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FELIPE GONZALEZ OUTLINES CHALLENGES IN THE REGION

The former president of Spain, Felipe González, outlined today the basic priorities for an integral development in the region, urging a better income distribution, more infrastructure development, private savings with incentives, and emphasis on the value of human capital, as well as a pragmatic democracy.

González spoke on "Challenges Confronting Latin America and the Caribbean," during the eighth Lecture Series of the Americas at the Organization of the American States (OAS).

The former president, who headed the Spanish Government from 1982 to 1996, was welcomed by José Miguel Insulza, OAS Secretary General and by the Chair of the Permanent Council, Ambassador Roberto Alvarez. Insulza praised Gonzalez’s in-depth knowledge of the challenges facing Latin America and his long standing commitment to strengthening relations between Europe and the Americas.

"We live in a region of the world where the democratic system is widespread and where there are certain failures of its development challenges despite the economic reforms that it has yielded," González said referring to the urgent need to mover beyond an ideological democracy to a pragmatic one, and at the same time achieving a greater income distribution to address basic human needs.

Following the presentation by González, a round table was held with a group of experts. The Director of the OAS Department of Communications and External Relations, Irene Klinger, moderated the panel which included: Mark Schneider, Senior Vice President of the International Crisis Group; Richard Fletcher, Principal Advisor from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB); Nancy Zucker Boswell, Managing Director of Transparency International; and Hernán Garrido Lecca, Director, International Economics Department, Institute of Government, San Martin de Porres University.


The Lecture Series of the Americas was created by the OAS Permanent Council, on a Peruvian government initiative, to promote democratic principles and values in the countries of the hemisphere. The monthly conferences feature internationally known speakers who address key issues of the hemispheric agenda, such as the strengthening of democracy, human rights, social development, hemispheric security and the fight against poverty. The 12 conferences scheduled for 2005 are being held thanks to a financial contribution from Peru’s San Martín de Porres University and support from the government of the People’s Republic of China and the Hellenic Republic.

Former US President Jimmy Carter, IDB President Enrique Iglesias, International Criminal Court President Phillipe Kirsh, Nobel Laureate for Literature Derek Walcott of Saint Lucia, former US Assistant Secretary of the Treasury John B. Taylor, the President of the Inter-American Press Association, Alejandro Miró Quesada and OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza have been keynote speakers for the previous lectures.

Reference: E-197/05