CALIDEM (2001-2006), as well as collaborating with social, academic and political institutions. The Department offers its experience and technical knowledge to assist in strengthening of capacities in the public sector.

The Section proposes to work on the creation, in the near future, of a hemispheric study and training center, in close collaboration with prominent institutions in public administration, political management, social management and education for democratic citizenship.

Strategy of work

A. To provide support for the human resource development of civil employees of the Public Administration through the creation of an inter-American center for human resource development in the Public Administration fostering communication and promotion of democratic values and practices among government officials. This will include participatory workshops, the promotion of new methodologies, and the formation and strengthening of networks of training and human resource development institutions.
 
B. To strengthen the technical capacity of the Department’s Sections in the design and execution of courses, workshops and seminars such as seminars for legislators, distance learning courses on decentralization and workshops on ethics, transparency and access to public information.

C. To provide technical assistance for the promotion of the democratic citizenship.  Through the Inter-American Program on Education in Democratic Values and Practices, the section will promote exchanges and links between education authorities and other government institutions, through seminars or meetings with legislative institutions and workshops and meetings within the RIAD and MESICIC frameworks.  In addition, technical advice will be offered regarding democracy and governance through the network of experts of the Secretariat for Political Affairs.