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AT MODEL ASSEMBLY FOR UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, SECRETARY GENERAL
TOUTS RELEVANCE OF OAS

Secretary General José Miguel Insulza has touted the relevance of the Organization of American States (OAS), telling a group of university students from around the Americas that the hemispheric body—the world’s oldest regional organization—has always been engaged on public policies, peace and democracy.

“Today, the OAS is the first on the scene when there is a crisis or when preparations are being made to hold transparent, democratic elections, because the countries trust us and invite us to be involved at those critical junctures of their political life,” Insulza declared to university students as they gathered in Santiago, Chile, for the inauguration of the twenty-sixth OAS Model General Assembly.

The Model Assembly is being held at the Pontificia Catholic University of Chile, and runs until July 17. Jointly sponsored by the OAS, the Pontificia Catholic University of Chile and Corporación Participa, with support from the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry, the event draws participation from the Director of the Center for International Studies, Juan Emilio Cheyre; Vice President of Corporación Participa, Jorge Andrés Richards; and Chile’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alejandro Foxley, among others.

The OAS is the premier hemispheric political forum to which Member States refer all conflicts, the head of the organization said. “We are extremely proud of this, because it means the countries are confident that they will be treated well, and with objectivity and respect.”

He also noted that in its strictest sense law is generated from the OAS, as the Inter-American Democratic Charter, one of the organization’s main instruments, covers policy-making in which the principles of democracy, sovereignty and non-intervention are enshrined.

Citing the OAS Charter, which marked its 60th anniversary this year, the Secretary General stressed that representative democracy has been consolidated: “The hemisphere’s nations now recognize democracy as the only legitimate form of government and our region is proud to have signed, in 2001, the most important document in its modern history: the Inter-American Democratic Charter.”

In his remarks, the Secretary General also made particular mention of gains in economic growth and poverty reduction in Latin America and the Caribbean over the last few years. According to statistics he cited from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the number of persons in extreme poverty fell to just over 13%.

Assuring the students that the OAS places great importance on the youth, Secretary General Insulza pointed to a number of the organization’s bodies, among them the last General Assembly held this past June under the central theme of “Youth and Democratic Values.” He argued further that “our organization seeks to embrace the youth and to help them overcome, while learning from them—tapping into their innovative ideas and their creative spirit.” He also suggested the need to take better advantage of the enormous opportunity presented by the youth to promote and adopt new public policies and strengthen democratic governance in member countries.

Secretary General Insulza hailed the OAS Model General Assembly, calling it “an excellent vehicle for promoting democratic values among the young people and to familiarize the hemisphere’s students and academics with the work of our organization.” Accordingly, he underscored the value of important topics being discussed by the Model Assembly, including financing of political parties, opportunities for OAS cooperation, the effects of transnational organized crime on democracy, regional energy integration, and regional cooperation to apply best practices in preventing and addressing natural disasters.

The twenty-sixth OAS Model Assembly has brought together students from universities across the Americas to participate in an exercise simulating the OAS’ political and parliamentary procedures. Its objective is to help them learn about factors influencing and hindering how Member States make foreign policy. The participants are also learning about solving regional problems; the practice of diplomacy; how to apply the principles of democracy; and how to develop their leadership and negotiating skills.

Reference: E-275/08