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OAS NATIONAL DIRECTORS MEETING AT HEADQUARTERS IN WASHINGTON

Opening a two-day meeting of Organization of American States (OAS) Office directors today, Secretary General José Miguel Insulza told the participants of plans to expand their role as representatives of the hemispheric body in the member states. “We really feel we have to do something different with the offices of the OAS in member states,” the Secretary General said, explaining the need to engage these offices more effectively as “real representatives of the policies of the Organization.”

The directors have been brought together for exchange of information and to be briefed on the organization’s new structure, policy orientations and operational procedures in the major areas at the forefront of the OAS’ work, such as democracy, human rights, combating illegal drugs, multidimensional security, integral development, education and sustainable development.

In welcoming the directors to Headquarters, Insulza commended their work on the ground in the member states, reiterating that while the offices will remain relevant as long as there are cooperation programs with the countries the OAS serves, those offices are not only about cooperation because they serve very important purposes in other areas. He cited the organization’s renewed emphasis on governance-related efforts and on being more proactive with respect to the Inter-American Democratic Charter as it relates to corruption, transparency, an independent judiciary, as it continues its important work in monitoring elections and conflicts around the hemisphere, among other key issues.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Council’s Chair, Saint Lucia’s Ambassador Sonia Johnny underscored her shared vision of the goals of the new OAS leadership to make the organization “more relevant to its membership, efficient in its management and effective in reaching out to its constituents.” Noting their importance` in the new era, Ambassador Johnny also urged the OAS Office directors to embrace their role in “arming the Organization to tackle the major challenges for future generations.”

Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin presented a strategic document on the OAS Offices and introduced his cabinet, including chief of staff Alfonso Quiñonez and advisors Sherry Tross and Kevin Isaac, the latter chairing the two-day meeting as coordinator for the OAS Offices.

Ambassador Ramdin reiterated that the meeting is in part to discuss the new integrated approach to strengthening democracy, human rights and the rule of law, security and development. It is now connecting them, he said, adding: “That is because we have the experience that democracy is not an end in itself. It is just a vehicle for organizing ourselves within countries.” Ambassador Ramdin pledged headquarters’ full support, as he urged the directors to continue raising awareness in their host countries about the OAS’ new emphasis that “security, development and democracy are critically interlinked and that governability, stability and sustainability in the end depend on bringing these things together and developing and designing a new policy.”

Reference: E-005/06