Contributions 2010

Support by the Permanent Observers during 2010 made possible many success stories in the Americas that contributed to  the strengthening of democracy, the advancement of human rights, the implementation of policies that support economic, social, and sustainable development, and ensuring better security for the citizens of the Americas. In 2010, Permanent Observers’ support to OAS programs reached US$15.7 million in cash contributions and an estimated value of US$825,787 in training courses, technical exchanges, and the donation of equipment.


Contributions: 2014·2013·2012·2011·2010·2009·2008·2007·2006·2005

Promoting Democracy

During 2010, OAS Electoral Observation Missions for municipal, legislative and presidential elections were conducted in Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Suriname with the support of China, Finland, France, Korea, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland,  and the United Kingdom. The OAS also carried out programs to strengthen electoral management bodies, to incorporate gender perspective in electoral observation methodology, and to conduct sound political analyses in the region, with the contributions of Germany and Spain.

Thanks to the support received from Germany, Ireland, The Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland to the OAS Mission to Support the Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OAS) more than 31,000 paramilitaries have been demobilized, and the OAS has been active in the destruction of over 18,000 weapons.

In 2010, the OAS Peace Fund received support for the OAS Belize-Guatemala Adjacency Zone Office, as well as for the restoration of a climate of confidence between Colombia and Ecuador. These programs received contributions from Azerbaijan, China, Spain, Qatar, and the United Kingdom.

Ensuring a Multidimensional Approach to Security

The OAS Comprehensive Demining Programs helped clear more than 3 million square meters of land and destroy 70,000 mines making Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Suriname landmine-free under the Ottawa Treaty. The implementation of mine risk education and rehabilitation programs were possible thanks to the support from Belgium, Italy, and Norway.

In 2010, France and Spain contributed to the work of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) by funding programs that addressed demand reduction, rehabilitation, and drug treatment through the European-Latin American and Caribbean cities partnership.

The Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE) received contributions from Israel and Turkey to encourage cooperation among Member States in the areas of aviation security, counter-terrorism financing activities, tourism and port security, and for the development of international cooperation programs to fight criminal activity.

Advancing Gender Equity

Contributions from China to the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) helped develop programs to advance women's rights and gender equality and foster Inter-American cooperation.  

Defending Human Rights

The role of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) in the last decade has been characterized by the strengthening of its system of individual petitions, the derogation, or modification of laws that limited fundamental rights, constitutional reforms, and the advancement of freedom of expression in the Americas. The support of France, Luxembourg and the European Union to the IACHR in 2010 was crucial to ensure that the Commission fulfills its mandates. With contributions from France, European Union, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in 2010, the OAS Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression of the IACHR carried out seminars, working visits to OAS Member States, and increased claims against freedom of expression were brought to the IACHR. Contributions of Germany and the European Union to the OAS Special Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples promoted indigenous peoples’ rights and their participation in the Inter-American system.

Fostering Integral Development and Prosperity

China, Germany, Israel, Luxembourg, Qatar, Spain, Thailand and the United Kingdom focused their contributions in the areas of professional and human development in building a solid entrepreneurial base among low-income and vulnerable populations, in sustainable development, in the protection and management of water resources, as well as disaster relief, and natural hazards-risk management.

Strengthening Access and Effectiveness of Justice

Italy and The Netherlands provided support to the development of judicial facilitators programs in Nicaragua and Guatemala, ensuring greater access to the judicial systems for vulnerable communities, avoiding impunity and violence.

Outreach

Through the Lecture Series of the Americas, as well as OAS Policy Roundtables, contributions from China, Spain, and Turkey helped bring prominent world leaders and intellectuals to enrich the hemispheric debate on key issues of the Inter-American agenda. The Model OAS General Assembly (MOAS), promoting democratic values among the youth of the Hemisphere, also benefitted from the support of Spain.

Cultural programs, including the Americas Magazine and the Orchestra Program for Youths at Risk in Jamaica, Haiti and St. Lucia, received support from Azerbaijan and Korea respectively.