- English
On September 25, 9 future diplomats with the
Academy for Educational Development from
Colombia, Peru and Venezuela participating
in a program entitled “Competitiveness in
the Global Marketplace” visited the OAS.
The representatives were given a tour of the
historic OAS building by Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International
Affairs. They received an overview on the
Organization by Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA
Relations, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
On September 24, 26 undergraduate students
from American University visited the OAS for
a tour and briefing. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, led the group through the historic
OAS building. Nelly Robinson, Coordinator
of MOAS, Department of International
Affairs, gave the group a presentation on
the Model OAS. Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations
with the Permanent Observers and Civil
Society presented an overview on the
Organization. To conclude the visit, the
students met with Adriana Ospina, Docent,
OAS Museum of the Americas and observed the
featured works by Brazilian architect Oscar
Niemeyer.
On September 17, 23 military students
enrolled at the Western Hemisphere Institute
for Security Cooperation representing
Colombia, Peru, the Dominican Republic, El
Salvador and Paraguay visited the OAS for a
tour of the historic building and a briefing
from OAS representatives. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, led the group through the Historic
OAS Building before convening with a
briefing by Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA
Relations, Department of International
Affairs, who gave the group an overview of
the OAS, which was followed by a discussion
on Human Rights issues led by Daniela
Salazar, Specialist, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights. The briefing
concluded with remarks made by Ambassador
Alexandre Addor-Neto, Secretary, Secretariat
on Multidimensional Security, on security
concerns for the region.
On September 16, 15
university undergraduates from the Instituto
Tecnólogico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
received a tour of the OAS historic building
from Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs. The tour was followed by
an overview of the OAS by Jane Thery, Head,
OAS-USA Relations, Secretariat for External
Relations. The briefing and tour finalized with
comments from Nelly Robinson, Coordinator of the
Model OAS, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations.
On September 15, 20
military officers from the Escuela Superior de
Guerra de Colombia were received by Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, and taken on a tour of the OAS historic
building. The Director of the Department of
International Affairs, Irene Klinger, briefed
the group on the OAS. Ambassador Alexandre
Addor-Neto, Secretary, Secretariat for
Multidimensional Security, spoke of the security
issues challenging the region. The group was
briefed on human rights issues by Verónica
Gomez, Specialist, Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights. The tour and briefing concluded
with final comments made by H.E. Camilo Ospina,
Colombian Ambassador to the OAS.
On September 11, 2008, on
the seventh anniversary of both the signing of
the Inter-American Democratic Charter and the
attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon,
27 undergraduates studying international
business and trade from American University
attended a tour of the OAS historic building,
led by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs. Sherry Stephenson, Head,
Institutional Relations, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations gave an overview of the Organization.
The tour and briefing concluded with a visit to
the Art Museum of the Americas, where the group
met with Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art Museum of
the Americas.
On September 10, Aline
Hommes, Specialist, OAS-USA Relations,
Department of International Affairs, gave a tour
of the OAS historic building to government and
NGO's visitors from Bolivia, Colombia, Peru,
Uruguay and Venezuela with the Academy for
Educational Development. Jorge Sanin, Head,
Relations with Permanent Observers and Civil
Society, Department of International Affairs,
gave the visitors an overview of the OAS.
Rafael Franzini, Assistant Executive Secretary,
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security,
discussed salient issues in multidimensional
security of importance to the Western
Hemisphere. Luis Alfonso, Specialist,
Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission,
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security, led a
discussion on drug demand reduction.
On August 29th
OAS
briefings were held at the IADC headquarters.
The morning session began with a presentation on
Natural Disasters and Risk Management by Pablo
Gonzalez, Chief, Natural Hazard and Risk
Reduction, Department of Sustainable Development
and the Environment. Mark Lambrides, Chief,
Climate Adaption, Natural Disasters, Sustainable
Energy and Small Island States, Department of
Sustainable Development and the Environment,
spoke about sustainable energy issues. Mercedes
Kremenetzky, Senior Specialist, Executive
Secretariat, Inter-American Commission of Women,
gave a presentation on gender issues and
conflict resolution and Marta Beltran,
Specialist; Inter-American Commission of Women
gave a presentation on Women, Peace and
Security. After the presentations, the members
of 48th Class of the IADC divided into three
groups to discuss the topics in-depth. To
conclude the three day briefing series, Laura
Martinez, Juridical Officer, Department of Legal
Cooperation, spoke about anti-corruption and
transparency efforts undertaken by the OAS in
the Hemisphere.
On August 28th
OAS briefings were held at the IADC headquarters, Fort Lesley McNair.
Ambassador Addor-Neto, Secretary, Secretariat
for Multidimensional Security, in conjunction
with Carol Fuller, Secretary, Inter-American
Commission against Terrorism (CICTE), gave a
presentation on the current security challenges
in the hemisphere with a particular focus on
terrorism and the increasing threat of terrorist
activities. Jim Mack, Executive Secretary,
Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission
(CICAD) spoke about the evolution of drug
trafficking in the hemisphere and the efforts of
CICAD. Dr. Cristian Taboada, Specialist, Department of
Public Security, spoke about the increase in
organized crime and gang violence in the
hemisphere. After the presentations, the members
of the 48th Class of the IADC divided into three
groups for in depth discussions on the topics
presented by each speaker. During the second
half of the day Fernando Garcia-Robles,
Coordinator, Anti-Trafficking of persons,
Department of Public Security, gave an
informative presentation on human trafficking in
the Western Hemisphere. Carlos Calderon,
Consultant, Humanitarian Demining Program,
Department of Public Security, gave a detailed
presentation on the mined zones in the
hemisphere and the efforts of the OAS to clean
mined fields. After the presentations, the
members divided into two groups for a question
and answer session.
From August 27th - August 29th
the 48th Class of
the Inter-American College (IADC) participated
in a three day briefing series with OAS
officials. Before the initial briefing Aline
Hommes, Specialist, OAS-USA Relations,
Department of International Affairs, led the
members of the class on a tour of the OAS
historic building. After the tour, the visitors
were welcomed by Irene Klinger, Director,
Department of International Affairs, who offered
an extensive overview about the mission and
functions of the OAS. Pablo Zuñiga, Director,
Department of State Modernization and Good
Governance, gave a presentation on strengthening
democracy in the Hemisphere. Francisco Pilotti,
Director, Department of Social Development and
Employment, spoke about the work of the OAS in
matters of integral development. Ambassador
Addor-Neto, Secretary, Secretariat for
Multidimensional Security, presented the
challenges of Multidimensional Security in the
Hemisphere, including the integration of the
Inter-American Defense Board into the OAS. Mario
Lopez, Senior Human Rights Specialist,
Inter-American Commission on Human Rights,
addressed the human rights challenges in the
Hemisphere and emphasized the work of the OAS to
protect and promote human rights. Ambassador
Camilo Ospina, Permanent Representative of
Colombia to the OAS, gave closing remarks on the
security challenges threatening the region, with
a focus on the internal conflict of Colombia in
the fight against the guerillas and drug
trafficking.
On August 12, 18 members of the Western
Hemisphere Institute for Cooperation
representing Colombia, Canada, the Dominican
Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and
Panama visited the OAS historic building. Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, welcomed the group and gave a tour of
the building. Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with
Permanent Observers and Civil Society,
Department of International Affairs, gave an
overview of the OAS. Rafael Franzini, Assistant
Executive Secretary, Inter-American Drug Abuse
Control Commission, spoke about
“Multidimensional Security.” Pablo Zuñiga,
Director, Department of State Modernization and
Good Governance, Secretariat for Political
Affairs, gave a presentation about the
strengthening of democracy.
On August 7, 23 members of the “Instituto Nacional de Guerra de Ecuador” visited OAS
Headquarters. Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, welcomed
the group and gave a tour of the Main Building.
Irene Klinger, Director, Department of
International Affairs, presented an overview of
the OAS. Rafael Franzini, Assistant Executive
Secretary, Inter-American Drug Abuse Control
Commission, spoke about “Multidimensional
Security.” Pablo Zuñiga, Director, Department of
State Modernization and Good Governance, gave a
presentation about the strengthening of
democracy. Isabel Madariaga, Specialist,
Coordinator for Central America and the
Caribbean, Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights, gave an overview of the work of the OAS
in the protection of human rights. Ambassador
Efrén A. Cocios and Agustín Ignacio Fornell,
Counselor, Permanent Mission of Ecuador to the
OAS, spoke about the functions of the Ecuadorian
Mission as a Permanent Member of the OAS.
On August 6, 25 undergraduate students in
political science from the University of
Maryland toured the OAS historic building. Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, headed the tour. Sherry Stephenson,
Head, Institutional Relations, Department of
International Affairs, gave an overview of the
OAS. Nelly Robinson, Coordinator MOAS Program,
Department of International Affairs, gave a
presentation on the Model OAS and encouraged the
students to participate in the MOAS.
On July 29, 21 Members of
the Armed Forces of the Dominican Republic
visited the OAS historic building. Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, welcomed the group to the OAS. Jane
Thery, Head, OAS-USA Relations, Department of
International Affairs, briefed the group on the
OAS. Christopher Hernández-Roy, Director,
Department of Public Security, spoke about
Multidimensional Security and the efforts of the
OAS to strengthen security in the Hemisphere.
Karen Bozicovich, Coordinator of the Unit of
Diagnostic and Prospective, Department of
Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions,
spoke about the efforts of the OAS to strengthen
democracy and governance in the region. Daniela
Salazar, Specialist, Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights, gave a presentation on the work
of the OAS to protect the human rights.
On July 24, 20 Brazilian
students visited the OAS historic building. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, led the group in a tour
of the building. Irene Klinger, Director,
Department of International Affairs, presented
an overview of the OAS. Alice Soares,
Consultant, Department of International Affairs,
spoke about the Model OAS (MOAS) and encouraged
the interns to participate in the MOAS. Mrs.
Márcia Maro Da Silva, Counselor,
Permanent Mission of Brazil, spoke about the
role and functions of the Brazilian Mission to
the OAS.
On July 23, The OAS hosted
the “Democracy and Women’s Leadership in the
Americas” conference. 65 Female professionals
from the Washington, D.C. area participated in
the event. Patricia Ellis, President, Women’s
Foreign Policy Group and Irene Klinger,
Director, OAS Department of International
Affairs, welcomed the participants. The keynote
speaker of the event was the OAS Secretary
General, Jose Miguel Insulza. The Secretary
General spoke about the role of the OAS in
protecting human rights, reducing poverty,
strengthening multidimensional security and
promoting democracy and governance in the
Western Hemisphere. Mrs. Klinger gave a detailed
briefing about the OAS. The Ambassadors of
Missions of Peru, Maria Zavala Valladares,
Trinidad and Tobago, Glenda Morean Phillip and
Uruguay, Maria del Lujan Flores spoke about the
role of women in diplomacy and foreign policy.
Carmen Lomellin, Executive Secretary,
Inter-American Commission of Women moderated the
panel discussion. The event concluded with the
closing remarks of Suzanne Laporte, Secretary,
OAS Secretariat for External Relations. After
the conference, Aline Hommes, Specialist, OAS
Department of International Affairs, led the
participants in a tour of the OAS historic
building and the Museum of the Americas.
On July 21, 48 Students
from the Presidential Classroom enjoyed a tour
of the OAS historic Building. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
headed the tour and gave a presentation about
the protection of human rights and the work of
the OAS to preserve the basic rights of the
peoples of the Americas. Yadira Soto, Advisor,
Office of the Assistant Secretary General, gave
an overview of the OAS with emphasis on
Multidimensional Security and Sustainable
Development in the Hemisphere.
On July 21, 10 Students
from the Colegio Villa Maria, Santiago,
Chile visited the OAS historic building. Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, led the students in a tour of the
historic building. Jose Miguel Insulza, OAS
Secretary General, and Irene Klinger, Director,
Department of International Affairs, welcomed
the students.
On July 18, 35 Students
from the Universidad Pontifica Comillas,
Madrid, Spain, participating in a summer program
in Georgetown University, visited the OAS main
building. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, led the tour. Jorge
Sanin, Head, Permanent Observers and Civil
Society, Department of International Affairs,
briefed the group on the OAS and its role in the
Hemisphere. Enrique Martinez, Legal Officer,
Office of Legal Cooperation spoke about
international law and legal affairs in the
Hemisphere. Ambassador Juan Romero de Terreros,
Permanent Observer Mission of Spain to the OAS,
greeted the students and gave an overview of the
role of Spain as a permanent observer.
On July 17, 190 United
States high school students participating in the
Lead America program enjoyed a tour of the OAS
historic building and the Museum of the
Americas.
On July 15, 45 Students
participating in the Maryland Leadership
Institute in the University of Maryland toured
the OAS historic building. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
headed the tour. Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA
Relations, Department of International Affairs,
gave an overview of the OAS. Anexa Alfred, Human
Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights, spoke about the human rights of
indigenous groups in the Americas and the
efforts of the OAS to preserve the rights of
these individuals. Luis Toro, Senior Legal
Officer, Department of International Law,
presented on the legal work undertaken by the
OAS to protect of citizens. Jorge Baxter,
Education Specialist, Department of Education
and Culture, spoke about the barriers for the
development of education and the work of the OAS
to increase accessibility to quality education
in the Hemisphere.
On July 14, 16 Interns of
the Washington Center for Internships received a
tour of the OAS historic building. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
headed the tour. Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA
Relations, Department of International Affairs,
offered a detailed overview of the OAS. Mauricio
Concha, Consultant, Department of International
Affairs, spoke about the Model Organization of
American States and encouraged the interns to
participate. To conclude their visit, Adriana
Ospina, Docent, Art Museum of the Americas,
welcomed the interns to the Museum.
On July 10, Jane Thery,
Head, OAS-USA Relations, Department of
International Affairs, gave a detailed briefing
of the OAS to 38 members of the Foreign Service
Institute.
On
July 7, 60 members of
the Colegio de Altos Estudios Estratégicos de
la Republica de El Salvador participated in
a tour of the OAS main building. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs
headed the tour. Jorge Sanin, Head, Permanent
Observers and Civil Society, Department of
International Affairs, briefed the group on the
OAS and its role in the Hemisphere. Raul
Alconada, Principal Advisor, Secretariat for
Political Affairs, spoke about the strengthening
of Democracy in the region. Marisol Blanchard,
Specialist, Executive Secretariat of the Inter
American Commission on Human Rights, presented
on human rights abuses and the OAS efforts to
protect human rights in the Americas.
Ambassador, Addor-Neto, Secretary, Secretariat
for Multidimensional Security, spoke about the
latest security challenges that are emerging in
the region and the new "Multidimensional"
approach to strengthen Hemispheric Security. To
conclude, Luis Menéndez, Alternate
Representative, Permanent Mission of El Salvador
to the OAS, offered a brief summary of the
functions of the Salvadorian Mission to the OAS.
On July 1, 28 Members of
the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)
participated in a tour of the historic OAS main
building. Aline Hommes, Specialist, OAS-USA
Relations, Department of International Affairs,
guided the PAHO members through the OAS main
building. Irene Klinger, Director, Department of
International Affairs, gave a comprehensive
overview of the OAS. Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art
Museum of the Americas, welcomed the students to
the Museum of the Americas.