Achievements of the Summits of the Progress since Achievements of the Summits of the America Progress since Mar del Plata

ISBN 0-8270-5094-1

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES 17th & Constitution Avenue N.W. Washington, DC 20006 U.S.A. Internet: www.oas.org Email: [email protected]

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Secretary General José Miguel Insulza

Assistant Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin

Summits of the Americas Secretariat Director Carmen Marina Gutierrez

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Graphic Design of the Cover and Interior Pages Claudia Saidon. Graphic Ideas Inc. [email protected] Achievements of the Summits of the Americas

Progress since Mar del Plata

Report of the Joint Summit Working Group

Table of Contents

Introduction 9

Acronyms 11

Declaration of Mar del Plata 13

Growth with Employment 15

Jobs to Fight Poverty 35

Training the Labor Force 59

Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises as an Engine of Job Growth 67

Framework for Creating Decent Work 75

Strengthening Democratic Governance 83

Plan of Action of Mar del Plata 93

Creating Decent Work 95

Growth with Employment 107

Social Development 125

Strengthen Democratic Governance 147

Introduction

On behalf of the member institutions of the Joint Summit Working Group (JSWG) and in its capacity as the Chair of the Group, the Summits of the Americas Secretariat is pleased to present this compilation of individual institutional reports on the implementation of the commitments assumed at the Fourth Summit of the Americas, held in Mar del Plata in November 2005. The Summits Secretariat would like to extend its appreciation to the Organization of American States (OAS), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Bank Group, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the International Labour Organization (ILO), and the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) for their contributions and collaboration.

The reports compiled here, which highlight the projects, activities, as well as national and regional initiatives that JSWG members have implemented since Mar del Plata, clearly demonstrate and reaffirm these institutions’ commitment to serve the citizens of the hemisphere. This Secretariat has dedicated itself to deepening the JSWG’s role as a resource in the Summit process, particularly in providing support to the preparations for the Fifth Summit of the Americas in Trinidad & Tobago in 2009.

Lastly, I wish to underscore that while the JSWG is comprised of institutions with individual missions and expertise, its members also comprise and represent a group. Indeed, the Summits process offers these members excellent opportunities to work in partnership to advance the development of the region, and many of these joint efforts are noted in this report. The Summits of the Americas Secretariat hopes that the information presented here will serve to further foster such collaborations within the Summits of the Americas process.

Carmen Marina Gutierrez Director Summits of the Americas Secretariat General Secretariat of the Organization of American States

Acronyms

Member Institutions of the Joint Summit Working Group (JSWG)

OAS Organization of American States

IDB Inter-American Development Bank

ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean

PAHO Pan American Health Organization

World Bank World Bank Group

IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

CAF Andean Development Corporation

CABEI Central American Bank for Economic Integration

CDB Caribbean Development Bank

IOM International Organization for Migration

ILO International Labour Organization

ICA Institute for Connectivity in the Americas

Declaration of Mar del Plata

Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance 14 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Growth with Employment

In search of sustained, long-term, and equitable economic growth that creates jobs, reduces poverty, eliminates hunger, and raises the standard of living, including for the most vulnerable sectors and social groups, and in the framework of national strategies, we are committed to continuing the implementation of sound macroeconomic policies geared toward maintaining high growth rates, full employment, prudent fiscal and monetary policies, appropriate exchange rate policies, sound public debt management policies, and working to diversify economic activity and improve competitiveness. At the same time, we will stimulate income growth and better income distribution, increasing productivity, and protecting workers’ rights and the environment. We recognize that the appropriate role of government in market oriented economies will vary from country to country. (Paragraph 4)

The work of The Organization of Caribbean,” and a series of work- American States (OAS) in the area shops for the private sector, of competitiveness aims at particularly small and medium- providing support to member sized enterprises: to address the States’ efforts to enhance their Caribbean and competitiveness and prepare them Economy in services, competitive- to better take advantage of the ness in the context of the benefits of trade and integration. Agreement with the One of the main objectives is to in , exporting agricultural promote the exchange of best goods in the , practices, experiences and private sector development, and innovative approaches, as well as quality and productivity for the assist member States in the Salvadorian private sector. analysis and adaptation of those practices to their national develop- In connection with the economic ment needs, with a special atten- agenda of the region, as always, tion to the micro, small and medium much of the work of the Economic enterprises. The activities recently Commission for Latin America and implemented by the Department of the Caribbean (ECLAC) has Trade, Tourism and Competitive- consisted of monitoring economic ness include “The Critical Path- developments in order to perform ways Program for the Small and its role as one of the leading sources Medium Enterprises Sector of the of comparable information for the

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 15 16 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment competitiveness plans;(b) enhan- terna (regionandsector-specific implementation oftheAgenda In- tiveness policiesbyfacilitating the areas: (a)strengtheningcompeti- supports policyreformsinthree ment PolicyLoanforColombia”, Product andEfficiencyDevelop- The Bank’s “SecondBusiness ness. donors inthefieldofcompetitive- private sector, civilsocietyand agencies, municipalities,the ordinate theeffortsofgovernment technical leadershipandco- Competitiveness (CPC)toprovide Presidential Commissionof to strengthenthecapacityof Project forNicaragua”,whichaims International MarketIntegration “Enhanced Competitivenessfor The the collectionofdirecttaxes. and equity, especiallyasregards well asthelinkbetweentaxation resource-producing countries,as policy andcommoditypricesin the relationshipbetweenfiscal economies, focusingparticularlyon ce thevulnerabilityofregion’s conditions nowprevailingtoredu- been howtousethepropitious mission, aprominentconcernhas assistance providedbytheCom- policy analysisandtechnical Among thesubjectsofeconomic Caribbean (April2006). ment inLatinAmericaandthe cember 2006)andForeignInvest- America andtheCaribbean(De- view oftheEconomiesLatin (August 2006),PreliminaryOver- Latin AmericaandtheCaribbean has publishedEconomicSurveyof region. Inthisconnection,ECLAC World Bank funded the lar byraisingproductquality. In international markets,in particu- to consolidateitsposition in chain toenablePeruvian paprika project tostrengthenthe paprika In , PAC gave approval fora fishery productsforexport. improvement andvalue-addingof as wellthedevelopment, and decorativeobjectsforexport, strengthening supplyoffurniture PAC contributedtoprojectsfor and cosmeticschain.InEcuador, advantages inthepersonalhygiene designed todevelopcompetitive products; thethirdprojectwas for exportersofperishable centers onlogisticsdevelopment siness Logistics(MERLIN),which Methods forReinventingyourBu- the second,wasproject, program forautopartssuppliers; of carryingoutadevelopment three initiatives:thefirstconsisted promoted theimplementationof ter development, inColombia,PAC lessons learned.Intheareaofclus- emination ofexperienceand capacity building,aswelldiss- development andentrepreneurial continued tofocusoncluster Development Corporation(CAF) Program (PAC) ofthe 2006, theCompetitivenessSupport To stimulateeconomicgrowth, in ment. institutions andbusinessenviron- functioning ofPeru'spublicsector (GoP's) reformplantoimprovethe supports theGovernmentofPeru's Development PolicyLoanforPeru” Management andCompetitiveness deeper. Inaddition,the“Fiscal the financialsectorsounderand nological innovation;(c)making cing qualitystandardsandtech- Andean Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Venezuela, approval was given for tiva. Other events where PAC was a project to boost the development present were the First National of providers and distributors in Forum for Competitiveness several productive chains with (Panama, May 24, 2006); the export potential. Furthermore, in International Forum on Public , Peru, and , PAC Policy in Support of SME (Montevi- promoted the development of deo, October 23 and 24, 2006); the national tourism strategies desig- Ibero-American Seminar on SME ned to improve quality of service, Globalization and Competitiveness promote different destina-tions, (, October 26, 2006); and the and raise competitiveness in the Central American Entities and sector. In , PAC provided Institutions Fact-Finding Mission advisory services for a review of to Andalusia (Seville, October 2 to the national urban system for the 5, 2006). purpose of raising competitiveness. The purpose of the Research As regards entrepreneurial capa- Support Program is to establish city building, PAC devoted parti- support ties with researchers in the cular attention to the de-velopment region, both to assist them in of a national entre-preneurship implementing their projects and to support system through univer-si- form an international network of ties in Bolivia. At the same time, it experts. Thanks to contributions continued with the Entre- provided by the corporation in preneurial Ideas Competition and these areas, keep partnerships have the formation of business been successfully set up with other incubators in that country. In Ve- think tanks in the region, such as nezuela, in partnership with uni- ECLAC, Corporación de Estudios versities and private business, PAC para Latinoamérica (CIEPLAN), actively contributed to the design and the Fernando Henrique and development of the Enterprise Cardoso Institute, among others. In Creation Support Sy-stem in Vene- 2006, the program centered on the zuela, an initiative that has proved issues of diversification and critical in promoting entre- productivity; the role of clusters preneurial capacity building in that and foreign direct investment in country. the creation of new exports; and the impact of different policies on bu- As part of its dissemination efforts, siness productivity. It also PAC organized the event, CAF Em- undertook studies, inter alia, on prende in Medellin, , experiences in export diversi- where discussions centered on fication in various Latin American aspects connected with enterprise countries. building and development of risk capital funds in the region. The PAC In 2006, the activities carried out disseminated information about its by the Corporate Governance activities at the seminar Exporting Program continued to focus on the to win MERCOSUR [Exportar para development of conceptual contri- Ganar de Cara al MERCOSUR] butions and rules, as well as promoted by Venezuela Competi- dissemination, implementation,

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 17 18 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment of povertyandsocialinequalityinourcountries.(Paragraph5) and services,constituteafundamentalcomponentforeconomicgrowth,jobcreation,reduction We recognize,inparticular, thatmicro,small,andmedium-sizedenterprises,providersofgoods We emphasizetheimportance oftheparticipationbusinesssectorinachievingourobjectives. on thetopicincitiesofCaracas, including internationalseminars several awarenessraisingevents, CAF wasdirectlyinvolvedin rry outlocal-levelprojects.Thus, tor institutionsintheregiontoca- support forpublicandprivate-sec- parties. Italsocontinuedtoprovide software applicationtointerested governance practicesevaluation and madeavailableacorporate lines forNon-ListedCompanies, the CorporateGovernanceGuide- In thisconnection,CAFpublished nance goodpracticesintheregion. application ofcorporategover- and measurementofprogressinthe Hemisphere. TheThirdOAS Pri- gral developmentagenda ofthe te initiativeslinkedwiththe inte- private dialogueaswell concre- purpose ofpromoting public- Summits oftheAmericas,with General Assembliesandthe Forum thatmeetsbeforetheOAS organizing theOASPrivateSector relationship withthissectorby the OASworkstofurther source ofgrowthandemployment, that theprivatesectorplaysasa Sector Forum.Recognizingtherole in thecontextofOASPrivate Assembly andMinisterialmeetings Summit oftheAmericas,General engaged theprivatesectorin partnerships, the promotion ofpublic-private Regarding thesupportto OAS has actively the region. owned andprivatecompaniesin Code (LCAGC)in10newstate- Andean CorporateGovernance mentation oftheGuidelinesforan of supportwasinitiatedforimple- region. Inaddition,asecondstage application incompaniesthe inating informationabouttheir withthepurposeofdissem- , ,LaPaz,,and for consultantsinthecitiesof governance guidelineswereheld and evaluationofcorporate ing workshopsonimplementation more, anumberoffour-daytrain- ,andCartagena.Further- on June4th,2006. before theOASGeneral Assembly, Private SectorRepresentatives the OASSecretaryGeneral and between theHeadsofDelegation, phere inthecontextofDialogue to theGovernmentsofHemis- of theForumwerecommunicated conclusions andrecommendations OAS General Assembly. The 3, 2006,inthecontextofXXXVI the DominicanRepubliconJune2- from theWestern Hemispherein Republic andbusinessleaders Americas, CONEP-Dominican Republic, PrivateSectorofthe Government oftheDominican organized inconjunctionwiththe in theKnowledgeSociety”was Competitiveness andJobCreation Public-Private Partnershipfor vate SectorForum“Inter-American Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

The Conference “Competitiveness analyze and identify social de- Agenda for the Americas: Contri- velopment and employment gene- butions of the Private Sector to the ration strategies based on micro Development of the Hemisphere” and small enterprise promotion. In was organized in conjunction with this framework and to examine the Private Sector of the Americas and implications of the specific man- the Caribbean-Central American dates of the Fourth Summit of the Action, on December 4th, 2006, Americas in this area, a working within the framework of the 30th meeting was held with the SME C-CAA Annual Conference in Congress of the Americas Directive , Florida. As an input to the Committee. In addition, the docu- discussion, the OAS commissioned ment, Microenterprise, Poverty, the reports “Successful Practices in and Employment in Latin America Public-Private Partnerships on and the Caribbean: a Working Education and Skills Training in the Proposal was prepared and presen- Americas” and “Best Practices of ted at a technical meeting that Public-Private Partnerships on brought together ministries of la- Education and Skills Training in the bor and of finance, as well as Caribbean.” members of the Social Network, in order to examine specific inputs In order to promote the partici- and comments and identify pation of the business sector, in opportunities for joint action. This 2005 and 2006, the OAS implemen- activity gave rise to specific ted the project, Development of thematic guidelines for future Micro and Small Enterprises as a work, such as targeting micro- Strategy to Generate Employment enterprise from a poverty alle- and Confront Poverty in the Ame- viation and employment genera- ricas with sponsorship provided tion perspective, which is where by the Spanish International the OAS will center its efforts in Cooperation Agency (AECI). The this area. main purpose of the project was to

We reaffirm our commitment to the Consensus that each country has primary responsibility for its own economic and social development through sound policies, promotion of good governance at all levels and respect for the rule of law and that, at the same time, the international community should support national development efforts. In this context, we reiterate that trade and investment opportunities are necessary for countries in fighting poverty and in their development efforts. Also, in this context, we commit to coordinate international efforts in support of sustainable development policies, to identify secure sources of financing, and to mobilize resources for development and the fight against poverty and hunger. (Paragraph 6)

As economic and market inte- mic development. These efforts gration continues, the OAS has include identifying opportunities been working to better align envi- derived from trade and investment ronmental protection with econo- that could benefit the sustainable

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 19 20 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment courses, workshopsandseminars gional andnationaltraining To thisend,theOASorganizedre- investment opportunities. advantage ofexpandedmarketand trade agreementsandtotake ricas, toimplementandadminister processes takingplaceintheAme- the economicintegrationandtrade of memberStatestoparticipatein human andinstitutionalcapacity focused onstrengtheningthe tion. Inthiscontext,workhas job creation,andpovertyreduc- enhanced economicdevelopment, investment opportunities,to through expandedmarketand and marketaccessthatcanlead, integration, tradeliberalization, economic diversificationand member Statestopromote The OASsupportstheeffortsof US$2.83 million portfolio of10projects,totaling Economics whichin2006hada ronmental Law, Policies and projects intheDSDareaofEnvi- ting thismandateisderivedfrom OAS-DSD fundingtowardsmee- the SoySectorinMERCOSUR”. and the“Sustainabilityimpactsof ment intheAmericasInitiative” Americas”, the“Trade andEnviron- Liberalization Projectinthe and CapacityBuildingforTrade the “EnvironmentalAssessments follow uptothismandateinclude center. Someoftheinitiatives in sustainable developmentatthe policy recommendationsthathave to promoteandadoptintegrated trade andincreasedmarketaccess, and standardsassociatedwith health andenvironmentalissues supporting countriesanticipate development agendaandalso cooperation mechanism ofthe against poverty andhunger. As a for developmentandthe fight tify andsecuresourcesoffinancing international efforts,and to iden- OAS hasworkedtocoordinate In keepingwiththismandate,the vestment disputes. phytosanitary measuresandin- ment regimes,sanitaryand administration ofdisputesettle- Rica, andtheUnitedStatesin like ,,Chile,Costa practices developedbycountries benefit fromtheexpertiseandbest Caribbean countriescontinuedto participating LatinAmericanand this andothersimilarprograms, taría deEconomíaofMexico.Under 2004 withthesupportofSecre- Trade Agreements” initiatedin Practices intheAdministrationof such asthe“ProgramonBest rizontal cooperationinitiatives programming andexecutionofho- provided supportinthedesign, trade agreements,theOAS States intheadministrationof valuable experienceofmember property. Taking advantage ofthe services exportsandintellectual investor-state disputesettlement, seminars oninvestmentand cial Services;”aswellaseriesof Community: Telecom andFinan- Trade Liberalizationinthe Andean “Regulatory ReformandServices the West Indies(UWI);theProject conjunction withtheUniversityof private sectorrepresentativesin government tradeofficialsand Trade Policy” forCaribbean week “CertificateinInternational Trade Policy (MITP)”andafour- “Masters PrograminInternational da including:thecontinuationof on themainissuesoftradeagen- Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Inter-American Conference of In Colombia, the launch of the Ministers of Labor (IACML), the Drinking Water and Sanitation Inter-American Labor Administra- Program of the Department of Ce- tion Network (RIAL) is an example sar (US$ 42.5 million) marked the of the foregoing measures, as is the start of a CAF sectoral strategy financing obtained from the designed to promote the region- Canadian International Develop- level management and operation of ment Agency (CIDA) in support of drinking water and sanitation the efforts of the “Social Network services under local coordination for Latin America and the Carib- and leadership. This approach bean” in the area of knowledge enables municipal and regional transfer on how to improve and authorities to support loans by ensure greater access to social securing them with future profits protection mechanisms in the and income, facilitating the countries of the region. (See also planning and implementation of Paragraph 72). projects according to principles of equity, efficiency, and sustain- Administration of social funds has ability. The success of the way in been a mechanism in which CAF which the Regional Program in Ce- has demonstrated competitive sar Department was organized and advantages. Through its adminis- implemented has earned it the tration and management of the support of the Colombian State and Debt Swap Fund for Social Invest- led national and departmental ment set up between the Kingdom sectoral entities to seek financial of Spain and the Republic of Ecua- support from CAF for an invest- dor (US$ 50 million), CAF promotes ment plan in excess of US$100 social investment projects in million that would benefit 24 education and the Clean Develop- municipalities. ment Mechanism (MDL) with funds from the bilateral debt that the The same territorial approach was Spanish government has condoned promoted outside the Andean in favor of . In the case of region. In this framework, CAF the MERCOSUR Educational Fund approved the Municipal Assistance (FEM) (US$ 650 mil), CAF is tech- Program on behalf of the State of nically and financially managing , worth US$200 million, the the first fund created with funds purpose of which is to promote provided by the regional bloc to development in less-developed advance social integration through areas while ensuring good gover- education. nance and sound finances.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 21 22 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment million peoplestillliveinextremepoverty. (Paragraph 7) that, despitetheeffortsmadebycountriesofLatinAmericaandCaribbean,morethan96 that ofreducing,by50%,theproportionpersonslivinginextremepoverty2015givenfact to intensifyingoureffortstowardattainingthegoalsagreedatMillenniumSummit,especially Hemisphere andthatextremepovertyaffectsmillionsofpeople.Inregard,wearecommitted We areconcernedalsotonotethatpovertyisaphenomenonfoundinallthecountriesof encouraging, itmust not be progress inLatinAmerica is also notesthat,althoughthe overall million), respectively. Thereport million people)and14.7%(79 38.5% ofthepopulation(some205 expected todecreaseagain,reach poor andextremelyis poverty for2006.Thenumberof projections ofthemagnitude The SocialPanoramaalsogives was indigent. population waspoorand19.4% relation to2002,when44%ofthe over fourpercentagepointsin indigent. Thisrepresentsadropof million, wereextremelypooror people, werepoorand15.4%,or81 region’s population,or209million estimates, in2005,39.8%ofthe year running.Accordingtothese fresh reductionin2005,forthethird indigence estimates,whichshowa reflected inthelatestpovertyand This positivetrendintheregionis numbers ofjobs. countries andanupswingin income distributioninseveral falling unemployment,improving progress withpovertyreduction, the bestfor25yearsintermsof (2003-2006). Thisperiodhasbeen rendered inthelastfouryears social performancetheregionhas lighted thenotableeconomicand ma ofLatinAmerica,whichhigh- launched thereportSocialPanora- In November2006, ECLAC aim ofthemeetingwasto discuss le, 9and10November2006). The Goals: Anewlook,”(, Chi- the MillenniumDevelopment tled “NationalStatisticsOfficesand nized theRegionalSeminarenti- statistical systems,ECLACorga- of viewtheregion’s national Development Goalsfromthepoint monitoring theMillennium discuss theimplicationsof In ordertoanalysetheseissuesand agencies. countries andbyinternational relevant statisticsproducedbythe comparative assessmentsof the Goalsandtoconduct Caribbean countriesinrelationto of theLatinAmericanand evaluating theparticularsituation set ofgoalsandindicatorsfor ECLAC hasdevelopedaproposed Millennium DevelopmentGoals”, the Caribbeancountriestofulfil the capacityofLatinAmericaand the projectentitled“Strengthening treme poverty, intheframework of proportion ofpeoplelivinginex- Summit, thatis,tohalvethe the outcomeofMillennium Development Goalsderivingfrom the firstofMillennium intensify effortstowardsattaining As regardsthecommitmentto ahead. region stillhasanimmensetask remain veryhighandthatthe forgotten thatpovertyfigures Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

the role of national statistical offices under the PRSP, evaluate the in follow-up to the Millennium impact of poverty reduction pro- Development Goals and the actions grams, and improve the statis-tical necessary to meet monitoring information for poverty analysis challenges. The seminar evaluated and targeting. Finally, the opera- the information available to track tion will support actions to streng- advances on the Goals in the then environmental manage-ment countries of the region and and regulations to ensure the proposed supplementary indi- sustainable use of 's natu- cators in the areas of education, ral resources. gender and the environment. The discussions centred on specific The Caribbean Development Bank measures to enhance the availa- (CDB) focuses its activities on the bility of national data and incor- reduction of poverty in the region. porate these into the reports and It recently hosted a demography databases of international agen- workshop to support the work of cies, and to improve coordination achieving the Millennium Deve- between national statistical lopment Goals (MDGs). In addition, systems and international agen- work in the area of poverty cies. reduction is mainstreamed using a “Poverty Prism” and opera- The development objective of the tionalized through three pillars: “Bahia Poor Urban Areas Develop- reducing vulnerability, enhancing ment Project in Brazil” funded by labor capability, and governance. the World Bank is to reduce urban Since the 1990s, the CDB has been poverty in a sustainable manner, instrumental in conducting “Coun- targeting the poorest and most vul- try Poverty Assessments (CPAs)” nerable sections of Salvador, and of for all of its Borrowing Member strategic cities of the state of Bahia, Countries, and assisting them with including access to basic services, their “National Poverty Stra- improved housing, and social tegies”. Also, the CDB published the support services, and aligned with book “A New Perspective on the Millennium Development Goals Poverty in the Caribbean” to share (MDGs). experiences from the region. In cooperation with the Inter-Ame- The World Bank funds the “Poverty rican Develop-ment Bank (IDB), a Reduction and Public Management project on capacity building in Operation (PRPMO) for Guyana”, survey design and implementation, which supports the implemen- dissemination of survey data and tation of critical reforms in public building capacity for poverty sector Management. In particular, measurement and ana-lysis was the operation will contribute to developed. The “Basic Needs Trust improving the transparency, Fund (BNTF)” is the CDB’s flagship accountability, and efficiency with direct poverty reduction program which public resources are utilized. which disburses grants in: edu- In addition, the PRPMO will help cation and day care facilities (44%), improve the Government's institu- water supply systems (26%), roads, tional capacity to monitor progress drains & footpaths (12%), facilities

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 23 24 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment benefiting 260families.Itis continued intwocommunities, two landregistryprojectshasbeen families. Theimplementationof rural communities,benefiting80 agrarian conflictsbetweenpoor have beenpurchasedtosolve land provisioncomponent4farms have beenconcluded.Underthe been implemented,ofwhich13 date, morethan53projectshave poverty andextremepoverty. To benefiting populationslivingin the ruralareaofGuatemala, la promotessocialinvestmentin Development ProjectsinGuatema- Migration (IOM) The InternationalOrganizationfor community markets(3%). (12%), skillstraining(3%), for healthandvulnerablegroups creating fiscalspaceforgreater so- business andinvestment climate, actions aimedatimproving the “Vamos ”.Itfocuseson government's development plan and threemainpillarsofthe (DPLs) tosupportthefundamentals four DevelopmentPolicyLoans programmatic seriesofthreeto temala.” Thisloanispartofa matic DevelopmentLoanforGua- World Bank In relationtothisresolution,the and socialdevelopment.(Paragraph8) growth withequityandsocialinclusion,togenerateexpandedopportunities,investment, of highincomeconcentration,poverty, andindigence.Thechallengeistosustainhigherratesof growth thatdidnottranslateintoequivalentemploymentgains,compoundingexistingproblems However, intherecentpastsomecountriesofHemispherehave experiencedperiodsofeconomic only countriesthathave hadyearsofsustainedeconomicgrowthhave successfullyreducedpoverty. the highratesofunemployment,poverty, andgrowthoftheinformaleconomy. We recognizethat We recognizethateconomicgrowthisabasic,indispensable,butnotsufficient,conditiontoaddress funded the“Program- ’s Community kilometers. which willhaveatotallengthof54 truction oftwonewroadsections is currentlyworkingonthecons- kilometres ofroad.Moreover, IOM road sectionincludingpavingof28 to theconstructionofanexisting early 2006,theprojectcontributed Guatemala-Mexico. Startedin ment projectsintheborderzones at financingsustainabledevelop- Populations –PRODESFRO”aims Development ProgramofBorder In addition,the“Sustainable hasbeenstarted. mala Sur” of theInstitutoTecnológico Guate- Construction oftheSecondPhase execution ofthe“Projectfor important tohighlightthatthe levels of rural poverty. State ofMinasGeraistoreduce high Reduction Project”istoassist the objective ofthe“RuralPoverty efficiency inpublicspending. The financing, transparency and to creditbySME),socialsector public privatepartnerships,access agenda (trade,investmentclimate, maintain thefocusongrowth DPL operationsareexpectedto fiduciary environment.Future milestones inimprovingthe cial investmentandachievingkey Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

The World Bank’s “Ceara Rural Integration (CABEI) is poverty Poverty Reduction Project for reduction. To that end, the strategy Brazil” will: (1) improve well-being proposes: 1) to generate oppor- and incomes of the rural poor tunities that lead to the creation of through greater access to basic so- formal employment; 2) support cial and economic infrastructure countries in the development of and services and support for sustainable solutions for meeting productive activities, using proven basic needs in the areas of health, community-driven development education, and housing; 3) facilitate techniques; (2) increase the social access to credit, promoting the capital or rural communities and leadership of the bank in the micro capacity to organize collectively to finance sector; 4) help to strengthen meet their own needs; (3) enhance public administration, in particu- local governance by greater citizen lar by local government in pro- participation and transparency in grams that enhance their economic decision-making, through stren- autonomy and management capa- gthening of community associa- city; and, 5) stimulate experience tions and municipal councils; and and knowledge transfer between (4) foster closer integration of member countries of the Bank and development policies, programs the world. and projects in rural areas at the local level, by assisting the project's In 2006, CABEI approved US$249.3 partici-patory municipal councils million for programs and projects to extend their role in seeking on poverty alleviation. Attention funding from, setting priorities for should also be drawn to other and making decisions concerning poverty alleviation measures, such the allocation of resources from as the design of a low-cost housing other programs beyond the Ban- facility, agribusiness promotion, supported project. the design of a disaster bond scheme, funneling of the funds to CAF continued to contribute to de- municipalities in border areas in the bate on social development in the framework of the Border Zone region. In particular, discussion Development Program, and pro- workshops were held on the topic motion of micro, small, and of the Situation of the Rural and medium-sized enterprise. Agricultural Sector in Andean Countries, in order to discuss and CABEI continue to contribute in establish a plan of action in the sec- 2007 to two of the Millennium tor for the short and medium terms. Development Goals: Eradicate Ex- Assistance was provided to treme Poverty and Hunger and programs and projects implemen- Ensure Environmental Sustain- ted by the International Fund for ability. Specifically, the Bank Agricultural Development in proposes to increasing the number support of rural populations in the of beneficiaries of the microfinance countries of the region. program from 148,000 to 250,000, and to improve access for low- One of the priorities of the 2004- income populations to sustainable 2009 Global Strategy of the Central financing mechanisms for home American Bank for Economic buyers and home improvement.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 25 26 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment involvement incomprehensiveapproachestocatastrophicriskinsurance.(Paragraph11) impact ofdisasters.We alsosupporteffortsunderway toexploreprivate andpublicsector and financialassistanceasappropriate,particularlyfordisaster-pronecountries,toreducethe warning systems,riskmitigationandpost-disasterrecovery, and reconstructionandtechnical programs, includingthroughincreasedcapacityfordisasterpreparedness,developmentofearly action atthenational,regional,andinternationallevelstostrengthendisastermanagement devastating impactonhumanlives, infrastructure,andeconomiesintheHemisphere.We callfor We notewithconcerntheincreasedintensityofnaturalandmanmadedisasterstheir and NationalAgenciesresponsible Banks andFinancingInstitutions, national Organizations, Donors, mental Organizations, Inter- System, RegionalInter-govern- ganizations oftheInter-American collaboration amongtheor- coordinate effortsandpromote provide foramechanismto effectively tonaturaldisasters;(c) the OASinordertorespondmore disaster managementactivitiesof strengthen theplanningand tural HazardRiskManagement;(b) knowledge, andexperienceonNa- and exchangeofinformation, member Stateswiththesharing The INDMseeksto:(a)assistOAS natural hazardriskmanagement. ledge andexperienceintheareaof exchange ofinformation,know- a mechanismforthesharingand for DisasterMitigation(INDM)”as 2006 an“Inter-AmericanNetwork ment Agency(CIDA)establishedin of CanadianInternationalDevelop- To thisend,theOASwithsupport Risk Management. Natural DisasterReductionand tegral Development(CEPCIDI)on the Inter-AmericanCouncilforIn- Permanent ExecutiveCommitteeof Hemispheric Securityandthe oftheCommitteeon (JCO) to theJointConsultativeOrgan the In compliancewiththismandate, OAS provides technicaladvice prepare com-munitiesand reduce with appropriatetraining tools to regional levelsbyproviding them working atthelocal,national, and of RedCrossNationalSocieties activities tostrengthenthecapacity will implementasecondphaseof ProVention Consortium,theOAS (IFRC) andRedCrescentthe national FederationofRedCross In ajointeffortwiththeInter- emergency situations. the preventionandresponseto support humanitarianassistance, America andtheCaribbeanto and regionallevelsinLatin teers’ participationatthenational mechanisms forspecializedvolun- solidate executionandfinancing Initiative” toexpandandcon- coordinates the“WhiteHelmets Government ofArgentina,theOAS Development Bank(IDB) With supportofthe Disaster Response(IASP). Reduction, RiskManagementand Plan forPolicy onVulnerability of theInter-AmericanStrategic monitoring andperiodicrevision (e) coordinatetheimplementation, Disaster Reduction(IACNDR);and American CommitteeforNatural of thedecisionsInter- the follow-upandimplementation disasters management;(d)support for thecoordinationofnatural Inter-American andthe Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

their vulnerability to the impact of improving the legislative and disasters. Between June 2004 and administrative framework trig- December 2005, the OAS and IFRC gered in a state of emergency. Glo- through its Panama Regional bal best practice will be considered Delegation, supported by the and a set of recommendations will ProVention Consortium, imple- be identified for the implemen- mented the community based tation of clear transparent pro- “Vulnerability and Capacity cedures that enable countries to Assessment (VCA) Methodology” appropriate and use resources in four Central American countries: efficiently in state of emergency , , Guatemala and circumstances. This initiative is , developing new expected to benefit participation of community based disaster man- the Caribbean Region in the agement tools. “World Bank Caribbean Catas- trophe Risk Insurance Facility” and The OAS is collaborating with the will result in an improvement in International Federation of the Red mitigation actions, management Cross and the Red Crescent and response to state of emergency Societies (IFRC) in the execution of situations. The OAS Funding the “International Disaster towards meeting this mandate is Response, Laws, Rules and derived from projects in the area of Principles Program (IDRL)” in the the Department of Sustainable Americas. This program aims to Development of Management of enhance disaster recovery and Natural Hazards Risk, which in reconstruction capabilities in 2006 had a portfolio of 9 projects, collaboration with relevant inter- totaling US$3.50 million. national and regional institutions through identifying and addres- The IDB is currently working to sing legal and institutional cha- improve the capacity for risk llenges faced by countries of the mitigation, early-warning, and region in the area of natural disaster recovery and recons- disasters management, including truction in its member countries. mitigation and assistance. In 2006 the Bank continued to implement its “Action Plan for Finally, in response to the aspects Improving Disaster Risk Manage- of this mandate related to exploring ment (DRM)”. Contributions in private and public sector in- DRM were included in the country volvement in comprehensive strategy and programming dialo- approaches to catastrophic risk gue for 10 countries and portfolio insurance, the OAS has been reviews for two countries. Disaster collaborating with the World Bank risk indicators were completed for in their efforts to establish the two countries and more detailed “Caribbean Catastrophe Risk country disaster risk evaluations Insurance Facility”. In particular were initiated for four countries. the OAS developed a proposal Two loan projects and 13 technical jointly with the World Bank to cooperation operations were assess current legal frameworks in approved during the year. The the Caribbean with a goal of implementation of the “DRM

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 27 28 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment Finance Working Groupisexpected of itsapproval.TheDisaster the newpolicywithinsix months prepared fortheimplementation of ponding guidelineswill be Board oftheBank.Thecorres- the subsequentapprovalby Directors inFebruary2007andfor Policy CommitteeoftheBoard scheduled tobepresentedthe The draftDRMpolicyis published byondisasterfinance. 2006. Two working paperswere context ofDRMinBarbados,June Bank onbudgetplanninginthe with theCaribbeanDevelopment Meeting inBrazil,March2006and organized 2006;attheIDB’s Annual disaster financeeventswere reinsurance companies.Two were heldwithcapitalmarketand markets intheregion.Meetings development ofrisktransfer as welltheBank’s roleinthe review otherfinancialinstruments working groupwasestablishedto Disaster PreventionFund”.A Fund (DPF)”,andthe“Multi-donor financing, the“DisasterPrevention instruments fornon-reimbursable the establishmentoftwonew August 2006.TheBoardapproved approved thedraftDRMpolicyin tation process,BankManagement Following anextensiveconsul- and theMulti-donorFund. reimbursable financingoftheDPF expected tobefinancedwithnon- ce. Atleast10newprojectsare countries areexpectedtotakepla- exercises andportfolioreviewsfor tegy andprogrammingdialogue tions toadditionalcountrystra- special budgetinitiative.Contribu- supported byresourcesfroma Action Plan”willcontinuein2007 free ofnaturaldisasters inthe Fortunately, 2006was relatively to becompletedin2007. staff trainingeventsareexpected be fullyfunctional.Atleastthree Communication Strategyshould part oftheimplementation a DRMwebsitetobepreparedas A newInternetplatform,including group. tation willbeproducedbytheDRM streaming climatechangeadap- white paperdocumentonmain- Global EnvironmentFunds.A 2007 toreceivefinancingfromthe 2006. Projectswillbepreparedin the SECCIconferenceinNovember ment. Thetopicwaspresentedat related todisasterriskmanage- change adaptationthatisclosely Change Initiative(SECCI)isclimate Sustainable EnergyandClimate One ofthefourpillarsBank’s planning. disaster riskindicatorsforlanduse critical infrastructureandlocal sustainable cities,protectionof in 2007ontopicssuchasDRM regional meetingswillbeorganized hemispheric andatleasttwosub- among governmentagencies.One and howtoputDRMintopractice indicators, budgetaryplanning The dialoguethemesweredisaster took placeinBarbadosandBolivia. work. Two sub-regionalevents with theRegionalPovertyNet- that includedaspecialjointsession Network meetinginWashington organized aregion-wideDisaster Policy Dialogue,in2006theBank In theareaofRegionalDisaster IDB’s roleinrisktransfer. to prepareawhitepaperonthe Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

region, and ECLAC has taken the Kingdom, the Caribbean Develop- opportunity to move forward in the ment Bank and the World Bank development of a methodology for pledged US$47 million for the assessing needs at the post- CCRIF’s reserve fund. A total of 18 emergency stage and a “toolkit” to Caribbean countries are partici- facilitate the planning and co- pating in the CCRIF, which is ordination of efforts to reactivate expected to become operational various sectors, with a risk re- before the 2007 hurricane season, duction approach. which begins in June.

The World Bank’s Board of Adopting a preventive vision that Directors approved a US$14.2 acknowledges the responsibility of million zero-interest credit from development actors in the creation the International Development of vulnerabilities, CAF created the Association (IDA) to four country Andean Regional Program for members of the Organization of Disaster Risk Prevention and Eastern Caribbean States (Domini- Mitigation (PREANDINO). Since its ca, , St. Lucia, and St. inception in 2000, a total of 287 Vincent and the Grenadines), and national, sectoral, and territorial an IDA grant of US$9.0 million to institutions have joined this to support their participation program, which is organized into in the Caribbean Catastrophe Risk 73 working groups in which more Insurance Facility (CCRIF). The than 1500 professionals take part. CCRIF will enable governments to The overarching aim of the purchase catastrophe coverage Program is to support the efforts of akin to business interruption Andean countries to design insurance that will provide them national, sectoral and territorial with early cash payment after a policies on disaster risk mitigation major hurricane or earthquake. and prevention. The Program Pooling their risk will save the involves more than 161 high-ran- participating countries some 40 king government officials, and it percent in individual premium seeks, by the end of their terms in payments. office, to ensure that they have succeeded in improving institu- The IDA credit will provide Domi- tional organization. Institutional nica, Grenada, St. Vincent and the schemes were also developed to Grenadines and St. Lucia with take account of the impact of resources to meet their payments adverse natural phenomena in of annual insurance premiums planning. Furthermore, solid over the next 3 years. The funds will technical and institutional support be disbursed in four installments was provided to encourage the to the CCRIF at the request of each inclusion of disaster risk pre- country’s Ministry of Finance. vention and reduction criteria in laws and regulations already in On February 26, 2007, the World place or in the pipeline; for Bank hosted a donor pledging collection and systematization of conference where , information on hazards and Canada, the United vulnerability, and to raise aware-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 29 30 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment (Paragraph 12) social responsibility, andfostera spiritofentrepreneurshipaswell asstrongbusinessactivity. human capital,encourageincreasedincomesandimprove theirdistribution,promotecorporate ends, itisnecessarytoimprovetransparencyandthe investmentclimateinourcountries,build create jobs,fightextremepoverty, andovercome inequalityintheHemisphere.To achievethese Sustainedeconomicgrowth,withequityandsocial inclusion,isanindispensableconditionto to assisttheminimproving their with severalcountriesinthe region The through itsNaturalDisasterRisk a morerobustandtimelymanner ral disastersthreatsintheregion financing necessarytotacklenatu- provides theaddedinvestmentand support phasetooneinwhichit and tomovefromtheplanning adopt anewapproachinitsefforts of PREANDINO,CAFhasdecidedto ensured thecontinuityofwork Recently, sincethePREDECANhas the AndeanCommunity(CAN). through theGeneralSecretariatof million) andcurrentlyinoperation by theEuropeanUnion(•13.5 DECAN), withfinancingprovided the AndeanCommunity(PRE- Program forDisasterPreventionin (CAPRADE) andthedesignof Disaster PreventionandAssistance of theAndeanCommitteefor accomplishments wasthecreation included amongmanyother Development). Attheregionallevel, Disaster RiskReductionin truments (PlansorStrategiesfor development ofplanningins- countries areengagedinthe ANDINO, alloftheAndean At present,asaresultofPRE- territorial levels. ness amongusersatthesectoraland OAS has beenworkingclosely with aviewtocreatingjobs. There doing, inattractinginvestment investment climate,and inso program. integrated intotheCDB’s work (DMFC)” wascompletedandfully Mitigation FacilityoftheCaribbean the foundationworkof“Disaster recently launched.Furthermore, Risk InsuranceInitiative”was of adisaster. Also the“Catastrophic immediate reliefintheaftermath Agency (CDERA)toprovide Caribbean DisasterResponse with theregionalbodiessuchas Caribbean, andworksveryclosely landslides, beacherosion,etc.)in disasters (hurricanes,floods, countries thathavenatural assistance, loans,anddebtreliefto The to naturaldisasters. tions mostvulnerableandexposed scheme wouldbenefitthepopula- human costsofactsnature.The mitigate thepotentialmaterialand national marketsandhelpto would lowertheriskforinter- subscribe tothesebonds,which governments intheregioncan bond schemethroughwhich The guiding principle. prevention remainsthecore Management Program,where CABEI CDB providedtechnical hasdesignedadisaster Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

is an increasing recognition in the vehicle dealing with adminis- region that investment-related le- trative procedures. gal and administrative procedures –and the costs and delays asso- In order to stimulate human ciated with them– can significantly development, the OAS, through its influence the location of firms and Special Multilateral Fund (FEM- their resulting productivity. Time CIDI), provided financing for the and transparency matter for project, “International re-cognition investors –both foreign and local. for the accreditation systems of the In view of the establishment of the countries of the Americas to Caribbean Single Market, and at facilitate free trade in the region.” the request of members of the The aim of the project is to enhance Organisation of Eastern Caribbean the accreditation infrastructure of States, the OAS is providing agents that rate compliance by assistance to these countries in accreditation agencies in the creating a more streamlined and Americas region, in order to lower investor-friendly policy environ- technical trade barriers and ment, using the “One-Stop Shop” facilitate free trade. concept as a way to fashion a

Recognizing that the reduction of inequality and the elimination of poverty cannot be achieved solely through welfare-oriented social policies, we commit to undertaking comprehensive government policies that institutionalize the fight against poverty. We commit to consolidating more democratic societies with opportunities for all, and will promote greater access for our people to education, health care, labor markets, and credit. (Paragraph 13)

ECLAC has continued its analytical In the social arena, particular activities, seeking synergies importance has been placed on between economic growth and so- fostering greater equality of cial equity as part of a productive opportunity by promoting edu- modernization process that focuses cation and the positive returns it on boosting competitiveness, has for poor households, on add- safeguarding macroeconomic ba- ressing and working to counteract lances and strengthening a par- the exclusionary dynamics of stru- ticipatory and inclusive form of cturally heterogeneous labour . The idea at the core of markets, using social expenditure this proposal is that the Latin to redistribute assets, and on pro- American and Caribbean econ- moting the full exercise of citizen- omies will need to transform their ship, thereby strengthening de- production structures, as well as mocracy and laying the political embarking upon an intensive foundations for more inclusive process of human capital for- societies. mation.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 31 32 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment book examinessomeofthe was publishedinJanuary2007.The ca LatinayelCaribe(Spanishonly) y sentidodepertenenciaenAméri- entitled Cohesiónsocial:inclusión the contextoftheseefforts,abook Government tobeheldin2007.In Summit ofHeadsStateand contribution totheIbero-American seminar heldinPanama,anda publications, ahigh-levelexpert policy. Thishasbeenreflectedin guidance ofeconomicandsocial a principleforthecomprehensive ce theconceptofsocialcohesionas ECLAC hasalsohelpedtointrodu- and notasaseparateactivity. of overallnationaldevelopment should beaddressedinthecontext ment indrugproducingareas ting whethereconomicdevelop- international foracurrentlydeba- the OAShasbeenactivein felt. Forexample,onthepolicyside, where impactwillbemorebroadly begun tofocusitseffortsonactions ber ofpeople,andinsteadhave that benefitarelativelysmallnum- successful butcostlypilotprojects The OAShasphasedoutseveral related toalternativedevelopment. implement Summitmandates OAS Funding limitationshaveforcedthe communities andfamiliesinthosecountriesaffectedbythepresenceofillicitcrops.(Paragraph14) growth, promotethecreationofdecentwork,andsupportsustainableeconomicviability reiterate oursupporttoensurethatalternativedevelopmentprojectscontributeeconomic Taking intoaccounttheeffortsmadeinHemispherestruggleagainstdrugtrafficking,we torethinkhowitcanbest and whichaffectitsviability. political andinstitutionalfields which arepresentintheeconomic, constraints andthescopeforaction must takeintoaccountboththe cohesion agendafortheregion based ontheideathatsocial democratic ethic.Thedocumentis enjoyment ofcitizenshipanda to society, basedoneffective dual peopleafeelingofbelonging social exclusionandgiveindivi- order tobridgegapsintheareaof and politicalwillareneededin particular thoseinwhichresources dimensions ofsocialcohesion,in other similarinitiatives. activities thatareisolatedfrom efforts andavoidsupporting order topreventduplicationof national counterpartagenciesin ving itscoordinationwiththe OAS willconcentrateonimpro- cies andfinancialinstitutions.The organizations, developmentagen- member statesandtointernational assistance andpolicyadviceto provide information,technical share bestpracticeswithand serving asacentreofexcellenceto The OASalsoseesaroleforitselfin Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

We express our commitment to the progress of the negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda. We will make every effort to attain an ambitious and balanced outcome at the Sixth World Trade Organization Ministerial Conference, which will lead to a successful conclusion of the Doha Round in 2006 based, inter alia, on the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries. We remain committed to achieving substantial progress on all elements of the Doha Negotiations, in order to gain, in particular, greater access to markets for our exports, the elimination of all forms of agricultural export subsidies, and a substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support. We remain committed to achieving an ambitious outcome to the negotiations and to the full and effective implementation of the Work Program related to small economies. Our objective is to expand our trade, as a means of boosting growth and our capacity to generate more, higher quality, and better-paying jobs. (Paragraph 18.)

To contribute to the strengthening Trade for Latin American Coun- of the human and institutional tries” enabled financing to be capacity of member States to provided for five research studies participate in the multilateral trade on trade agreements, in particular negotiations, the OAS has con- in connection with agriculture and tinued to partner with the World the impact of the various nego- Trade Organization (WTO) to tiation scenarios of the Doha Round. organize the “Annual Multilateral In this context, it is important to and Regional Trade Issues for the draw attention to the discussions Americas course”, ongoing since held at the World Trade Orga- 1998, and held, in 2006, in partner- nization on the trade facilitation ship with George Washington Uni- initiative, where the need was versity Law School. proposed for regional development banks to play an active role to CAF has actively accompanied the ensure its success. It is also worth trade talks among the countries of mentioning the event held in San- the region as part of its role in tiago, Chile, in conjunction with the support of its shareholders. In that Trade Division of ECLAC, to discuss connection, the imple-mentation in the research agendas of the two 2006 of the Program in Support of institutions on trade-related issues. Increased Partnership in World

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 33

Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Jobs to Fight Poverty

We commit to implementing active policies to generate decent work and create the conditions for quality employment that imbue economic policies and globalization with a strong ethical and human component, putting the individual at the center of work, the company, and the economy. We will promote decent work, that is to say: fundamental rights at work, employment, social protection and social dialogue. (Paragraph 21)

ECLAC produced the document progress towards the institution of Social Panorama of Latin America a universal pension and retirement 2006, which examines the changes scheme in which minimum be- in the main labour-market in- nefits can be properly financed in dicators and compares trends the long term. recorded in the period 1990-2002 with those for the last three years In order to contribute to the (2003-2005). It is concluded that the analysis of labour markets and, in upturn in employment and, partly, particular, the concern at both the in wages seen in the more recent regional and the global levels over period has not significantly im- the issue of employment and proved the quality of new jobs. It unemployment among young also notes that the current levels of people, ECLAC conducted a num- coverage of employment-based ber of studies on labour-market contributory social security sche- integration for young people. mes are insufficient to sustain

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 35 36 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty Elimination ofAllFormsRacialDiscrimination.(Paragraph24) commitment tofullyimplementourobligationsundertheUnitedNationsConventionon and intolerancethroughavailable meansasamatterofthehighestpriority. We alsorecallour Intolerance, andlendencouragementtothatWorking Groupto combatracism,discrimination, of aDraftInter-AmericanConventionAgainstRacismandallFormsDiscrimination (XXXV O/05)thatledtotheestablishmentofaWorking Groupinchargeof,interalia,thepreparation discrimination. To thisend,we supporttheimplementationofOASResolution AG/RES. 2126 and identifyingpracticalsteps,includingbestpractices,onhowtocombatracism other activities,analyzingthesocial,economic,andpoliticalobstaclesfacedbymarginalizedgroups wider society. TheInter-American Systemalsohasavitalroletoplayinthisprocessby, among intolerance inoursocieties.Theseproblemsmustbefoughtatalllevelsofgovernmentandthe We reaffirmourstrongcommitmenttoconfrontingthescourgeofracism,discrimination,and that isworkingonaDraftAmerican the PermanentCouncilof OAS on JuridicalandPoliticalAffairs of Working Group oftheCommittee Rapporteurship supports the As partofthisactivity, the and practices. mendations intheirdomesticlaws might requesttoimplementrecom- assistance thatmemberStates monitor andprovideanytechnical the regioninthisconnection;and identify andsharebestpracticesin signed toovercomeobstacles,and formulate recommendationsde- countries oftheregioninthisarea, challenges thatconfrontthe crimination; analyzethecurrent eliminate allformsofracialdis- rights ofAfro-descendantsand States’ dutiestorespectthehuman purposes: togenerateawarenessof Member Statesforthefollowing teurship includeworkwithOAS objectives oftheSpecialRappor- From thatperspective,thecore on HumanRightsinthatarea. by theInter-AmericanCommission and consolidatemeasuresadopted stimulate, systematize,strengthen of the and againstRacialDiscrimination on theRightsofAfro-Descendants The OfficeoftheSpecialRapporteur OAS engagesinactivitiesto and regions.Intheframework of human rightsinvariouscountries neral andspecificsituations of Commission heldhearings onge- its 124thregularsession, the cussions onallegedviolations.At sessions andtakespartindis- hearings tobegrantedatregular American Commissionregarding commendations totheInter- The Rapporteurshipmakesre- discrimination intheworkplace. another forpublicationonracial Americas, oneonadmissibilityand report onaffirmativeactioninthe the Rapporteurshipsubmitteda going, atthe126thregularsession mination. Inrelationtothefore- the eliminationofracialdiscri- studies onmattersconnectedwith descendants and,furthermore, reports ontherightsofAfro- preparation ofspecialstudiesand and racialdiscriminationinthe with respecttoAfro-descendants Commission onHumanRights the workofInter-American The Rapporteurshipalsosupports the finaldraft. contributing tothediscussionson currently analyzingthedraftand Forms ofDiscrimination.Itis Convention againstRacismandAll Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

the hearings of a general nature the the Inter-American Dialogue that Commission received information serves as secretariat to the Inter- on the situation of economic, social, Agency Consultation and cultural rights in Brazil. The OAS also issued a vacancy The Special Rapporteurship also notice for an Afro-descendent works with parties to reach a lawyer to work under a grant at friendly settlement of matters the Rapporteurship for one year. submitted to the OAS in this area, This fellowship is part of the as well as preparing consultations promotion activities that the and recommendations to member Rapporteurship carries out to states on amendment of standards provide training to Afro-descen- and provisions in force on the rights dant lawyers. of Afro-descendants and racial discrimination. The Special Rapporteur also works with the other Special Rappor- The Rapporteurship also accom- teurships of the Commission in panies the Inter-American Com- matters that intersect with Afro- mission on its on-site research descendants and racial discri- visits to countries in the region. mination and their respective During such visits the Office of the mandates. With civil society, the Special Rapporteur collects work focuses on amplifying information and investigates the awareness in the region of the main visible problems regarding guarantees and mechanisms the Afro-descendants and racial inter-American human rights discrimination; prepares, as system offers for the protection of appropriate, draft reports on the rights of Afro-descendants and admissibility, merits, and friendly against racial discrimination. Also, settlement; and collaborates in the the Rapporteurship maintains a preparation of thematic reports on database on the most current the situation in countries in the information received through its region and the annual reports to the informal hemispheric network OAS. related to the rights of people of African descent and racial discri- At the 123rd Regular Session of the mination in member States or Commission, the Special Rappor- progress in this matter; promotes teur gave a presentation on the the Inter-American system “Interagency Consultation on Race through its participation in and Poverty in Latin America”, education and training activities as which, apart from the IACHR, well as seminars, conferences and included the Inter-American fora, among others. Finally, the Development Bank (IDB), the Pan Special Rapporteurship works in American Health Organization collaboration with the pertinent (PAHO), the World Bank, the UK UN Bodies, including CERD, the Department for International Working Group of Afro-descen- Development (DFID), the Ford dants, and the Special Rapporteur Foundation, and the Inter- on Racial Discrimination. American Foundation, as well as

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 37 38 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty educational opportunitiesisaninvestmentinthefutureofoursocieties.(Paragraph25.) improve accesstoandthequalityofbasiceducationforallchildren,recognizingthatproviding the worstformsofchildlaboraccordingtoConvention 182oftheILO(1999).We willstriveto Work (1998).Inaddition,we willtakeimmediateandeffective measurestopreventanderadicate of childlabor, whichiscontainedintheILODeclarationonFundamentalPrinciplesandRightsat with theireducationandintegraldevelopment,accordingtotheprincipleofeffectiveabolition We committoprotectingchildrenfromeconomicexploitationandanytasksthatmayinterfere Rapporteur ontheRightsofAfro- In thefuture,OfficeofSpecial intolerance heldinBrasilia,Brazil. xenophobia, andrelatedformsof racism, racialdiscrimination, ges intheprogramofactionagainst on accomplishmentsandchallen- gional ConferenceoftheAmericas Rapporteur alsoattendedtheRe- Salvador, Bahía,Brazil,in2006.The and DiasporaIntellectualsheldin International ConferenceofAfrican issue intheAmericas,including pated indifferentmeetingsonthis The Rapporteurshipalsopartici- children andadolescents of Uru- Commercial SexualExploitation of Committee fortheEradication of Child LaborandtheNational Committee fortheEradicationof assis-tance giventotheNational manent co-operationandtechnical highlight amongthem,theper- Mandate throughout2006.We first with theimple-mentationofthis undertaken actionsdirectlyrelated organization ofthe dren’s Institute(IIN) Americas, the of economicexploitationinthe of childrenandadolescentsvictims protection anddefenseoftherights continuous labordedicatedtothe Within theframeworkofits Compromise andthe2001Yokohama Declaration. ThisreportdetailstheprogressmadeinMember Statesinfulfillingofthe1996StockholmGoals,2001 1 Inter-American Chil- , aspecialized OAS , has practices intheregion. overcome obstaclesandsharegood formulate recommendationsto face thecountriesinregion;and ent challengesinthisregardthat Discrimination; analyzethecurr- against RacismandAllFormsof on theDraftAmericanConvention the PermanentCouncilofOAS on JuridicalandPoliticalAffairsof Working GroupoftheCommittee provide technicalsupporttothe rry outactivitieswiththeStates, Discrimination willcontinuetoca- Descendants andagainstRacial Americas Children andAdolescents inthe dition oftheSexualExploi-tation of General oftheOASon Con- VII AnnualReporttotheSecretary elaboration andpresentationofthe Children Sweden. Thirdly, the ECPAT International andSavethe of atripartiteagreementwith Adolescents”, throughthesigning Sexual ExploitationofChildrenand American Observatoryonthe study forthecreationofan“Inter- development ofapreliminary (ILO) International LaborOrganization Plans, inconjunctionwiththe of theirrespective NationalWork guay inthedesignandelaboration andUNICEF. Secondly, the 1 , keepingwiththeOAS Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

General Assembly resolution AG/ national governments in facing this RES. 1667 (XXIX-O/99). Finally, the issue. These and other actions, initiation of the project “Integral which the IIN can promote based Study on Legislation an Public on its functions and mandates, will Policies against Commercial Sexual have as their central goal the Exploitation of children and protection of children and adoles- adolescents in Latin America”, in cents from all types of economic concordance with Save the exploitation in the region, the Children Sweden, the results of progressive elimination of child la- which were presented during the bor, specially in its worst forms, and VI Meeting of High Authorities on the promotion of access to quality Human Rights and Foreign education for all. Ministries of MERCOSUR – Niñ@Sur Working Group, in With respect to this priority area, December 2006, being a concrete in the framework of the OAS, the contribution from IIN to this Ministries of Labor have attended relevant theme promoted in both meetings for discussion and the fields of the OAS (AG/RES. 2240 analysis of the effective abolition of XXXVI-O/06) and MERCOSUR’s child labor. This issue has been Associated States. taken up by the meetings of the OAS Working Groups and targeted by To continue the implementation of the International Program for the this Mandate, the IIN will promote Elimination of Child Labor (IPEC). a series of measures to combat child labor and to promote access to The OAS also works to support basic education in two comple- member States in their efforts to mentary fields. In the first field, the expand and improve the quality IIN will seek not only to reinforce and equity of educational oppor- its strategic alliances on a national tunities by focusing its efforts in and regional level with govern- several critical areas identified as ment and civil society actors, but priorities by Ministers of Edu- will also aim to expand co- cation: early childhood care and operation and working relation- education; teacher quality; edu- ships with other countries and cation indicators and assessment; agencies, particularly with the ILO and the development of democratic and their “International Program practices and values through for the Eradication of Child Labor education. The OAS concentrates (IPEC)” in Latin America and the its efforts on policy dialogue, hori- Caribbean. In the second field, the zontal cooperation, and designing IIN will advocate for greater depth and implementing projects to in the knowledge of the character- inform and strengthen policies and istics of child labor, its incidence in build human and institutional the region, and its direct relation- capacity. In 2006-2007, the follow- ship with the violation of the right ing was achieved: to education. In order to do so, it Early Childhood Education . will conduct specific diagnostics Research shows that investments and will elaborate several ins- in early childhood education can truments to collaborate with lead to greater success in educa-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 39 40 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty hemisphere, inSeptember2006 in governments fromacross the boration withuniversities and teachers areprepared.In colla- expected tolearnwith how articulate whatstudents are educators inmemberstatesto collaboration acrossteacher promoting bothresearchand that instruction.TheOASis teachers atalllevelstoprovide quality ofpreparationthe of classroominstructionand in nosmallmeasureonthequality The qualityofeducationdepends Quality. Teacher Developmentand central theme. education hasbeenselectedasthe the topicofearlychildhood Ministers ofEducation,forwhich organization oftheVMeeting be supportingColombiainthe selected countries.TheOASwill ral andbordercommunitiesin young childreninindigenous,ru- policy tendenciesforattentionto Leer Foundation,isalsoanalyzing llaboration oftheBernardVan OAS, withthesupportandco- Venezuela inmid-May2007.The to threewillbeheldinCaracas, in attentiontochildrenageszero symposium onthestateofart underway, andaninternational policies andprogramsare cluding asurveyofMemberState school. Researchactivitiesin- and frompreschooltoprimary childhood educationprograms, children fromthefamilytoearly successful transitionforyoung policy andpracticetopromotea project aimedatstrengthening develop andbeginexecutinga worked withmemberStatesto opportunities. To thisendtheDEC tional achievementandlife “Inter-American Summit on include theorganization ofthe In 2007keyProgramactivities (www.educadem.oas.org) held July5-7,2006inMexico City. Practices inCitizenshipEducation” “International SeminaronBest ship; andtheorganizationofan education fordemocraticcitizen- programs inthehemisphere a mappingofcurrentpoliciesand the ProgramlaunchedinJune2006; development ofaWeb Portal for 19, 2006inBogotá,Colombia;the its AdvisoryBoardheldApril17- vities includedthefirstmeetingof American Program”in2006,acti- In thefirstphaseof“Inter exchange. development, andinformation through research,professional cies andyouthengagement improve citizenshipcompeten- ministries andNGOsworkingto and Practices”,anallianceof Education forDemocraticValues “Inter-American Programon member Statestolaunchthe with Colombiaandother mocracy. In2006,theOASworked for civicengagementinade- schooling istopreparestudents An importantpurposeof Citizenship. Education forDemocratic iten ) educators. (www.oest.oas.org/ expand thisnetworkofteacher OAS continuestosupportand in thisimportantarea,andthe approaches topolicyandpractice collect anddisseminatenew its Teacher EducationPortal” to Teacher EducatorNetwork and launched the“Inter-American Trinidad andTobago theOAS Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Education for Conflict Resolution in Trafficking and Smuggling in Ohio”, USA from March 14-17, the Children and Reinforcing their launching of the new bilingual Knowledge About Sexual Repro- online academic journal “Inter- ductive Health”. It aims at com- American Journal on Education for bating the trafficking of child-ren Democracy”, and the continued and raising awareness and edu- implementation of two distance cating on sexual and repro-ductive courses for educators on teaching health issues. Related subjects, democratic values and practices in such as domestic violence, un- Peru and in the Caribbean. wanted pregnancies, and sexual and reproductive health are Educational indicators. included. Effective decision making re- quires accurate and up-to-date The 15 month project will make use information. For this reason, in of best practices of previous counter 2006-7 DEC continued to partner trafficking experiences in Peru. with the Public Education More than 100 teachers from each Secretariat of Mexico and participating country will be UNESCO to implement the trained on the subject of human Summit-mandated “Regional trafficking. The training is expected Program on Educational Indi- to have a multiplying effect, as this cators (PRIE)”, to help countries information will trickle down to build the capacity to collect, more than 4,000 students in analyze and use internationally primary and secondary schools. comparable educational indi- cators in their decision-making All participating schools will take processes for educational im- part in a contest with the winner provement. in each country becoming the national representative in charge The IOM Regional Office in Lima, of transferring the acquired along with its partners the IDB and knowledge. The project also aims the offices of the First Ladies of Bo- to place the subject of human livia, Colombia, and trafficking in school programs and , are implementing the on the public’s agenda. project “Regional Prevention of

We reaffirm that all migrants, regardless of their immigration status, should be accorded the full protection of human rights and the full observance of labor laws applicable to them, including the principles and labor rights embodied in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998). (Paragraph 26)

In order to promote the rights of (RIAL), the hemispheric workshop migrants, the OAS held, in the seminar on “Migrant Workers: Pro- framework of the Inter-American tection of their Labor Rights and Labor Administration Network Labor Market Programs” in

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 41 42 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty reiterate theimportanceofitsfullimplementationbyparties.(Paragraph27) on theProtectionofHumanRights All MigrantWorkers andMembersoftheirFamilies resolution AG/RES. 2141(XXXV-O/05). Likewise,thestatepartiestoInternationalConvention and encouragesupportfortheInter-AmericanProgramadoptedbyGeneralAssemblyin We willpromotedecent work formigrantworkersinthecontextofDeclarationNuevo León out oftheeventwasneedfor Among themainissuesthatcame agement ofmigrantflows. designed toensureorderlyman- ral agreementsandprograms workers, aswellspecificbilate- the laborrightsofmigrant and bestpracticesforpromotionof Human Rights,sharedexperiences Inter-American Commissionon representatives oftheOAS, Hemisphere, which,togetherwith gether 28MinistriesofLaborinthe Canada. Thiseventbroughtto- the laborprogramofLabor Canada, withsupportprovidedby November 2006,inOttawa, Isla Margarita,Venezuela, during with HumanTrafficking”, heldin ting ofNationalAuthorities dealing sense, IINwaspresentatthe “Mee- grants findthemselves. Inthis in whichtheundocumentedmi- condition ofextremevulnerability remittances, trafficking,andthe separated families,theeffectof effects, suchasthesituationof its morepreoccupyingoutlying munities, homes,andpeople, phenomenon, itsimpactoncom- characteristics ofthemigratory regional forumsonthecurrent different meetings,conferencesand OAS specialized organizationofthe Children’s Institute(IIN) During 2006,the , activelyparticipatedin Inter-American ILO and , a among otherissues. perform inmigrationmanagement, Ministries ofLaborarecalledonto tion, andsurveillancerolesthat dination, lawenforcement,inspec- tination ofmigrants;thecoor- ween countriesoforiginanddes- urgent needforcooperationbet- migrant workersoftheirrights;the munication strategiestoinform tances; awarenessraisingandcom- of pensions;theimpactremit- curity soastoenablethetransfer lateral agreementsonsocialse- importance ofbilateralormulti- management ofmigrantlabor;the ensure transparentandorderly governments toworktogether neral DirectorheldtheConference organizing NGOs.Lastly, theGe- with UNICEF, IOM,andtheforum lescence NGOs,incollabo-ration America’s Childhood and Ado- statement oftheIIIForumLatin and Adolescents”forthefinal gration intheRightsofChildren document “TheImpactofMi- editing oftheroughdraft also invitedtoparticipateinthe and Rights”wasprepared.IIN document “Migration:Childhood tions andMoves”,forwhichthe “Childhood andYouth: Disloca- and CaribbeanNetwork, International’s Latin-American the IIIConferenceofChildwatch topic. Likewise,IINparticipatedin which itheldaconferenceonthis Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

“Migration: From Solidarity to ding and information processes Insensitivity” during the VIII Latin that began with the previous phase. American Conference of Ministers The previous phase of the project Responsible for Infancy and was implemented between March Adolescence, entitled “Migration 2005 and March 2006 in four and its Effects on the Rights of localities (Jujuy, Misiones, Santa Children and Adolescents”, during Cruz provinces and the City of Bue- which IIN also offered technical aid nos Aires) and reached over 2000 in the organization and develop- beneficiaries. ment phases of the event. In all these instances, IIN tried to intro- The capacity-building component duce as the first order of debate the promotes the creation and most pressing problems for the institutionalization of regional/ childhood and adolescence of the provincial counter trafficking inter- region, seeking the exchange of institutional boards (including experiences from a perspective of parliamentary representatives, ju- the rights of children and dicial and assistance operators) and adolescents. Lastly, we highlight provides technical assistance on the general agreement of co- prevention, prosecution and operation signed with the “Pan- policy-making related to tra- American Center against the fficking. The training com-ponent Disappearance, Exploitation, targets governmental and non- Treating and Traffic (CIDETT)”, to governmental organizations and carry out joint actions in this provides tools for planning, matter, through the prevention, assessing and implementing protection and attention of the counter-trafficking actions and rights of children and adolescents. assistance to victims of trafficking, including the “Train the trainers” CABEI is currently exploring the program to ensure the independent possibility of offering a remittance replication of training activities for service that is more economical federal government agencies. The than the current mechanisms for public information component is sending money to the region, as a designed to sensitize the public as way to help combat poverty and regards the causes and risks of improve quality of life in Central trafficking, as well as to strengthen America. the knowledge of trafficking as a crime that requires urgent action. In its second phase, the IOM’s “FOINTRA-project (Fortalecimien- In Venezuela, IOM is working with to Institucional en la Lucha contra the Ministry of Labor to develop a la Trata de Personas en Argentina) media campaign to address human on Capacity Building on Counter rights of migrant workers and their Trafficking in Argentina” is set to families. This mass information expand its scope to an additional campaign will inform migrant four provinces (Córdoba, Tucumán, workers of their rights and duties Entre Ríos and Neuquén) and to as well as the institutions obligated enhance the counter-trafficking to guarantee their rights. The ge- sensitizing, training, capacity buil- neral objective of this project is to

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 43 44 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty states discussedandagreed toco- participating SouthAmerican the monthofMay2006. The hosted byParaguayinAsunción in ference onMigration(SCM)” was The “6thSouthAmericanCon- Interviewing Techniques. tance, andVictimIdentification ment are:Children,DirectAssis- the seriescurrentlyunderdevelop- trafficking. Thenextthreetopicsin rights-based approachtocounter- is essentialtoacomprehensive, introduction toeachtopic,which the participantobtainsanexcellent training group’s specificcontext, and French.Adaptabletothe have beentranslatedintoSpanish Networking) inEnglish,which ding, andCooperation and Reintegration,CapacityBuil- (Information Campaigns,Return trafficking trainingmodules IOM publishedaseriesofcounter- parties concerned. rates economicbenefitstoall to irregularmigrationandgene- the projectprovidesanalternative protection andreturnofworkers, mechanism fortherecruitment, return. Besidesbeinganefficient mala toCanada,andmonitorstheir agricultural workersfromGuate- departure andtransferofseasonal assists intheselection,pre- Through establishedcriteria,IOM countries oforiginanddestination. and employers,inboththe a projectthatbenefitsmigrants Government, IOMisimplementing At therequestofGuatemalan in Venezuela. migrant workersandtheirfamilies working conditionsandlifestyleof assist intheimprovementof of twocomponentsentailing better the initiative.Theproject consists achieved duringthefirstphase of children andtodeepenthe results trafficking inpersons,especially counteract thephenomenonof bute toacommonapproach Pornography”, whichwillcontri- Children andtoPreventChild “Project toCounterTrafficking of plementing thesecondstageofa Bolivia andChile,IOMisim- In theMERCOSURregionandin la in2007. scheduled totakeplaceinVenezue- 7th South-AmericanConferenceis a spaceforreflection.Thenextand rights andmigrantstoprovide regarding theprotectionofhuman tina’s internationalcommitments seminar wastoanalyzeArgen- Human Rights.Theobjectiveofthe Lower Chamber’s Commissionon Human RightsSecretariatandthe under theauspicesofNational the MainChallengesinArgentina” “The HumanRightsofMigrants– nos Airesarrangedaseminaron Declaration ofAsuncion,IOMBue- rights andinaccordancewiththe Conference attachedtohuman In viewoftherelevanceSixth September 2006. Development thattookplacein Dialogue onMigrationand contribution totheUNHighLevel formed partoftheregion’s the “DeclarationofAsuncion”and conference wasformallyagreedin of persons.Theoutcomethe combat smugglingandtrafficking of migrantsandmeasuresto and respectforthehumanrights lopment, includingthepromotion related tomigrationanddeve- operate onanumberofthemes Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

understanding of trafficking by ponsible for monitoring rein- means of a “Regional Training sertion. Workshop” and the development of specific research. In the tri-border of Paraguay, Brazil and Argentina, IOM is raising IOM’s “Assistance to Victims of public awareness and increasing Trafficking Program (AVOT)” aims knowledge on the risks and to assist victims of trafficking (VOT) consequences of trafficking through through a multi-pronged strategy dissemination of information. including: the protection, return Mainly, the project addresses and reintegration of victims of potential and current victims as trafficking. To this end, the “AVOT well as relevant Triple Border Program” employs a mechanism to NGOs and social stakeholders in promptly identify victims, after view of preventing and dis- which the assistance component is couraging trafficking. In this sense, implemented. This component was an initial database with key conceived as a flexible tool to be stakeholders involved in counter- adjusted to the peculiarities of each trafficking measures has been case; as such it comprises medical processed in order to ensure a assistance, psychological support, common approach and to ensure social assistance (basic consum- sustainability once the completion ption needs, food, and clothing), of the project has been achieved. temporary shelter, legal advice, and assistance in personal docu- Country missions under the Regio- mentation procedures, voluntary nal Office in San Jose, Costa Rica are return to places of origin in safe undertaking many projects to conditions and the formulation of prevent trafficking in persons and a social reintegration plan. to assist the victims of trafficking. In Costa Rica, a “Project to Assist Reinsertion actions for victims of Trafficking Victims in the Pacific trafficking in their countries of Coast” has been in full im- origin are coordinated by the plementation since April 2006. AVOT-team and implemented by Following an IOM report detailing local counterparts. For example, the dimension of human tra- the formulation and imple- fficking, its trends and prevalence mentation of reintegration plans in the country, the Costa Rican Go- for the Paraguayan victims of vernment has asked IOM to sexual exploitation were jointly participate in the drafting of a managed with the Childhood and “National Plan of Action to Combat Adolescence Secretariat and the Human Trafficking”. Women’s Secretariat of Paraguay, and articulation regarding the Other advances in counter traf- return of victims of labour ex- ficking efforts include the signing ploitation and child victims of of a commitment letter by high level trafficking in Bolivia was carried authorities of key governmental out through the IOM Office in La institutions in support of the Paz, along with governmental and/ “National Protocol for the Return or civil society counterparts res- of Victims of Trafficking, especially

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 45 46 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty support oftheJudiciaryOffice Trafficking Coalition,withthe framework oftheNationalCounter trafficking programs.Inthe implement itsmanycounter and internationalorganizationsto closely withgovernmentofficials tral America,IOMisworking to 1.5months.ElsewhereinCen- particularly foreigners,stayingup of trafficking,somethem, It hasassistedatotalof60victims has beenoperatingsinceApril2006. Shelter forVictims ofTrafficking” In ElSalvador, the“Temporary tion toCombatHumanTrafficking.” launching ofthe“NationalCoali- in CostaRicawiththeofficial human traffickingisalsounderway new phaseinthefightagainst the RickyMartinFoundation.A coordination withthe hotline formigrantchildrenin way tolaunchthenumberof tionally conversationsareunder- Children andAdolescents”.Addi- ties thatareconsonant with (MIF), hassupportedseveral activi- Multilateral Investment Fund Since 2005the Declaration. please refertoMandate26ofthe OAS For informationrelatingtothe practices onestablishingbilateralprogramsformigrant workers.(Paragraph28) provide forthedignified,orderly, andsafereturnofmigrant,toinvitestatesexchangebest migrants andtraffickinginpersons,keepingwith international instrumentsofhumanrights;to in ordertoreducethecostandfacilitateremittances toincreaseeffortscombatsmugglingof legal systemofeachStateandapplicableinternational humanrightslaw. We committodialogue undocumented migrationaswelltopromoteprocessesinaccordancewiththenational We callforanincreaseininter-American cooperation anddialoguetoreducediscourage ’s activitiesforthismandate, IDB , throughits IDB through them intheirjobsearch. micro-credit schemes,andassist vocational trainingprograms, to returnschoolorjoin project alsohelpsthosewhowish psychosocial counseling.The care, clothing,aswelllegaland their placesoforigin,food,medical as shelteroronwardtransportto and provideinitialassistancesuch galpa andSanPedroSulaAirports the returningmigrantsatTeguci- 2006. IOManditspartnersmeet 2,860 womenand521minors)in and 20,318migrants(16,937men returned fromtheUnitedStates In 2005,18,941Honduranswere protocol. ment officialsinapplyingthe the projectbytraininggovern- last taskwiththeaimofcontinuing ILO governmental leaders.UNICEFand Trafficking” was validated bykey Repatriation ofChildrenVictims , the“Protocolfor remittances, topromotefinancial thereby lowerthecostsof sending to promotecompetition and potential ofmigrantremittances, magnitude anddevelopment efforts toraiseawarenessofthe tances. Theseincludeongoing Declaration, onmigrantremit- Mandate 28oftheMardePlata joinedeffortswithIOMforthis Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

democracy by expanding access to remittances in 2007, and will financial services and products, to execute a project on intra-regional generate more accurate data on remittances and microfinance with remittances flows, uses and the Microfinance International applications, and industry pra- Corporation (MFIC), as well as ctices, and to explore new me- continuing to co-finance projects on chanisms by which migrants and remittances in collaboration with their families can leverage IFAD. MIF is also collaborating on remittances. Since May 2006, the remittance-related issues with the MIF approved a regional project to Asian Development Bank, the assist Latin American and World Bank/Committee on Caribbean central banks to adopt Payment and Settlement Services general principals for the (CPSS) Task Force on Remittances, remittances services. In addition, the World Bank Task Force on Data, the MIF has approved 11 additional the Inter-Agency Remittance Task remittances projects through a Force, and the Consultative Group joint facility with the International to Assist the Poor (CGAP). Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). A document entitled “International Migration, Human Rights and Also since May 2006 the MIF has Development in Latin America and completed the following studies on the Caribbean” was presented at remittances: (i) A Survey of Latin the thirty-first session of ECLAC, Americans in the U.S., (ii) Study of held in Montevideo, , in Barriers to Entry into the U.S. March 2006, and delegations Financial System for non-Mexican adopted a resolution on the subject. Migrants, (iii) Remittances, ECLAC also played an active part Investment and Local Economies in in the various preparatory pro- Latin America, (iv) Sending Money cesses and events for the High-level Home: Remittances to Mexico, and Dialogue on International Mi- (v) Sending Money Home: gration and Development, and in Remittances to Paraguay. Since other intergovernmental forums May 2006, the MIF has hosted 5 such as the sixteenth Ibero-Ame- conferences on various topics rican Summit of Heads of State and germane to remittances; two in Government, at which ECLAC Washington, D.C., one in Portugal, made a substantive contribution on one in Brazil, and one in Paraguay. the subject of international migra- tion. Work also continued on a In 2007, the MIF will conduct number of studies on the role of studies on remittances in Mexico, international migration by highly Haiti, and between Spain and Latin qualified people. America. Events are planned in Haiti, Mexico, and Spain. MIF is also For information relating to the conducting an “International Call IOM’s activities for this mandate, for Masters Theses and Disser- please refer to Mandate 27 of the tations” on the issue of migrant Declaration.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 47 48 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty to overcome socialexclusionandinequality, andpoverty. (Paragraph 31) necessary conditionstofacilitatetheiraccessdecentworkandlivingthatallowthem peoples andfortheirfullparticipationinnationalactivities.Forthisreason,wemustcreatethe exercise oftheserightsisessentialfortheexistence,welfare,andintegraldevelopmentindigenous concluding negotiationsontheAmericanDeclarationRightsofIndigenousPeoples.Thefull We reaffirmourcommitmenttorespectindigenouspeoples'rightsandwe committosuccessfully declared thatitwill beopenedforotherindigenous organizationfromallofthe countriesoftheAmericastojoin it. OAS Canada. At thePlanningMeetingof Authorities oftheInter-American CommitteeonCulture.Washington D.C.: (Canada) andtheOrganización de NacionesyPueblosIndígenasenArgentina”.Presentedby the Delegationof 2 on SustainableDevelopment on nisters andHighLevelAuthorities Inter-American MeetingofMi- participation priortotheFirst tual consultationtopromotepublic indigenous peoples,includingavir- from civilsocietyorganizationsand consultations withrepresentatives In addition,theOASorganized Meeting inApril2007Bolivia. officially resumedduring other topicsoftheDraftDeclaration process ofconsensusbuildingin peoples oftheregion.Theongoing and collectiverightsofindigenous cation, aswellindividualrights liberties, culturalidentity, edu- self-determination, fundamental to negotiateconsensusontopicsof of theDeclaration,andinsodoing, on thefirstthroughthirdsections States andoftheIndigenousCaucus representatives ofOASMember ved asaforumfordialogue respectively. Thesemeetingsser- December 2006andJanuary2007, the RightsofIndigenousPeoplesin the DraftAmericanDeclarationon of theWorking GrouptoPrepare the QuestforPointsofConsensus Ninth MeetingsofNegotiationsin The OAShostedtheEighthand vulnerable groupsintheAmericas. social inclusionofsomethemost in eventstopromotetherightsand The “Partnershiponapproachesto urban indigenouspeoplesbetweentheNationalAssociationof Friendship Centres

OAS (Jan. 16,2007).CIDI/CIC/RPA/INF.3/07.(Jan. Thoughthismeetingwas initiallybilateral, theDelegationofCanada hasactivelyparticipated the Tenth to othercontexts. needs, andhowitcouldbeadapted model addressesurbanAboriginal the FriendshipCentreMovement other countriesanddiscussinghow aboriginal peoplesinCanadaand peoples, sharinginformationon roaches tourbanindigenous is todeveloppartnershipsonapp- organizations wheretheobjective activity isameetingforindigenous technical approaches”.Thesecond ginal heritage:traditionaland Symposium “Preservingabori- framework oftheCanadian Americas developedwithinthe activity isaworkshopforthe role ofindigenouspeople’.Thefirst the prioritytopicof‘cultureand activities wereapprovedwithin was organizedbythe Canada inNovember2006,which Ministers ofCultureinMontreal, approved attheIIIMeetingof Committee onCulture(CIC) vities oftheInter-American Within theListofPriorityActi- ration ofSantaCruz. quent preparationoftheDecla- their considerationandsubse- of theMemberStatesOASfor minated tothePermanentMissions these groups,whichwasdisse- containing recommendationsfrom via. Theendresultwasadocument December 4-5inSantaCruz,Boli- 2 OAS , two Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

We affirm our commitment to respect the rights of Afro-descendents and to ensuring their full access to educational opportunities at all levels, and to decent work that will help them overcome poverty and social exclusion and contribute to their increased participation in all sectors of our societies. (Paragraph 32)

Three of the priority topics iden- populations in the Americas. tified by Ministers of Culture during the III Ministerial Meeting, For information relating to the OAS address this mandate, opening activities for this mandate, please opportunities for the future de- refer to Mandate 24 of the velopment of specific OAS activi- Declaration. ties geared toward afro-descendent

We will promote integrated frameworks of public environmental, employment, health, and social security policies to protect the health and safety of all workers and foster a culture of prevention and control of occupational hazards in the Hemisphere. (Paragraph 33)

The OAS has been working with addressed economic, social and member states of the region in the environmental impacts of trade, development of a regional app- including those affecting workers roach for the sound management health in Colombia, Peru and Ecua- of trade related agro-chemicals. dor. The approach aims to address import and export of these che- Through a joint OAS/Pan-Ame- micals, health and safety issues, rican Health Organization (PAHO) occupational health and gender initiative to address implications related issues, among other of globalization and trade for member state priorities that will environmental health in the overall benefit health and safety of Americas, the OAS also provided workers in the hemisphere. practical recommen-dations to improve environmental health at The OAS provided member states the hemispheric and national level. in the Andean Region with capacity The initiative looked at the building and policy options to relationship between trade libera- protect human health and the lization and contagious diseases in environment and promote sus- resource-intensive sectors and tainable development within trade analyzed possible changes or expansion. These capacity building impacts to public health and priorities and policy options were environmental degradation, inclu- identified through the Environ- ding case studies of activities, such mental Assessment and Capacity as agriculture and aqua-culture, Building for Trade Liberalization in linked to trade and foreign direct the Andean Region project that investment (FDI).

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 49 50 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty has alsomade pioneeringmeth- area ofUrbanMassTransport. It reductions inthisconnection inthe only methodologyto verify world pioneerindeveloping the the pipeline.PLAC+ehas beena with theUNandhasfiveothersin It hasalsoregisteredsixprojects another 9millionunderevaluation. million tonsofGHGandhas portfolio ofapproximately16 ThePLAC+e hasidentifieda CAF-KFW LineofCredit. first oftheseinitiativesbeingthe partnership withotherentities,the both independentlyandin financing mechanismsandservices efficiency, CAFhascreatednew alternative energiesandenergy further thepromotionofcleanand international voluntary sector. To of theprivatesectorand governments ofSpainandHolland, involvement, inadditiontothe of itsGHGbuyersandthe meant diversificationofitsportfolio The newmissionofPLAC+ehas and alternativeenergies. cing forenergyefficiencyandclean promoting andprovidingfinan- the GHGmarketbyboth work towardthedevelopmentof demonstrates itsaimtocontinue impact. Thus,thenewPLAC+e with alowsocio-environmental small-scale hydro-powerprojects biomass, geothermic,solar, and financing forinnovativewind, of climatechange,through integral responsetotheproblems energies andenergyefficiencyasan stimulate cleanandalternative part ofitsmissiontopromoteand Carbon Program(PLAC)madeit in 2006, environmental policyframeworks, With respecttointegrationof CAF ’s Latin American change. emissions thatcause climate cular throughthereduction ofGHG of conventionalenergies,in parti- impact causedbytheintensive use so astoreducetheenvironmental these energiesintheenergybasket, to increasetheparticipationof building forcountriesintheregion initiative, istopromotecapacity programs. Theaim,throughthis projects andenergyefficiency clean andalternativeenergy to stimulatetheimplementationof relatively softconditionsdesigned financing mechanismthatoffers The CAF-KFWLineofCreditisa interest groups,andassociations. designated nationalauthorities, carbon marketorganizedby for severaleventstopromotethe at thesametime,providedsupport above-mentioned workshopsand, Corporation hasheldeightofthe interests andclimatechange.The rable outcomesforregional countries cannegotiatemorefavo- and integrationforumssothat entity thathasarrangeddiscussion recognized intheregionas Protocol. Atpresent,CAFis on ClimateChangeandtheKyoto in connectionwiththeConvention negotiating capacityintheregion training workshopstostrengthen also providedsupportforholding technical cooperationfunds.Ithas Protocol, throughtheprovisionof the governmentlevel,forKyoto responsible nationalauthorities,at the creationandstrengtheningof region, PLAC+ehascontributedto In ordertobuildcapacityinthe available attheUN. energies, whicharecurrently of biodigestorsandrenewable odological contributionsinthearea Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

The CAF-KFW Line of Credit has national entities associated with US$160 million to distribute in the productive and environmental biomass, wind, geothermal, solar, sectors, thereby strengthening the hydropower, and energy efficiency scope of action of companies in a projects in the region and is seeking global market subject to increasing any available additional resources. environmental and social demands.

In response to the increasing urban From the beginning, this program and industrial environmental has made significant strides in pollution faced by countries in the support of setting up specific Andean region and the high costs agreements, between the public associated with the implemen- sector and industrial companies in tation of conventional decon- the private sector, in order to meet tamination treatments in industrial industrial decontamination goals processes in the manufacturing in the framework of the PML. In and services sectors, the Cleaner addition, a regional meeting was Production Program (PML) was held to assess progress and needs implemented in July 2006 in order in relation to this important issue to promote preventive measures to in the region and efforts have bring about a reduction in solid, continued in the area of ins- liquid, and gas waste, energy titutional strengthening for efficiency, and appropriate use of shareholder countries to help them raw materials and inputs in accomplish their objectives. At the production processes in large, and same time, CAF has been creating medium-sized, and small industry. and designing specialized finan- In this context, the Program aims cing mechanisms for this area, to encourage, through demons- through partnerships to help tration pilot projects that can be promote business opportunities duplicated in the region, the with PLAC+e, thereby strengthen- appropriate and efficient use of ing its commitment to the environ- existing natural and energy ment and industrial development. resources, thereby averting the environmental pollution problems The International Center for Tropi- associated with industry, while at cal Agriculture (CIAT) developed the same time promoting com- the web-based application, petitiveness and strengthening “Condor Portal,” which is environmental and social res- published on the CAF web site and ponsibility. that of its strategic partner Conservation International. At To carry out that mission, CAF has present a comprehensive perso- established close coordination ties nalized training program is under with the different Cleaner way in the use of the Condor Tool Production Centers located in Latin that encompasses more than 230 American countries as well as with key officials connected with the international agencies, such as the main infrastructure and environ- United Nations Industrial De- mental agencies in the region. The velopment Organization (UNIDO), current version is being updated on and other public and private the web platform to make it com-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 51 52 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty hemisphere asawhole,inkeeping development needsinthesouthern patible withexistinginfrastructure in theCaribbean”,workshop Migrants andMobilePopulations “Building aHealthStrategy for in Washington, DC.Under thetitle for CaribbeanMinistersof Health In addition,IOMheldaworkshop some ofthem. will supportthedisseminationof media partnershiponHIV/AIDS Foundation-Caribbean Broadcast Conference”. TheKaiserFamily “UN 59thAnnualDPI/NGO in aspecializedworkshopatthe nership experiencewaspresented Youth Ambassadors. Thepart- participation fromCARICOM ference (Toronto, Aug 06)”with “XVI InternationalAIDSCon- They werevalidatedduringthe the English-speakingCaribbean. public serviceannouncementsfor resulted inthedevelopmentofthree Public InformationCampaign”that hington developeda“HIVandAIDS College ofDesign,IOM’s MRFWas- AIDS InstituteandtheArtCenter In collaborationwith of prevention,diagnosis,andtreatmentthepopulationatrisk.(Paragraph34) and seektoenhancethecooperationmechanismsthatwouldfacilitateaccesspertinentmeasures urge allcountriestoacceleratetheprocessofratificationnewinternationalhealthregulations the developmentofnationalpreparednessplanstofightpotentialpandemics,suchasavianflu.We and adequatefinancingoftheGlobalFundtoCombat AIDS, Tuberculosis, andMalariaaswell Pan American HealthOrganization(PAHO), tocombatthesediseases, includingthestrengthening mechanisms, principallywithintheframework oftheWorld HealthOrganization(WHO)andthe employment withdignity. We proposetodevelopcrosscutting strategiesandcooperation discrimination againstpeoplelivingwithHIV/AIDSintheworkplaceandfavortheirfullaccessto avian flu,andotherhealthrisks.We committofightingthestigma,misinformation, and as wellemergingandre-emergingdiseasessuchHIV/AIDS,SARS,malaria,tuberculosis, We willstrengthencooperationandexchangesofinformationinthestruggleagainstchronicdiseases PAHO , The the IIRSAInitiative. implemented intheframeworkof with theintegrationplanstobe Belize. Zone betweenGuatemala and border zonesandtheAdjacency temporary migrantworkers inthe local populationandGuatemalan to animprovedlivingstandardfor access tohealthservicesaswell Project contributestoanimproved with capacityfor50beds.This studies inordertobuildahospital executed technicalengineering the MinistryofHealth,IOMhas operation agreementsignedwith for Migrants.Bymeansofaco- orities tohelpimprovehealthcare work withGovernmentauth- In Guatemala,IOMcontinuesto serve theCaribbeanCaucusgoals. between PAHO andIOMtobetter storm aboutprogramsynergies issues intheCaribbean;tobrain- and healthconcernspriority to exchangeviewsaboutmigration work intheCaribbeanandbeyond; institutional knowledgeofIOM’s had asobjectivestoimprovethe Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Recognizing the need for comprehensive social protection systems, we will examine the forms of unemployment protection most appropriate and possible for our respective countries. As part of a package of social safety nets for the unemployed, we also recognize the positive contribution of unemployment insurance systems in temporarily alleviating the socioeconomic suffering of individuals, reducing the need for workers to resort to subsistence activities through precarious jobs and facilitating their reentry into the work force. (Paragraph 35)

Social protection was the main tributory and non-contributory substantive issue addressed at the mechanisms. A new social covenant ECLAC session held in Montevideo, must therefore be formed in which Uruguay, in March 2006. In this social rights are seen as the connection, the Secretariat normative horizon and existing presented the document “Shaping inequalities and budgetary res- the Future of Social Protection: trictions are the limiting factors to Access, Financing and Solidarity”, be addressed. In other words, the which seeks to promote advan- ethical imperatives that underpin cement towards the construction a social rights-based covenant of more inclusive societies. This must be reconciled with existing document affirms that the issue of financial constraints. Emphasis social protection has now reached must also be placed on efficient a historic turning point, which calls resource use with a view to ex- for a change of approach in dealing panding the coverage and raising with the new world order and its the quality of services, especially for implications for national societies. the lowest-income sectors of the The main reason why solidarity- population. based social protection mechan- isms need to be rethought is that The proposals put forward in this the labour market has not demon- document are designed to build strated a capacity for greater in- bridges between social rights and clusiveness either through the policy guidelines aimed at making creation of decent job opportunities them more enforceable through or through the level of social improved access, better financing protection contributions. It is im- and greater solidarity. To this end, portant certainly to promote the study devotes particular policies to create more and better attention to some of the main issues jobs, but in the short and medium relating to social protection, such terms, employment cannot be as the reform and design of health expected to serve as the sole and pension systems, taking into mechanism for protecting the consideration both labour market majority of the population from the dynamics and the countries’ fiscal risks associated with a possible capacities. Programmes aimed at loss of income, health problems and providing support to society’s ageing. poorest groups are also examined. The analyses offered here are thus The structural changes reflected in intended to delineate some of the the current situation call for a fresh issues that should be encompassed approach to social protection by a new social covenant founded within a framework of integral upon the right to social protection. solidarity that combines con-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 53 54 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty decent jobs,andtheovercoming ofpoverty. (Paragraph 38) of nationalheritage,theenhancementdignityandidentityourpeople,creation culture initsmanydimensionscontributesto,amongotherthings,thepreservationandprotection We recognizetheimportantlinkbetween developmentandculturewe agreethatsupportfor actively attendedbygovernments, tration Network(RIAL),are Inter-American LaborAdminis- workshops, andactivitiesofthe the Working Groups,hemispheric (IACML). Indeed,themeetingsof Conference ofMinistersLabor activities oftheInter-American pheric levelthroughallthe tripartite dialogueatthehemis- The gue innational,sub-regional,andhemisphericframeworks.(Paragraph37) in shapingemploymentandlaborpolicies.We undertaketopromote andfacilitatetripartitedialo- We recognizethefundamentalanduniqueconsultative roleofemployers’ andworkers’ organizations occasion forculturalpolicy makers, Heritage”. Thiseventprovided the Trafficking andLootingofCultural on thePreventionof Illicit hosted theSeminar“Case Studies through CONACULTA andINAH, and thegovernmentofMéxico with theU.S.DepartmentofState March 21–23,2007,theOASalong protection ofculturalheritage,on On thethemeofpreservationand actions withinthesethemes. focused onconcretecooperative Priority Activitiesfor2007-2008” The Meetingapproveda“Listof of theMardelPlataDeclaration. taken primarilyfromMandate38 whose fourprioritythemeswere priate AuthoritiesofCulture”, of MinistersandHighestAppro- to organizeasuccessful“IIIMeeting Department ofCanadianHeritage OAS OAS workedcloselywiththe effectivelypromotes gue atthehemisphericlevel. progress intripartitesocialdialo- hemisphere, whichpermits and tradeunions(COSATE) inthe main businessgroups(CEATAL) advisory bodiesthatrepresentthe measures. TheIACMLhastwo consensus, andsettleonjoint various issuesaddressed,reach the opportunitytodiscuss workers, andemployerswhohave America on“Arts andCultureasa Ministers ofCulture Central sub-regional meeting for the 27 –28,2007,theOASsupported a identity ofourpeople,onFebruary the enhancementofdignityand On theprioritytopiccultureand protect heritagegoodsandsites. in concretecooperationprojectsto ral heritage,whichintendtoresult servation andprotectionofcultu- gional workshopsonthepre- first ofaseriesplannedsub-re- American cooperation.Thisisthe countries aswelloninter- with thismatterwithintheirown practical experiencesindealing American countriestosharetheir blic, BelizeandalloftheCentral Colombia, theDominicanRepu- justice-sector officialsfromMexico, administrators, andcustoms archaeological siteandmuseum Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Strategy to Prevent Social Vio- ditional Production of Honduras”. lence” hosted by the CECC and the In 2007 the President of the CIC government of El Salvador. This addressed the annual meeting of activity was aimed at sharing the BCIE Board of Governors on successful experiences on how to how culture contributes to job use cultural programming as a creation as well as to social counterweight to the attraction of inclusion. Further BCIE-OAS co- gangs to young people. In addition, operation on this topic will be the OAS and the CIC are working pursued in 2007. with the Ministry of Culture of Brazil to develop a “2007 Interna- On the transversal theme of Cultu- tional Seminar on Cultural ral Information Systems, on April Diversity”. This seminar will allow 19 – 20, 2007 the OAS along with experts and policy makers to the Ministry of Culture of Colom- exchange views and research bia and the Andrés Bello Agree- findings on such topics as globali- ment, will host an interagency mee- zation and culture. ting in Bogota, Colombia drawing upon the results from three OAS On the topic of culture and the sub-regional workshops on cultu- creation of decent jobs and the ral information systems held overcoming of poverty, the OAS during 2006 -- in Trinidad and along with the Instituto Hondure- Tobago (Caribbean sub-region), ño de Antropología e Historia Mexico (Central American sub- (INAH) developed a one-week region), and Chile (South American seminar on December 4 – 8, 2006, sub-region). The objective of the where participants were able to interagency meeting is to design a learn about the experience of the joint plan of action that can support Honduran government in the the strengthening of Cultural implementation of the program Information Systems in Latin “Rescue and Promotion of the America and the Caribbean. Artisan, Indigenous and Tra-

We underline the importance of the OAS Meeting of Ministers and High Authorities on Sustainable Development to be held in , Bolivia, in August 2006.We encourage the participation of member states and we call upon the OAS to continue to support the preparatory work necessary to make this meeting a success. (Paragraph 39)

In 2006, the OAS successfully sharing, and risk transfer arran- completed the preparatory process gements of natural disasters which for the “First Inter-American Mee- provided valuable input to the mi- ting of Ministers and High Level nisterial agenda and decision- Authorities on Sustainable making process. The meeting Development” holding 3 work- resulted in the adoption of a minis- shops on: integrated water- terial declaration on sustainable resource management, risk development and the Inter-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 55 56 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Jobs to Fight Poverty the ministerialthemes. which providedvaluableinputto tation withtheprivate sector, terial, theOAShostedaconsul- Also inpreparationfortheMinis- Development (PIDS). American ProgramforSustainable 2006 –2009PIDS”. and theStrategicPlanofAction the SantaCruz“+10Declaration Cruz tofinalizethenegotiationsof DC whichreconvenedinSanta Meeting ofExpertsinWashington, Additionally, theOAShosteda Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 57 58 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Training the Labor Force Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Training the Labor Force

We recognize the essential role of life-long learning opportunities, especially technical and professional training of our population. Investing in knowledge, skills, capacities, and abilities facilitates access and re-entry to the labor force, supports personal and professional development, and maximizes economic productivity and institutional strengthening. (Paragraph 40)

The goal of the OAS “E-SME Pro- prises (CONAMYPE) in the delivery gram” is to provide technical and of appropriate technical assistance professional training for Small and to SMEs and measure the use of ICT Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). throughout business operations. Participating countries in-clude: Additionally six courses, pre- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, viously available only in CD Guatemala, Nicaragua and formats, were made available on- Panama. In each country, pilot line for SMEs using resources from projects were carried out with the project. This substantially SMEs (120 in total), to improve their increased the reach of these courses ability to use and benefit from and the feedback from users to Internet services and information CONAMYPE, which is being used and communication technology as a guide for continued improve- (ICT). In Guatemala, Nicaragua and ment and course tailoring to SMEs. El Salvador, the tools developed in the framework of the project have In Guatemala, a course previously been adopted by the national designed by the Vice-Ministry for institutions responsible for SMEs was made available online. supporting SMEs, and will continue The course was tested on SMEs to develop skills and training to participating in the project and SMEs beyond the life of the initial continues to be operational to date. project. In Nicaragua, the Department for SMEs (DPYME) of the Ministry of In El Salvador, an entry-diagnosis Development, Industry and tool for SMEs was developed, to Commerce (MIFIC) executed the measure the use of ICTs throughout pilot through a national university, the business operation. This will Universidad Americana (UAM). guide the National Commission on The university designed a “Cer- Small and Medium Sized Enter- tificate Program (Diplomado) for

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 59 60 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Training the Labor Force technical cooperationgrants to Dominican Republicand new in Mexico,Panama,Peru and the comprehensive labormarket loans US$1 billion.These include development thattotalmorethan execution relatedtolabormarket cooperation grantscurrentlyin a seriesofloansandtechnical vancing thesecommitmentsunder The Bankisfulfillingandad- forms offormalinsurance.) within socialsecurityorother incorporating moreworkers reductions ininformaljobs(e.g.via addressing jobqualitythrough ing secondaryschoolquality, and to productivityincreases,increas- labor marketoperations,support commitments are:anincreasein market operations.Amongthe fully invaluechainsandlabor integrating humancapitalmore capital investmentintheregion, IDB tosupportinggreaterhuman pact fortheMajority”commits initiative. The“EnterpriseCom- Opportunities fortheMajority” employment withinthe“Building integrated labormarketsand The with theneedsoflabormarket. harmonize educationcurricula Brazil, MexicoandCostaRicato Education” currentlyexecutedby bor CompetenciesinSecondary CIDI)-funded Project“KeyandLa- for IntegralDevelopment(FEM- Fund oftheInteramericanCouncil input totheSpecialMultilateral The OAShasprovidedtechnical in Nicaragua. will continuetobeofferedSMEs Small Business”.Thiscertification SME OwnersintheUseofICT IDB hasincorporatedand markets, employmentand com- Expansion oftheBank’s labor markets operationthere. new phaseoftheBank’s labor labor marketinanticipationofa research studiesontheMexican Mexico aswellaseriesof ment serviceusingthecaseof gender impactofapublicemploy- evaluation oftheeffectivenessand completed thefirstcomprehensive policies andprograms.TheBank dations forfuturelabormarket instruments withrecommen- and effectivenessofdifferent Republic, assessingtheefficiency Argentina andtheDominican Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Chile, range ofcountriesincluding: programs financedbytheIBDina reviews theimpactoflabormarket market programs.Thisevaluation hensive reviewofBanklabor recently completedacompre- The Bank’s OfficeofEvaluation market interventionsintheregion. quality andoutcomesoflabor as technicalinputtoimprovethe luation oflabormarketprograms research andsystematiceva- Bank isadvancingaswellon As partofitscommitments,the the jobmarket. basic educationandrelevancyto the emphasisisontrainingand and competitiveness.InNicaragua, links betweeneducation,training its pipelineandactivitiesinthe mandates, theBankisexpanding the MardelPlataSummit creation inColombia.Inlinewith region, andqualityemployment CAFTA, youth traininginthe Dominican Republicrelatedto in CentralAmericaandthe support improvedlaborcapacity Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

petitiveness program is planned and, therefore, it is expected that under the upcoming 2007-8 the project’s implementation will programming and planning cycle. be completed in just two years. New labor markets analyzes for Paraguay are planned as an input In an attempt to establish closer ties to the new government. A labor with direct beneficiaries, CAF markets and employment di- approved its first loan to a mension has been incorporated departmental authority not within the Bank’s upcoming secured by the State. The “Proyec- “Economic and Social Progress in to Bogotá Una Gran Escuela” Latin America and the Caribbean [Project Bogota, One Big School] Report” on social inclusion for Fall (US$ 50 million) is designed to 2007. The Bank is advancing as well accelerate the investment efforts of on an evaluation and gender the Colombian capital to improve impact analysis for Chile, similar the quality of education for more to the innovative methodology than 60.000 students. used in the case of Mexico. In support of improved labor market Furthermore, CAF adopted a social and training programs in Hondu- investment shielding instrument as ras and Nicaragua, the Bank is a way of helping member states to working on technical cooperation meet their debt obligations without grants to support both these that hindering their social spending countries. plans. This instrument facilitates access for finance ministries to In keeping with this priority, in funding as they meet their goals set 2006, CAF launched the Moder- in sectoral social spending budgets. nization Project for Technical and In this frame-work, the Second Technological Education (US$25 Support Program for Social million), which, also with a terri- Investment in Ecuador (PRAISE II) torial approach allows an in- (US$ 200 million), includes a novative form of public-private strategy to ensure the availability linkage. The project encourages the of resources for the universal- creation of key partnerships ization of basic education and between the productive/business widening of access to basic health sector, universities and training services for low-income groups. By centers, civil society organizations the same token, the Habitat and the authorities, through which Program pledges funds for the to develop their own ways, housing policy efforts of the consistent with regional and local Government of Venezuela and realities, to modernize the technical collaborates in the design of a and technological services mechanism to facilitate perfor- available in the region. Demand mance monitoring (US$ 400 exceeded the expectations of the million). Ministry of Education of Colombia

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 61 62 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Training the Labor Force financing institutions,suchasdebtswapsforinvestmentineducation.(Paragraph43) governments exploreinnovativeformsofincreasingfinancingforeducationwithinternational institutions. We notewithsatisfactionthesuggestionofMinistersEducationthatour goals requiresasubstantialfinancialinvestmentbyourgovernmentsandinternational citizenry, fosterdecentwork, fightpoverty, andachievegreatersocialinclusion. Achieving these We willstriveforqualitypubliceducationatalllevels andpromoteliteracytoensureademocratic Meeting ofMinistersEducation,heldinScarborough,, August 10-12,2005. We supporttherecommendationscontainedinDeclarationandPlanof Action oftheFourth share andsupportefforts onthe Brazil) andtoaregionalportal to Rainforest toanurbanfavela in communities (fromtheAmazon Fi pilotstoconnectlow-income porting theimplementationofWi- nologies. To thisend,ICA issup- innovative andlowcosttech- workforce throughtheuseof the localcapacitiesofregion’s contribute tobuildandimprove a varietyofinitiativesthat in theAmericas(ICA few. revolution isstillaprivilegeforthe poverty line,theinformation the hemispherewholivebelow For millionsofmenandwomenin technologies inthetrainingofourcitizenrytoincreasetheirproductivity.(Paragraph 44) systems. We reiteratetheimportanceofincorporatingnewinformationandcommunication improve quality, strengthentheteachingprofession,andimprove theefficiencyofoureducation the advancesmadeinincreasingaccesstoeducationandwereiterateneedexpandcoverage, productivity dependsonawell-educatedandwell-trainedlaborforce.Inthissense,werecognize We understandthatthepotentialfor developingthecapacityofourcitizenryandattaininggreater Actions andresultsfromthisWork serves asTechnical Secretariat. and Culture(DEC)ofthe which DepartmentofEducation Committee onEducation(CIE)”,for Work PlanoftheInter-American became thebasisfor“2005-2007 the DeclarationofScarborough from theIVMinisterialMeetingand The recommendationsemanating The InstituteforConnectivity ) issupporting OAS identifying opportunitiesin which regional projectaimed at Work andEmploymentthrougha issue ofTelework, NewFormsof ICA hasbeenactivelyexploring the pation (Modemmujer, Mexico)”. ral Women onCitizenPartici- a “RegionalTraining ModelforRu- providing supporttothedesignof populations, inadditionto the needsofrural,indigenous with practicalapplicationstomeet that combineICTskillbuilding mala, todeveloptrainingmaterials “Enlace Quiché”projectinGuate- ICA alsoprovidedsupporttothe subject (WiLAC, www.wilac.net). Declaration ofScarborough. challenges ofimplementingthe review theachievementsand gena, Colombia.Thatmeetingwill from November14-16inCarta- Ministers ofEducation,tobeheld in preparingtheVMeetingof Presently OASisassistingtheCIE response toMandate25,above. Plan aresummarizedunderthe Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

the use of ICT will provide means As part of these efforts, ICA sup- and solutions to some of the ported the “1st Brazilian Telework challenges faced by certain sectors Congress” held in September, 2006, of the population (such as youth, and the “11th International disabled and elderly) in actively Workshop on Telework” held in participating in the labour market. Fredrickton, Canada.

We commit to support the improvement of the quality of the teaching of science and we will strive to incorporate science, technology, engineering, and innovation as principal factors in national strategies and plans for social and economic development, for the fundamental purpose of reducing poverty and generating decent work. In this vein, we support the Declaration and Plan of Action adopted at the Ministerial Meeting of Science and Technology held in Lima. (Paragraph 45)

The initiative “Engineering for the Institutes of Metrology (NIMs) in Americas” (EftA), which aims at the 34 OAS member states and is working with engineering ac- now preparing a plan of expansion creditation bodies to establish for the year 2007. In collaboration recognized accreditation systems, with the IDB, the OAS will soon was launched to improve the implement a large project to quality of engineering education in improve the quality of the me- the Hemisphere. Three workshops trology units in Costa Rica, El Sal- were planned to review the vador, Guatemala, Honduras, Ni- situation and make recommen- caragua, Panama and the Do- dations to improve the current sta- minican Republic. The OAS has also tus of science education. The been invited, in March 2007, to San- workshops were organized with tiago, Chile, to speak on the role of the participation of representatives the OAS in the reinforcement of of industry, government and aca- metrology and its importance in demia. Two of the workshops were the regional capacity building. held in Brazil and the United States in 2006 and one in Chile in 2007; a In collaboration with the Gender fourth one will be held in Argenti- Advisory Board (GAB) of the UN na in 2007. In collaboration with Commission on Science and the OAS and four OAS member Technology for Development and states, the Permanent Executive the UNESCO Chair on Women, Committee of “EftA” designed a Science and Technology in Latin project to improve the quality of America, the OAS has prepared a engineering education in the joint four-year program entitled Dominican Republic, , “Advancing the Integration of a Panama, and Trinidad and Tobago. Gender Perspective in Science and The IDB will be the funding agency Technology Policies and Programs through its Regional Public Goods in the Americas.” program. The OAS has also participated The OAS supports the National actively in activities in the region

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 63 64 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Training the Labor Force dressed duringaspecialsession. which genderissueswillbead- Washington, D.C.,inJune2007,at nology (COMCYT)tobeheldin Committee onScienceandTech- meeting oftheInter-American The OASiscurrentlyplanninga region, February2007. (CIDA), andotherentitiesofthe International DevelopmentAgency by theWorld Bank,theCanadian and PovertyReduction,”organized Capacity forSustainableGrowth Technology, andEngineering “Global Forum:BuildingScience, ciedad” November2006;d)the Ciencia, Tecnología, EmpresaySo- “Primer ForoIberoamericanode ,Argentina,withinthe organized bytheUNESCOChairin symposium ongenderissues June 2006;c)aninternational Knowledge-based Society,” May- vernance andDevelopmentinthe “Virtual ForumonGoodGo- Assembly, particularlythroughthe preparation oftheXXXVIGeneral the dialoguewithcivilsocietyin civil societyorganizationsduring the promotionandsupportofkey Women Scientists,”June2006;b) America andCaribbeanJunior Capacity BuildingforLatin for CareerDevelopmentand including: a)the“VirtualProgram and networksinthefield, exchanges withadvisorygroups that facilitateddialogueand care provision. achieve adequatelevelsofhealth meet theMillenniumGoalsand assist theregioninitsabilityto quality ofnursingprofessionalsto enge ofensuringtheadequacyand responding totheregionalchall- Research inNursing(LEARN),” titled “LinkageforEducationand a regionalCaribbeaninitiative (www.puntoj.com.pe), aswell asto HIV/AIDS fromyouthto a portaltoeducateonHealthand vative projectssuchas“Punto‘J’,” regard, ICAissupportinginno- of crucialhealthinformation.Inthis quantity, qualityandavailability that contributetoincreasethe HIV/AIDS), throughmechanisms emerging healththreats(suchas as aresponsetopre-existingand ICA partly financedbyMexico. on biotechnologythatwillbe and isdevelopinganewprogram Cooperation onAgriculture(IICA) the OAS cooperatesinthisfieldwith America institutionalcapacity. The increase theCaribbeanandLatin food safetyisfundamentalto Modified Organisms(GMOs)and and itsapplicationtoGenetically Cartagena ProtocolonBiosafety The understandingofthe America andtheCaribbean. science journalisminLatin program todevelopandsupport The OAShasestablisheda3-year Inter-AmericanInstitutefor is supportingscienceresearch Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

We will continue to increase investment in science and technology, with the participation of the private sector and the support of multilateral institutions. We will also intensify our efforts to encourage our universities and higher institutions of science and technology to increase their linkages and deepen basic and applied research and promote greater incorporation of workers in the agenda of innovation. We will facilitate the greatest interaction possible between scientific and technological research communities by fostering the establishment and consolidation of advanced research networks and synergies among educational institutions, research centers, the public and private sectors and civil society. (Paragraph 47)

The OAS, through its Special System (SIM), and fostering the Multilateral Fund (FEMCIDI), has development of standards and financed the multi-national project standard reference materials “Metrology for the Americas,” acceptable through the Americas. which is coordinated by the US National Institute of Standards and For further information relating to Technology (NIST), and centers on the OAS activities for this strengthening and consolidating mandate, please refer to Mandate the Inter-American Metrology 45 of the Declaration.

We recognize that the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights should contribute to the promotion of technological innovation and to the transfer and dissemination of technology, to the mutual advantage of producers and users of technological knowledge and in a manner conducive to social and economic welfare, and to a balance of rights and obligations. Therefore, we reiterate our commitment to their protection in accordance with the WTO Agreement on Trade- related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights. (paragraph 48)

The OAS supports countries in the procedures and institutional Americas in strengthening their infrastructure. institutional and human capacities in the area of intellectual property The OAS program for capacity- rights (IPR) so that they are able to building on intellectual property implement and administer trade has included support to Peruvian agreements, design public policies efforts to identify and prioritize in view of best practices and needs in the IPR in the context of innovative approaches in other trade agreements, dialogues with countries, and take advantage of the Colombian private sector and the benefits of broader markets and civil society in copyright and increased investments. The OAS related rights, addressing the has promoted horizontal co- challenges of modernization of the operation in IPR among countries IPR regime in Ecuador, as well as a in the Hemisphere to share the multi-country exercise to exchange practical experience of countries best practices and experiences on facing the challenges of adapting the implementation of intellectual their legislation, administrative property provisions in trade agreements.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 65 66 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group MSME as an Engine of Job Growth Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

MSME as an Engine of Job Growth

We will promote and support actions to facilitate the participation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in domestic markets and international trade. We will support the SME Congress of the Americas and encourage wider participation in this initiative. We stress the importance of opening new markets for SME goods and services. (Paragraph 51)

With financing supplied by the SME of development. The Corporation Development and Investment Fund also encouraged the generation of (FIDE), CAF continued to provide alternative SME financing me- support for capital strengthening chanisms by granting a line of and innovation in small and credit to Financiera Desyfin in Cos- medium-sized enterprises in the ta Rica and through investment in region in 2006. In the course of the Fondo Compass in Peru; both faci- year, six new operations were lities offer invoice discounting and approved, taking the total to 14 factoring services to this business operations in 10 countries. Through segment. CAF also supported the investment in funds in Brazil and generation of alternative energy Argentina, CAF increased its sources by approving a loan for a portfolio of risk capital investments project in Colombia to produce targeting technological and biodiesel from African palm oil. agroindustrial SMEs. It also This project would also have a provided support for the creation strong social impact by enabling and implementation of an Integral the reintegration of demobilized Enterprise Support Program in combatants of the autodefensas Costa Rica, which offers financing paramilitary groups. facilities to SMEs at different stages

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 67 68 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group MSME as an Engine of Job Growth training courses createdbyPro- through in-person andonline support tohundredsofsmall hotels FEMCIDI/OAS, provides direct financed withfundsprovided by to SmallHotelsinCentralAmerica, capacity, theProgramof Assistance In ordertosupportSMEbusiness culture ofhealthyeating. the population,thusfomentinga consistent withtheeatinghabitsof by microenterprisesthatare and accesstosafefoodsproduced ability toensuretheavailabilityof ments oftheprojecthasbeenits of themostnotableaccomplish- duce safeandnutritiousfoods.One technologies toenablethempro- areas, aswelltotransfernew women foodproducersinrural micro enterprisesmanagedby ment, andmarketingcapacitiesof and developthetechnical,manage- The projectsoughttostrengthen insecurity offamiliesinthatregion. to improvethefoodandnutritional temala, Honduras,andElSalvador) Areas oftheTrifinium Region(Gua- Women FoodProducersinRural for MicroenterprisesManagedby financing fortheproject,Support teral Fund(FEMCIDI),provided OAS and medium-sizeenterprise,the As regardsdevelopmentofsmall each nation’s characteristics,suchascooperatives andotherproductionunits.(Paragraph 52) the economyandtocreationofdecentworkbyproductiveorganizations,inaccordancewith We arecommittedtothefightagainstpoverty andinequality andwerecognizethecontributionto For informationrelatingtothe consequently increasingemployment.(Paragraph53) the objectiveoffacilitatingtheirentryintonewmarkets,aimedatstrengtheningSMEsand We willfosterthedevelopment ofentrepreneurialskills andtechnicalcompetenceofSMEs,with activities forthismandate,please , throughitsSpecialMultila- OAS hotels.com) gram to the mitted severalprojectpro-posals Program. TheProgramalsosub- additional activitiesunderthe 600,000 from secured acontributionofUS$ ding. TheProgramcoordinators environmental awarenessbuil- technology, hotelmanagement,and cations, useofcommunication quality ofservice,staffqualifi- of digitaltechnologies forbusiness Nicaragua by improvingtheiruse vador, Honduras,CostaRica,and ness ofSMEsinGuatemala, ElSal- project toenhancethecompetitive- Integration (CABEI) American BankforEconomic Korean Trust Fundandthe with theInter-American Bank’s To thisend,ICA,incooperation competence asenginesofgrowth. contributing tostrengthenSME's of innovativeICTtoolsasaway promoting theuseandintegration economies, that SMEsplaywithintheregion’s Recognizing theimportantrole tries. term adoptionbythetargetcoun- the wayforitstransferandlong- tinue itsimplementationandpave national agencies,inordertocon- ration. refer toMandate5oftheDecla- World Bank (www.centralamericasmall- onaspectssuchas ICA IDB hasbeenactively andotherinter- -FOMIN for , launcheda Central Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

skills development. In the project’s of the IDB in the “ICT-4-BUS first phase, ICA’s local partner, Cos- (Information and Communication ta Rica-based Comisión Asesora de Technologies for Business)” pro- Alta Tecnología (CAATEC) assessed gram, aimed at improving the the training needs, available competitiveness, productivity, and resources, and e-readiness of efficiency of SMEs in region by MSMEs in the five countries. In the improving their business opera- second phase, entitled “Lanz@”, tions and expanding their access to Fundación Omar Dengo has new ICT solutions and services. As designed and is implementing a part of this project ICA supported sustainable training program for “Terra Inka: Tourist Market Access” the development of entre- based in Peru, as well as the preneurial and citizen partici- Brazilian “SME Metasys” project, a pation skills in Central America complete ICT infrastructure solu- tion that provides full access to all ICA is working in partnership with services required in an ICT system the Multilateral Investment Fund for SMEs.

We will support the efforts that the multilateral development banks make with the micro, small and medium-sized enterprises as fundamental factors of economic growth and we will welcome the increased efforts of the World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), and other regio- nal development banks to create the enabling environment for strengthening such enterprises. (Paragraph 54)

During 2006, the IDB Group variety of economic sectors through continued to undertake several enhancing MSME access to tech- activities to strengthen the competi- nology, business services and fi- tiveness of the micro, small and nancing. Furthermore, through the medium enterprises (MSME) and to “Social Entrepreneurship Program increase the awareness of the issues (SEP)”, it empowered 16 initiatives that directly and indirectly affect for US$11.1 millions aimed at the sector. In accordance to this, the overcoming poverty by creating Group, conformed by the IDB, the business opportunities for poor Inter-American Investment Cor- micro and small entrepreneurs, poration (IIC), and the Multi-late- promoting corporate social res- ral Investment Fund (MIF), ponsibility and linking large embarked on 209 operations, for enterprises’ activities with those almost US$1.8 billions in Latin from small producers, to name America and the Caribbean (LAC). some. Among these projects, the Bank channeled 36 loan operations for The IIC, on the other hand, US$1.3 billions aimed at promoting approved 46 operations for US$337 a more favorable business climate, millions to directly or through a fostering financial democracy, and financial intermediary assist the enhancing the competitiveness of a small and medium enterprise sec-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 69 70 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group MSME as an Engine of Job Growth nities forthosedefined asthe directed togeneratingopportu- channel additionalresources launched in2006,isexpected to tunities fortheMajority (OM)”, “Initiative ofBuildingOppor- in theregion.Inthissense, quality oflifethosewhoinhabit effective mechanismtoenhancethe reinforcement ofthesectorasan activity, asitunderstandsthe emphasize itssupporttoMSME In 2007,theIDBGroupwill other activities. Microenterprise” (Ecuador)and organization ofthe“IXForumon through researchstudies,the knowledge disseminationefforts IDB Groupstrengthenedits In additiontotheoperations, tor inLAC. with thefinancialneedsofsec- Brazil andaRegionalone)tocope investments funds(Argentina, supported thecreationofthree financial servicesforMSME,and which promoteinnovative 12 investmentoperations,5of region. Besides,theMIFapproved microfinance developmentinthe channeled primarilytofoster lines ofactivity(US$8.5millions) the groupofbeneficiaries;and23 sharing oflessonslearnedamong for efficiencygainsthroughthe Clusters ofProjectswhichallows millions) tosupporttheMIF millions, including31(US$42 projects foratotalofUS$128.5 Lastly, theMIFapproved 111 among 13countries. remaining 44weredistributed regional programs,whilethe the projects(US$35millions)were tor andtheirvalue chains.Two of financing tomicrofinance institu- business owners,CAFprovides With theaimofsupporting small access tofinancing. solutions forsectorswithlimited tutions, developcustom-made public andprivatesectorinsti- directly, CAF, inpartnershipwith private enterprisesegmentsmore Also, inordertosupportthese and medium-sizedenterprises. turn, issueloanstomicro,small, development agencieswhich,in commercial banksandofficial loans toentitiessuchasprivate ally, theCorporationhasgranted their competitiveness. Tradition- tal, aswellinitiativesthatboost tions thatprovideaccesstocapi- region, throughbusinessopera- medium-sized enterprisesinthe support formicro,small,and implement astrategyofbroad In 2006, knowledge transferonthetopic. an increasingdemandfor propitious occasiontobetterassist same timewillconstitutea entrepreneurial spirit;andatthe malization andcultivating nology, promotingfirmsfor- facilitating MSMEaccesstotech- fostering financialdemocracy, MSME, whichprimarilyfocuseson IDB institutionalstrategyon excellent opportunitytoassessthe in ElSalvador2007,willbean enterprise”, whichwilltakeplace ment. The“XForumonMicro- ism topromoteregionaldevelop- seek fornewinnovativemechan- dissemination strategyandwill continue withitsknowledge mention thattheBankwill in theregion).Last,itissafeto majority (some360millionpeople CAF continuedto Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

tions and is the principal multila- ration contributed funds to the Fon- teral agency serving this sector in do Aval Bursátil [Stock Market Andean countries. In this con- Collateral Fund], which issues nection, 2006 saw a surge in this guarantees to partially collateralize sector in terms both of number of debt instruments traded over the operations approved and amounts counter by SMEs on the Bolivian disbursed. The portfolio of ap- Stock Exchange. CAF also approved proved loans closed the year at a Partial Gua-rantee Line in favor US$92.5 million, which represents of a micro-finance institution to a rise of 49.6% compared with the enable it to increase financing to a December 2005 figure (US$61.8 group of between 60 and 80 of its million). This growth stemmed SME clients with sufficient cash from several factors, such as the flow to take on further debt but inclusion of new clients, the insufficient additional collateral increase in the number of lines of with which to secure more than credit and the securitization of their outstanding loans and which, stock market offerings. At present, therefore, have difficulty accessing the corporations serves 36 fresh credit to allow them to grow. microfinance institutions in 10 countries in the region, the most Collateral inadequacy is one of the significant developments being the obstacles that limits access to credit incorporation in the operations for SMEs. In this connection, portfolio of clients in Uruguay and countries’ collateral systems, when the operations growth in Mexico. managed efficiently and sustain- ably, have shown that they have a Furthermore, 2006 saw the first core role to play in support of SMEs. time that loans denominated in lo- For that reason, CAF maintains a cal currency (two of them) have refinancing line for the National been approved, structured, and Collateral Fund of Colombia and disbursed. In 2006, capital invest- provides support for a study that ments in microfinance institutions would facilitate the creation of a were also given an added boost national collateral system in Ecua- with the acquisition of four new dor. holdings: one in Peru, one in Uru- guay, and two in Mexico. In relation In order to reorganize and give to dissemination of best practices, added momentum to its efforts in 2006 was a notable year in light of the MSME sector, CABEI approved the active participation of CAF in its MSME Support Strategy on May the sponsorship of events, such as 27, 2005, with the following lines of forums and workshops that en- action: 1) facilitate access for MSMEs abled analysis of best practices and to financial services; 2) strengthen trends in the area of microfinance the development of the financial at the regional and global level. sector that serves MSMEs; and 3) contribute to the business de- CAF developed various alternative velopment, growth and produc- financing mechanisms to serve tivity of MSMEs. In carrying out small and medium-sized enter- the first line of action, in 2005 new prise (SME). In Bolivia, the Corpo- MSME Support Programs were

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 71 72 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group MSME as an Engine of Job Growth from theGermanDevelopment exclusive intermediaryof funds In thisway, in2006,itwas the American MSMEsthrough CABEI. in providingsupportto Central external fundingsourcesinterested it tobecomethemainconduitof CABEI hasplayedalsoenabled The outstandingrolethatthe in low-incomesectors. institutions toserveentrepreneurs financing throughmicrofinance a mechanismbywhichitchannels notable inthemicrofinancesector, Its effortshavebeenparticularly funding tothissectorintheregion. has becometheprincipalsourceof Thanks totheseefforts,theCABEI poverty reductionintheregion. employment generationand its objectivestocontribute sized businesses,therebymeetings businesses, and3,897medium- microentrepreneurs, 28,717small providing supportto26,069 way, theCABEIsucceededin With thefundsitchanneledinthis total ofUS$223millionin2006. portfolio, theCABEIdisburseda given thereturnsonitsshort-term In ordertoaccomplishthisincrease, corded abalanceofUS$196million. of thepreviousyearwhichre- million, comparedtotheportfolio and reachedabalanceofUS$324 sector byatleastUS$100million, again expanditsportfoliointhis CABEI successfullymetitsgoalto Programs inSupportofMSMEs, and throughitsIntermediation For thesecondconsecutive year, institutions. through financialintermediary financing providedtothissector created inordertofacilitatethe Development Policy”which hasas The and AECI(US$1.5million). CABEI, KFW(US$1million in total), refundable resourcesprovidedby will commencein2007withnon- Implementation ofthisprogram earmarked forthisbusinesssector. the technicalassistancefunds MSME Sector, aimedatorganizing and FinancialCooperationforthe given fortheProgramofTechnical MSMEs, in2006,approvalwas network tofunnelmorefunds widen theCABEIintermediation with theneedtostrengthenand second andthirdlinesofaction Furthermore, inkeepingwiththe tral America. medium-sized businessesinCen- benefit morethan4,500smalland US$268.0 millionthatwould portfolio willbeamassedof five yearsitisestimatedthata According toforecasts,inthefirst sector throughinvoicediscounting. to injectliquidityintotheMSME ductive ChainsProgramdesigned of theCentralAmericanPro- action, implementationhasstarted also inkeepingwithitsfirstlineof In additiontotheforegoing,and be channeledinmid-2007. disasters. Thesefundswillstartto Hurricane Stanandfuturenatural funnel •10milliontovictimsof ness owners,andwithAECIto microenterprise andsmall-busi- to channel•20million engaged innegotiationswithKfW (US$24,8 million).Atpresentitis Agency (AECI)previouslyplaced Spanish InternationalCooperation addition tothefundsfrom Bank (KfW)(US$19.1million),in CDB hasa“PrivateSector Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

its central focus the promotion of butes to technical and managerial small and medium-sized enter- skills of the Region’s small prises. The “Caribbean Tech- entrepreneurs, especially young nological Consultancy Services persons and women, and promotes (CTCS)” network contributes to gender equity strengthening private sector capabilities by linking people who For information relating to the have business and technical ICA’s activities for this mandate, experience with businesses that please refer to Mandate 53 of the need consulting advice and Declaration. assistance. “CTCS” also contri-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 73 74 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Framework for Creating Decent Work Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Framework for Creating Decent Work

We are committed to building a more solid and inclusive institutional framework, based on the coordination of economic, labor, and social public policies to contribute to the generation of decent work, which must comprise: (Paragraph 55)

A labor framework that promotes decent work and reaffirms our respect for the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up. We shall continue to strengthen the application of our national labor laws and promote their effective enforcement; (Paragraph 55a)

Decent Work has been in the employment and decent work in centerfold of the agendas of the main UN system activities, and will be UN bodies and the European discussed and approved by the Commission, which indirectly HLCP and submitted for final affect aid-donor and technical endorsement by the Executive cooperation agendas in the Heads, including those of the IMF, Americas. The Decent Work Agen- the WB and the WTO, at the next da was adopted by the 2006 High- CEB session, hosted by the ILO in level Segment of the United Nations Geneva, on 20–21, April 2007. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)’s Ministerial Declaration, ILO and the World Bank agreed to pushing the Decent Work Agenda jointly conduct two initial country as an essential part of poverty studies focused on growth-em- reduction in the Millennium ployment linkages and related Development Goals. Full em- decent work issues. ILO is working ployment and decent work was the with the WB to help effective theme of recent session of the UN mainstreaming of the Core Labor Commission for Social Develop- Standards in the Bank’s operations, ment, and in the 2006 Spring and and is also cooperating with the In- Autumn sessions of the High-level ternational Finance Corporation in Committee of the UN system Chief the implementation of its “Perfor- Executives Board (HLCP/CEB). The mance Standards on Environ-ment Committee asked International La- and Social Development”, including bor Organization (ILO) to develop a joint program (“Better Work”) a “toolkit” for mainstreaming focused on global supply chains.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 75 76 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Framework for Creating Decent Work will becovered are:Brazil,Trini- poverty linkages.Countriesthat action focusedonemployment- January 2007toacommonplanof this vein, UN” objectiveintheUNreform.In ILO (DWCPs)” arethemainvehiclefor “Decent Work CountryPrograms Juan (Argentina).InBrazil, adia- completed fortheProvince ofSan lopment. Diagnosticwork was diments toprivatesector deve- was usedtoaddresslocal impe- countries (e.g.Brazil,Argentina) sub-national levelinlarge A newapproachfocusingonthe Juan (Argentina)jointedthe“BCI”. 2006, BelizeandtheProvinceofSan participating inthisinitiative, In additiontothe22countries monitoring). project implementationand agreement withstakeholders,and validation ofanalysis,actionplan Aide Memoire,diagnosticwork, “BCI” implementation(signatureof achieved atthedifferentstagesfor During 2006,progresswas climate. policies thataffecttheinvestment changes intheinstitutionsand through legalandregulatory pansion ofprivatesectoractivities pede thegrowth-promotingex- eliminate criticalbarriersthatim- is toidentifyandthenreduceor “Business ClimateInitiative(BCI)” The mainobjectiveofthe competition; (Paragraph55c) A businessclimatethatattractsinvestment,fostersnewenterprisecreation,andpromotes engagementwiththe“One ILO and UNDPagreedin IDB ’s other countries. Honduras, Bolivia,Colombiaand being negotiatedwithUruguay, na, Brazil,Panama,andarenow “DWCPs” areongoinginArgenti- others tofollow).Broader Costa Rica,andUruguay(with dad Tobago, Honduras,Chile,Peru, In 2006severalprojects were ment strategies. countries' privatesectordevelop- for theBCIaswell for the will beusedasbasicdiagnostictool Paraguay, Peru andUruguay)that livia, Colombia,Mexico,Panama, for eightcountries(Argentina,Bo- mic PerformanceSurveys(BEEPS)” the “BusinessEnterprisesEcono- partnership withthe In addition,theBankcompleted,in ness climateintheBahamas. of aroadmapforimprovingbusi- BCI isalsofinancingthecompletion the World EconomicForum.The dos basedonthemethodologyof in progressforBelizeandBarba- In addition,diagnosticstudiesare obstacles. plan tohelpovercomethose sector andwillproposeastrategic of Excellence(GCE)”inthebio-fuel from developinga“GlobalCenter at whatispreventingthecountry climate. Thestudyalsoislooking diments thataffectitsinvestment identifies keybusinessimpe- gnostic studyisunderwaywhich World Bank , Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

identified and are now in the Also, a project aimed at defining implementation phase. The and implementing a methodology Province of Mendoza (Argentina) for SMEs bank portfolio securiti- has agreed to the “Action Plan” and zation in Colombia was designed started to implement the prio- and is in execution. ritized actions, through a technical cooperation for enhancing business In Argentina, at the Federal level, start-up procedures and licensing. the BCI financed the “Peer Review In the Province of Buenos Aires, the of the Antitrust Law, Institutions Municipality of Moron is imple- and Policies” that was carried out menting a MIF project that will by the OECD and was presented as tackle bureaucratic delays in the case study for the Latin starting up and licensing for American Competition Forum co- businesses. In Uruguay the priori- organized by the Bank and the tized actions for the BCI im- OECD. Additionally, work financed plementation were included in the by the BCI was completed to update Policy Matrix of the Policy Based the business incorporation law in Loan. This operation was prepared the Dominican Republic and the during 2006 and will be considered new law was submitted to Con- by the Board in January 2007. gress for approval. In Honduras, an international consultant was Based on the “BCI Action Plans” retained to advice on Business- prepared for the Dominican Government Relations and prepa- Republic and El Salvador, two new red a report for the President of projects entered the pipeline in Honduras to develop a “Govern- 2006. In El Salvador, the “BCI” will ment Agenda for the Private Sector support work to improve access for Development”. Finally, a consult- SMEs to government procurement, ancy was launched to identify while in the Dominican Republic barriers to linking local firms in the technical assistance will focus on Dominican Republic to link to updating the firm registry system. export value chains.

A public policy framework for integral and sustainable development that can reduce poverty and inequality, advance human health, and protect the environment in harmony with international environmental agreements to which we are all party, including those that address endangered and migratory species and wildlife, wetlands, desertification, ozone depleting chemicals, and climate change; we take note, with satisfaction, of the upcoming United Nations Conference on Climate Change in Montreal; (Paragraph 55e)

The World Bank’s “Mexico Second mote sustainable development. The Programmatic Environment De- overarching objective of the pro- velopment Policy Loan Project” gram is to balance socio-economic will support the second stage of the development with environmental government's medium-term, protection and improvement. outcome-based program to pro-

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 77 78 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Framework for Creating Decent Work has implementedalarge number To carryoutitsmission,BioCAF for peopleintheregion. practices andabetterquality oflife to sustainableenvironmental genetic resourcesbycontributing sustainable useofbiodiversityand (BioCAF), inordertopromotethe created theBiodiversityProgram enormous biodiversity, CAF In thecontextofregion’s sustainability oftheenvironment. making thathasanimpactonthe the regionandsounddecision- which helpincreaseknowledgeof Geographic InformationSystem, computer tools,suchastheCondor initiatives, anddevelopmentof sistance forseveralenvironmental tries throughloans,technicalas- tal sectorinitsshareholdercoun- to strengtheningtheenvironmen- Corporation hasalsocontributed services forecosystems.The preservation ofenvironmental agement andconservation, specific activitiesinwaterman- Financial Institutions,andother tainable DevelopmentProgramin Prevention Program,theSus- Disaster RiskManagementand Production Program,theNatural Program (PLAC+e),theCleaner Clean andAlternativeEnergies the LatinAmericanCarbonand Biodiversity Program(Bio-CAF), der country. Theyincludethe ronmental sectorineachsharehol- well asstrengtheningtheenvi- of theregion’s naturalresources,as conservation andsustainableuse regional initiativesfornature promote andsupportnational vironmental programsthat ment aseriesofspecializeden- In 2006, CAF continuedtoimple- region, ingeneral,and ofthe strengthen thepositions ofthe views andhaveserved to tunity forparticipantsto share workshops providean oppor- foreign ministryofficials.The environmental, commercial,and country representatives,including workshops attendedbydifferent nization oftechnicaldiscussion publications, aswellorga- shape ofvarioustechnical support ofBioCAFhastakenthe and FreeTrade Agreements. The Convention onBiologicalDiversity tual PropertyOrganization,the Organization, theWorld Intellec- framework oftheWorld Trade relating tobiodiversityinthe between countriesonissues These includenegotiations different internationalforums. who takepartinnegotiationsat cipants fromshareholdercountries assistance toexpertsandparti- tiators, BioCAFprovidesvaluable program onsupportfornego- With respecttothefirstsub- to CAFoperations. species, inparticularthoserelated initiatives forecosystemsand and, c)Promotionofconservation biocommerce andbiotechnology; and geneticresources,suchas lopment ofmarketsforbiodiversity tal issues;b)Supportforthedeve- biodiversity-related environmen- negotiate trademattersthataffect and agreementstoanalyze participate ininternationalforums tors inshareholdercountriesthat Support forbiodiversitynegotia- subprograms, whichinclude:a) ships intheframeworkofthree cies, publications,andsponsor- workshops, seminars,consultan- of differentactivities,including Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

countries, in particular, at those United Nations Conference on forums or to determine ex post Trade and Development (UNC- courses of action. The most im- TAD). portant publications worth citing include, “Elementos para la protec- Among the activities carried out in ción sui generis de los conocimien- the framework of this subprogram tos tradicionales colectivos e inte- is the project Facilitation of grales desde la perspectiva indíge- Financing for Biodiversity na” and “Propuesta para un Siste- Businesses and Support for the ma de Certificación de Recursos Development of Market Activities Genéticos y Lineamientos Técnicos in the Andean Region. The project – Apoyo a la Negociación interna- was carried out in Colombia, Ecua- cional de los países miembros de la dor, Peru, and Venezuela from June Comunidad Andina en materia de 2004 to June 2006. Other activities acceso a recursos genéticos y cono- implemented by the subprogram of cimientos tradicionales”. support for biocommerce and biotechnology that had a great As to the second subprogram, impact include the direct assistance BioCAF has centered its efforts on provided for consolidation of market development through National Biocommerce Programs biocommerce and promotion of and the organization and spon- biotechnology. Biocommerce has sorship of forums to promote been defined as the array of investment in biodiversity pro- activities to collect and/or produ- ducts and services, such as the ce, process, and market native Biocommerce Investor Forums in biodiversity (species, genetic Mexico (2002) and Peru (2004) as resources, and ecosystems) goods well as BioExpo in Colombia (2006). and services according to prin- This program has also produced ciples of environmental, social, and important publications, in keeping economic sustainability. Bio- with its aim to raise awareness commerce has become globally about and promote the issue, in widespread and is protected by the particular, “Biocomercio en la Convention on Biological Diversity, Subregión Andina: Oportunidades the most important multilateral para el Desarrollo y Biotecnología environmental treaty on bio- para el Uso Sostenible de la diversity. Biodiversidad.”

Conscious of the potential of this The activities of the third sub- activity, BioCAF has taken a num- program have sought to support ber of steps, creating important conservation initiatives within partnerships and encouraging CAF operations. Thus, funds have synergies with different stake- been channelled to support holders in the region, including conservation of natural areas in ECLAC, the General Secretariat of different countries, including Avila, the Andean Community (SGCAN), Guatopo and Canaima National the United Nations Environment Parks (Venezuela); Tambopata, Programme (UNEP), the Global Amarakaeri and Titicaca Natural Environment Fund (GEF), and the Reserves, and Bahuaja - Sonene

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 79 80 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Framework for Creating Decent Work (Peru-Bolivia) andtheChaquilla - AmboróConservationCorridor National Park(Peru);Vilcabamba agriculture, aswellindrawing various groupsconcernedwith with theparticipationof convocation ofanationaldialogue Minister ofAgricultureinthe alternate delegatewhosupportthe a ministerialdelegateandan national teams,eachcomposedof components ofwhichare:(i) titutional process,thebasic work builtonaninclusiveins- as aglobalmultisectoralframe- updated theAGRO2003-2015Plan, Guayaquil 2005)adoptedand ministerials (Panama2003and hemisphere, attheirlasttwo ministers ofagriculturethe ral LifeoftheAmericas, Meetings onAgricultureandRu- Secretariat oftheMinisterial ment, withthesupportof agricultural andruraldevelop- In ordertoensureaframeworkfor higher agriculturalproductivity. innovations, therebystimulating resource managementservicesand agricultural, forestryandnatural broader accesstosustainable households andcommunitieswith for Nicaragua”providesrural Agricultural Technology Project The creation, andruralprosperity;(Paragraph55g) A comprehensiveframeworkforruralandagriculturaldevelopment,topromoteinvestment,job World Bank -funded “Second IICA , as in theAmericas. agriculture andruralcommunities for thesustainabledevelopmentof inclusive institutionalframework to supporttheconsolidationofthis In 2007, Meetings ofMinisters. Government; and,(v)Regional from theHeadsofStateand proposes newdecisionsneeded hemispheric agreementsand agriculture ministersthatadopts Process whichistheforumof in theframeworkofSummits a HemisphericMinisterialMeeting function isperformedbyIICA;(iv) delegates andofministers,which process anditsmeetingsof (iii) aSecretariatfortheministerial mitted totheMinisterialMeeting; draft ministerialdecisionssub- process andbuildsconsensuson the hemisphericnegotiation tariat, supportsthedialogueand proposals preparedbytheSecre- based onthesummaryofnational and RuralLife-GRICA),which, of theAgreementsonAgriculture Implementation andCoordination ministerial delegates(Groupforthe posal; (ii)ahemisphericforumof up asummarizednationalpro- lands] (Bolivia). Bofedales [saturatedpasture IICA proposestocontinue Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

We recognize the vital contributions of Ministries of Labor to the achievement of the objectives of the Fourth Summit of the Americas, “Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance,” and to the promotion of decent work and policies that encourage investment and economic growth with equity. We are committed to strengthening them with the goal of ensuring that they have sufficient national budgetary and technical resources to carry out their duties in an efficient and effective manner. We call upon our respective Ministers of Labor, working with employers and workers, to promote professional training and lifelong learning activities so that workers may adequately insert themselves into labor markets, to facilitate the skills and the knowledge development of workers and job seekers; to implement policies and programs, such as improved employment services and access to quality labor market information, that provide for the efficient functioning of labor markets; and to effectively enforce our national labor laws and regulations.

We encourage the ministers to continue bilateral and multilateral cooperation aimed at capacity building. We also take note of the Declaration and Plan of Action of Mexico and their role in furthering the objectives of the Summit. (Paragraph 56)

In follow-up to the 2005 Inter- Ministers will discuss items on the American Conference of Ministers agenda of the upcoming session of of Labor (IACML) and in prepara- the International Labour Con- tion for the 2007 IACML, the ILO is ference (ILC), subjects raised in organizing a Caribbean Ministers early May at the pre-IACML mee- of Labour Meeting (15 and 16 May ting in Costa Rica, and the Can- 2007, , Trinidad and adian-funded workshop in Trini- Tobago). This is part of a longstand- dad and Tobago (July) focused, inter ing agreement that the Caribbean alia, on the labour dimensions of Community (CARICOM) Secre- free trade agreements, as part of tariat and ILO organize the Labour preparations for the IACML, to be Ministers’ Meeting in alternate held in Trinidad and Tobago, 11-13 years. The Meeting of Labour Sep 2007.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 81 82 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Strengthening Democratic Governance

Accountability is a key instrument to achieve transparency and efficiency in the use of resources administered by our governments. Fighting corruption is a key aspect of strengthening democracy and economic growth. For this reason, we call upon states to implement the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and participate fully in the Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption. We stress the importance of the oversight role of legislatures, as appropriate, in the fight against corruption and the importance of promoting inter-parliamentary exchanges to encourage the development of national and international strategies to fight against corruption. (Paragraph 66)

Currently 33 states are party to the “Inter-American Year of the Fight Inter-American Convention against Corruption” AG/RES. 2071 against Corruption (IACC), and 28 (XXXV-O/05). To promote inter- states are party to its Follow-up parliamentary exchanges, the Mechanism (MESICIC). The first Office of Legal Cooperation has round of review within the ME- posted on its website country- SICIC framework ended in April specific legislation related to 2006. The MESICIC Committee of specific measures of the IACAC5. Experts subsequently published the “Hemispheric Report” which The OAS will continue to urge summarizes the results of the first those OAS member states that round3. MESICIC’s second round is have not yet done so to consider currently in progress, during signing and ratifying, ratifying, or which all 28 states parties to the acceding to, as the case may be, the MESICIC will be reviewed with Inter-American Convention respect to selected provisions of the against Corruption and to IACAC4. To promote both the IAC- participate in the MESICIC. The AC and MESICIC, the General MESICIC second round of review Assembly declared 2006 to be the will continue through December

3 The Hemispheric Report can be accessed at: http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/mec_ron1_inf_hemis_en.doc. To access the individual country reports adopted please visit: http://www.oas.org/juridico/spanish/mec_ron1_inf.htm. 4 To see the provisions selected for review for the second round please go to: http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/ mesicic_method_IIround.pdf. 5 Please refer to the country links on the far-left column of the following web page: http://www.oas.org/juridico/ spanish/Lucha.html. 6 To see a schedule of activities for the MESICIC second round please visit: http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/ mec_sched_2006.htm.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 83 84 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance Committee ofExperts. dations generatedbytheMESICIC implementation ofrecommen- project, andfurtherfacilitatethe continue theworkofpilot The purposeoftheFundisto an “Anti-Corruption Fund(Fund)”. U.S. DepartmentofStatetoestablish the OASreceivedagrantfrom December of2006.InAugust2006, ject fundedbyCIDAconcludedin commendations” Implement theCommittee’s Re- create anational“PlanofActionto guay, NicaraguaandColombiato individually withArgentina,Para- pilot projectconsistedofworking against Corruption(MESICIC).The Inter-American Convention ism fortheImplementationof first roundofFollow-upMechan- Committee ofExpertsduringthe recommendations generatedbythe support theimplementationof OAS Development Agency(CIDA),the the CanadianInternational In 2005,withacontributionfrom legislation relatedtotheIACAC. website ofcountry-specific Office ofLegalCo-operation’s adding totheda-tabaseon of informationbyfrequently will continuetofacilitatesharing parliamentary exchanges,theOAS 2008 mesicic_conf_est_parte_II_prog_intam_en.pdf Programtextpleasevisit: http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/8 ForacopyoftherevisedInter-American mesicic_cida_project_I_round_en.htm. 7 ForcopiesofthenationalPlans of Action pleasevisit: http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/ 6 beganapilotprojectto . Withregardstointer- 7 . Thepilotpro- cooperation continuing toimprovetechnical the recoveryofassets,and steps topromotecooperationon mation betweenstates,taking promoting exchangeofinfor- alia, strengtheningMESICIC, Corruption, whichincludes,inter ation intheFightagainst American ProgramforCooper- to fulfillthedirectivesofInter- MESICIC. TheOASwillalsowork both thefirstandsecondroundof Experts’ recommendationsfrom implement theCommitteeof Corruption Fundinordertohelp under theauspicesofAnti- working withOASmemberstates This year, theOASwillbegin MESICIC. including thestrengtheningof OAS anti-corruptionactivities, overall frameworkforcarryingout Corruption, whichprovidesthe Cooperation intheFightagainst Inter-American Programforthe reviewed andrevisedthetextof Conference ofStatesParties anism. Duringthemeeting, eration oftheFollow-upMech- the MESICICmettoreviewop- the ConferenceofStatesPartiesto On November20and21of2006, 8 . Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

We will strengthen the timely exchanges of information and the broadest possible mutual legal assistance in order to prevent, combat, and eliminate terrorism, prevent the international movement of terrorists and ensure their prosecution, and, as appropriate, their extradition in accordance with domestic laws and relevant treaties and conventions. We will cooperate to avoid that any individual who participates in the financing, planning, preparation and commission of terrorist acts finds safe haven in our countries. (Parapgraph 69)

In the “Port Security Program”, the the Spanish training center in OAS conducted assessments of Cartagena, Colombia. vulnerabilities in port installations and training needs for port security The “Airport Security Program” personnel in Belize, Antigua and experienced the greatest growth in Barbuda, and St. Kitts and Nevis, the last year. More than 600 officials as part of the emphasis on enhan- from 18 countries were trained cing security in the nine countries through 31 courses on special hosting the Cricket World Cup aspects of the security standards of 2007. Based on these assessments, the International Civil Aviation 98 officials were trained in Belize Organization (ICAO). The Se- on International Ship and Port fa- cretariat implemented fully in 2006 cilities in compliance with the the training agreement signed in international standards establi- 2005 with the U.S. Transportation shed in the “International Ship and Security Agency (TSA), provided Port Facility Security Code (ISPS)” scholarships to various par- approved by the International ticipants to attend training courses Maritime Organization (IMO). The offered by ICAO, and funded two contract for assessment and ICAO training courses in airport training was awarded for five security in Jamaica and Nicaragua. major ports of the Dominican In addition, the Secretariat pre- Republic in 2007. Port assessments sented its airport security program were conducted in January 2007, in a regional seminar organized by and 40 days of follow-up training the Government of Spain at its will be delivered in April/May. In training center in Santa Cruz, Boli- addition, bids were received for the via. Grenada project and a contractor selected in February 2007. A In July 2006 the OAS organized a training needs assessment for the regional seminar in Miami on port of St. George’s, followed by “Passports and International targeted training, is being planned Travel Documents and Systems of for the second quarter of this year. Issuance”, in collaboration with the Later in 2007, the OAS will solicit IOM, for 24 English-speaking bids for a port security assessment participants from Inter-American and follow-on training for Jamai- Committee against Terrorism ca, Guyana, and . In (CICTE) Member States. The another instance of cooperation objective was to improve capacity with the Government of Spain, the to detect fraudulent travel OAS participated in a “Seminar on documents and thereby enhance Port Management and Security” at border security and links between

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 85 86 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance in thenextfewmonths.Finally, the member stateswillbecompleted courses forEnglish-speaking of thisCDintoEnglishfor usein of terrorismfinancing.Translation February 2007onthespecifictopic new courseinBogota,Colombia, as mentionedabove,toorganizea Secretariats formedapartnership, OAS onmoneylaundering.Thetwo training coursesorganizedbythe been usedinthelastyear and bestpractices.Thismanualhas warning indicators,casestudies, different financingmethods,early that uniteslegislation,analysisof This constitutesapioneeringeffort organizations workingonthetopic. multilateral andinternational Member Statesandalsotoother Intelligence Units(FIU)ofCICTE distributed widelytotheFinancial terrorism financingwhichwas Spanish-language manualon production inCDformatofa Program”, theOAScontractedfor Under the“Terrorism Financing countries inearly2007. vulnerabilities identifiedinthose capacity-building courseslinkedto and subsequentlyconductedfour in Jamaica,St.Lucia,andGrenada, migration capacityatportsofentry CBP assessedcustomsandim- Department ofHomelandSecurity. and BorderProtection(CBP)ofthe initiated withtheU.S.Customs a newtrainingprogramwas Immigrations” program.However, in 2006under“Customsand implementation oftrainingcourses The lackoffundingprevented combating andcontrollingfraud. international cooperationin agencies, inordertopromote immigration andbordersecurity intelligence, policeandmilitary of included civilservantsin areas of crime andterrorism.Participants seminar relatedtocyber-security States ofAmerica,organized a with theSecretServiceofUnited In April2006,theOAStogether of terrorism. methods usedinprosecutingcases prosecutors onlegaltoolsand seminar totrainjudgesand the GovernmentofSpain,fora assistance, incoordinationwith and UNODCprovidedtechnical this program,theCICTESecretariat technical assistance.Alsounder Mexico, andUruguayalsoreceived Republic inJuly2006.CostaRica, workshop intheDominican in PanamaApril2006anda organized aministerialconference The CICTESecretariatandUNODC guay inFebruary2007. recently, theGovernment ofUru- Inter-American Convention—most member stateshaveratifiedthe Security Council.To date,22CICTE resolutions oftheUnitedNations the UnitedNations,and counter terrorismconventionsof Terrorism, theinternational American Conventionagainst commitments undertheInter- in ordertoadjustittheir their counterterrorismlegislation member statesthatarereviewing technical assistancetoCICTE (UNODC) providedextensive Nations OfficeonDrugsandCrime TheOAS,CICTE,andtheUnited Argentina. the CentralBankofRepublic terrorism financingorganizedby Buenos Aires,Argentina,on OAS participatedinaseminar Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

14 countries of the OAS. This Interregional Crime and Justice training is an addition to the efforts Research Institute (UNICRI) put forth by CICTE and Ministers seminar in Cartagena, Colombia in of Justice or Attorney Generals of February 2007. As a result, UNICRI the Americas (REMJA) to imple- has expressed its interest in ment an Inter-American strategy coordinating with CICTE and the for cyber-security. The Secretariat’s Secretariat in this growing area of highest priority under this pro- tourism security in order to gram is to help each CICTE Member facilitate sharing of information State establish a “24/7 National and experiences through UNICRI’ s Computer Cyber-Security Incident International Permanent Observa- Response Team (CSIRT)” and to tory (IPO) with other regions of the train those officials designated by world. their governments to work in these teams. The OAS is actively participating in international efforts against The “Inter-American Tourism and terrorism together with the United Recreational Facilities Security Nations and other organizations, Program (ITRS)” was approved as such as INTERPOL, the Orga- a pilot project by CICTE in March nization for Security of the Council 2006 at its Sixth Regular Session. It of Europe (OSCE), and the cyber has already filled an important gap security and maritime committees in hemispheric security and had a of the Asia Pacific Economic positive impact on the prepara- Commission (APEC). tions by the countries hosting the Cricket World Cup 2007. During the In order to promote efforts of the pilot project, 253 security officials CICTE member states to comply from both the public and private with their obligations under United sectors of 10 English-speaking Nations Security Council Re- countries of the Caribbean received solution (UNSCR) 1540 on weapons training. of mass destruction, the Secretariat formed a new partnership with the The OAS entered into a new part- United Nations Regional Office for nership with the U.S. Defense Peace, Disarmament and Economic Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Development in Latin American to provide advanced training in and the Caribbean (UN-LiREC), Grenada to security and law located in Lima, Peru. The enforcement officials in the tourist Secretariat gave two presentations sector of the host countries. This at a regional meeting organized by new course emphasized security, UN-LiREC in November 2006. In surveys, and risk assessments, inter 2007, the OAS will cooperate with alia, for hotels, tourist sites, UN-LiREC in the organization of buildings, recreational centers and several other regional events on the stadiums, and cruise ships. This topic, including a meeting for security program was presented scientists and academics on by the OAS at the United Nations implementation of UNSCR 1540.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 87 88 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance development withequityandsocialinclusion.(Paragraph71) states ofsocietiesthatofferallourcitizensmoreopportunitiestobenefitfromsustainable of Action,whoseprinciplesandobjectiveswillbedirectedtowardstheachievementbymember We offerourencouragementtotheOASindraftingSocialCharterof Americas anditsPlan the the region.Incollaboration with access togovernmentservices in that affecttheprovisionand citizen that addresssomeofthechallenges supported anumberofinitiatives physical constraints. limitations ofspace,time,orother policy-making cyclewithoutthe stakeholders throughoutthe collaboration amongrelevant to supportandenhancethe strengthen bytheuseofthesetools citizen participationcanbe ICTs, democratic practicesand When translatedtotherealmof the globalpartnershipofMonterreyConsensus.(Paragraph72) agreed developmentgoals,includingtheMillenniumDevelopmentGoals(MDG´s)andreflecting and supplementtraditionalsourcesoffinancinginsupporttheachievementinternationally domestic orexternalbasis,accordingtoeachcountry’s nationaldevelopment strategies,toincrease identifying innovativeandadditionalsourcesoffinancingfordevelopmentonapublic,private, efforts, contributionsanddiscussions,suchasthe Action Against HungerandPoverty, aimedat sustainable growthanddevelopment.Inthisregard,wetakenotewithinterestoftheinternational financial institutions,toensureaneffectiveuseofinstrumentsandresourcesneededpromote among ourcountrieswithintheOASframeworkandwithothermultilateralorganizations cooperation andsolidarity. Inthiscontext,we willstrengthenhemisphericcooperationmechanisms National effortstogeneratedecentjobsandgoodemploymentmustbesupportedbyinternational Charter oftheAmericasandits (CEPCIDI) topreparetheSocial Council forIntegralDevelopment Committee oftheInter-American and thePermanentExecutive Group ofthePermanentCouncil the activitiesofJointWorking has providedtechnicalsupportfor way inSeptember2005,the Since thenegotiationsgotunder- OAS , ICA hassupportedthe ICA OAS has initiatives inthefield,as regio- implement regionalprojects and mechanism toarticulate and region bypositioningitself asa gained animportantroleinthe Increasingly, the“RedGeALC”has solutions one-governmentissues. knowledge, expertiseandproven hemispheric spaceforexchanging countries intheAmericasa 60 e-governmentleadersfrom32 which bringstogethermorethan GEALC)” (www.redgealc.net), America andtheCaribbean(Red Government LeadersinLatin consolidation ofthe“NetworkE- Social Charter. with theconsiderationofdraft were offeredtohelpmoveforward body- andspecifictechnicalinputs requested bythepolicymaking tiations ofthedraftpreamble-as prepared toinitiatethenego- background documentswere Plan ofAction.Inthatconnection, Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

nal workshop “Sharing Canadian of ICTs as tools to strengthen citizen e-Government Experiences” participation and democratic (, Canada ,March 2006) governance in LAC, contributing to demonstrated. the regional consolidation of e- government strategies through the “Red GeALC” is now entering its dissemination of innovative second phase of operations with applications and the strengthening renewed support from ICA, with a of the Network. mandate to promote the adoption

We instruct the members of the Joint Summit Working Group, comprised of the OAS, IDB, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), PAHO, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), the World Bank, ILO, International Organization for Migration (OIM), Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA), Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), and the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), under the coordination of the OAS, to continue, through their respective activities and programs, to support the follow-up and implementation of the Declarations and Plans of Action of the Summits of the Americas, and of the Declaration and Plan of Action of Mar del Plata, as well as to assist in the preparations for future summits. (Paragraph 75)

In keeping with the mandates and process, and linkage between the challenges that come with its ministerial process and the participation as an institutional Summits process. partner in the Summits Process, IICA has embarked on an ins- In its remodeled conventional role titutional modernization process as a cooperation agency, IICA has that has inevitably required it to consolidated a new cooperation play two complementary roles: (i) model, in which its efforts have a new one, as secretariat of the mi- been redirected through the 34 nisterial process and of the minis- National Technical Cooperation terial meetings in the framework Agendas (prepared via a process of of the Summits Process; and, (ii) the consultation and dialogue with conventional –but renovated– role government authorities, the as an international cooperation private sector, and the scientific agency in line with the new and academic communities). In this institutional dynamic in the way, IICA is aligning its technical Americas. cooperation activities with the new hemispheric dynamic and the As secretariat of the ministerial guidelines issued by the ministers process and meetings on “Agri- in the framework of the ministerial culture and Rural Life of the process. As expressed in its recently Americas,” IICA helps to ensure the adopted Medium-Term Plan, 2006- continuity of the ministerial 2010, some of the priority lines of process, regional integration in the action for the Institute’s technical framework of the ministerial cooperation activities include

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 89 90 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance ment ofnaturalresourcesandthe food safety;sustainablemanage- protection andanimalhealth petitiveness ofagribusiness;plant promotion oftradeandcom- nities withaterritorialapproach. strengthening ofruralcommu- innovation inagriculture;and, environment; technologyand Declaration of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 91

Plan of Action of Mar del Plata Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance 94 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Creating Decent Work

To eliminate forced labor before 2010 by strengthening measures and policies, to enable those countries that have not already done so to achieve this goal. To this end, promote the creation of national plans of action with the support of the International Labor Organization (ILO). (Paragraph 1)

The ILO’s Member States of the mainly Decent Work Country Americas agreed to launch a Programs (DWCP) under national “Decent Work Decade” – an agreements engaging ILO, Hemispheric Agenda based on an governments and employers’ and agreed menu of 4 general policies workers’ organizations and other and 11 specific policies to be further multilateral agencies, as appro- elaborated at country level, using priate

To eliminate discrimination against women at work through, among other measures, the implementation of a range of policies that will increase women’s access to decent, dignified, and productive work, including policies addressing training and education and protection of the rights of women, as well as proactive policies to ensure that men and women enjoy equality in the workplace. (Paragraph 4)

In implementing the mandates of made on the integration of a gender the Inter-American Program on the perspective in the agendas of Mi- Promotion of Women’s Human nisterial level meetings, especially Rights and Gender Equity and Labor, Justice, Education and Equality (IAP), the Inter-American Science and Technology. Commission on Women (CIM), a specialized organization of the As follow-up to these meetings, the OAS, has instituted a process CIM Executive Secretary met with called “SEPIA”9 to promote and a Canadian delegation to explore follow up on recommendations opportunities in implementing the

9 Spanish Acronym for Follow-Up to the Inter-American Program.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 95 96 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work at workarelynchpinsofthe fundamental principlesandrights Promotion ofandrespectforthe area withthesupportof implemented bycountriesinthis Groups haveanalyzedstrategies OAS. ThemeetingsoftheWorking Ministers ofLabor(IACML)the of theInter-AmericanConference rights atworkinalltheactivities of thefundamentalprinciplesand The OAS, ispreparingaproposalonthe lopment andEmploymentofthe the DepartmentofSocialDeve- result, theCIM,inpartnershipwith Ministers ofLabor(IACML)”.Asa the Inter-AmericanConferenceof mandates ofthe“PlanAction as wellrepresentatives of 23 ministriesoflaborinthe region, attended byrepresentatives from (OHS) inSanSalvador, whichwas Occupational Healthand Safety Second Hemis-phericWorkshop on organizations jointlystagedthe Hemisphere. InMay2006,these worker healthandsafetyinthe analysis andadvancementof and the The (Paragraph 16) essential tofosterstrategicalliancesbetweenthelabor, health,environmentandeducation sectors. for allworkers,and,tothatend,ensureeffectivelaborinspectionsystems.Forthispurpose,itis To promoteoccupationalhealthandsafetyconditions andfacilitatehealthywork environments (Paragraph 13) develop, togetherwiththeILO,cooperationstrategiestobecompliedbymembercountries. To carryoutactionstowards thepromotionoffundamentalprinciplesandrightsatwork OAS OAS hasworked with hasincludedpromotion ILO to promotethe PAHO ILO . ministries. efforts tointegrategenderintosaid research documentonhemispheric The initialphasewillresultina into thepoliciesoflaborministries. integration ofagenderperspective collaboration withtheILO. advance thisissueinpermanent Conference, willcontinueto Technical Secretariatofthis Development (SEDI),asthe Executive SecretariatforIntegral and Employment(DSDE)ofthe Department ofSocialDevelopment accordingly, theactivitiesof in theframeworkofIACML; of ministrieslabor, asrecognized Occupational Healthand Safety (SALTRA), CanadianCenter for in CentralAmericaProgram Association, theHealthand Safety (Fundacentro, theChilean Safety tional healthandsafetycenters (CEATAL), colla-boratingoccupa- Committee onLaborMatters the BusinessTechnical Advisory Advisory Council(COSATE) and the Trade UnionTechnical workers andemployersthrough Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

(CCOHS)), and international agen- “Environmental Assessment and cies. At the event participants were Capacity Building for Trade informed about experiences of Liberalization in the Andean effective labor inspection systems Region Project” that addressed and cor-roborated the importance economic, social and environmen- of interagency partnerships for tal impacts of trade, including those achieving a positive impact in this affecting workers health in Colom- area. Furthermore, as a result of bia, Peru and Ecuador. the workshop, strategic lines of action were adopted on the Through a joint OAS/PAHO following issues: OHS management initiative to address implications systems; mechanisms to stren- of globalization and trade for gthen OHS Information Systems; environmental health in the and HIV in the workplace. These Americas, the OAS also provided lines will serve to implement and practical recommendations to guide the work of governments, improve environmental health at healthcare and occupational health the hemispheric and national level. and safety centers, and inter- The initiative looked at the rela- national agencies on each of the tionship between trade liberaliza- issues addressed, through measu- tion and contagious diseases in res adopted at the national, sub-re- resource intensive sectors and gional, and hemispheric levels. analyzed possible changes or (See, also, Mandate 33 of the impacts to public health and Declaration.) environmental degradation inclu- ding case studies of activities such The OAS has been working with as agriculture and aqua-culture member states of the region in the linked to trade and foreign direct development of a regional investment (FDI). approach for the sound manage- ment of trade related agro- The Fourth Summit of the Americas chemicals. The approach aims to gave the Pan American Health address import and export of these Organization (PAHO) the mandate chemicals, health and safety issues, to collaborate with strengthening occupational health and gender of the Strategic Alliance of Minis- related issues, among other tries of Labor and Ministries of member state priorities that will Health, Education, and Environ- overall benefit health and safety of ment, in order to advance the workers in the hemisphere. Millennium Development Goals and strengthen integration of so- The OAS provided member states cial policies in the overall in the Andean Region with capacity framework of development. In building and policy options to response to this mandate, PAHO protect human health and the organized the panel on Inter- environment and promote Sectoral Partnership at the 47th sustainable development within Directing Council last September, trade expansion. These capacity which was attended by the Chairs building priorities and policy Pro Temp of the Inter-American options were identified through the Conference of Ministers of Labor;

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 97 98 .Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work the MinistryofHealth Brazil, participation andsupportof:WHO, program activityandwiththe Health DayandasaPAHO inter- workers intheframeworkofWorld health andsafetyofHealthSector hemispheric initiativeonthe with thisissue,PAHO launched the (FUNDACERSSO). Inconnection pational HealthandSafetyCenter support oftheRegionalOccu- PAHO, theOAS,andILOin hold thisworkshop,composedof advisory councilwasformedto rence ofMinistersLabor. An Fourteenth Inter-AmericanConfe- commitments setforthinthe Americas intheframeworkof ministries ofthecountries tatives fromlaborandhealth which wasattendedbyrepresen- Occupational HealthandSafety, Hemispheric Workshop on vador tostagetheSecond OAS andthegovernmentofElSal- PAHO of development. make healththefoundationstone integrated andsynergicactivities MDGs initiative,which,through through theFacesandPlaceson ble municipalitiesineachcountry lar attentiontothemorevulnera- Development Goals,givingparticu- to accomplishtheMillennium hensive publicpoliciesthathelped support thedesignofcompre- again signedthecommitmentto OAS, andtheDirectorofPAHO ment. TheSecretaryGeneralofthe Ministers ofHealthandEnviron- Agriculture, andoftheMeeting of theMeetingMinisters alsocollaboratedwiththe workers andrelatedpolicies. juries ofprotectedandunprotected OSH statisticsonoccupationalin- systems); andtheconvergenceof linked withotherILOinformation subscribers in38countriesand Region andbeyond(nowwith1,617 tioners andresearchersinthe among technicalbodies,practi- (OSH) informationandexperience Occupational SafetyandHealth seminates andexchanges Network (RSST)”whichdis- cupational SafetyandHealth the Workplace”; thejoint“Oc- “Code ofPracticeonHIV-AIDS in including: theapplicationofILO Nations EnvironmentProgram), (and possibly cooperation withWHO/ already ongoinginter-agency scope forenlargingandimproving undertaken inthiscontextwitha Several activitiesarebeing collectives heretoforenotcovered.” protection forsectorsand occupational safetyandhealth illnesses by20%,anddouble occupational accidentsand 2015), toreducetheincidenceof goal that“withintenyears(by in theregion”andmadeitapolicy health apriorityforsocialactors “make occupationalsafetyand stressed asapolicyobjective:to Regional Meeting(May2006) Work Agenda resultingfromtheXV The and theWorld Bank. and CentersofExcellence,theILO, PAHO/WHO CollaboratingCenters ILO ’s HemisphericDecent IDB /MIF, United PAHO Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

To criminalize migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, effectively enforce national laws and regulations to confront migrant smuggling and trafficking in persons, and strengthen institutions and the training of professional staff to be better positioned to investigate and prosecute the responsible parties, undertake prevention initiatives, as well as protect and assist the victims of these crimes. (Paragraph 17)

The OAS helped organize the Mee- the meeting were introduced at the ting of National Authorities on VI Meeting of Ministers of Justice Trafficking in Persons, which was or of Ministers or Attorneys Gene- held on Margarita Island, the ral of the Americas (REMJA), held Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, in the Dominican Republic, April March 14 to 17, 2006, which was 24-26, 2006. the first hemispheric forum where the countries of the Americas met Because of the strong gender to deal with issues related traf- component of trafficking in ficking in persons. It specifically persons, the CIM Secretariat of the focused on the prevention and OAS will continue to collaborate punishment of traffickers, the with the Public Security Depart- protection of and assistance to ment to ensure that a gender pers- victims, the sharing of information pective continues to be integrated and experiences and on inter- into the work on trafficking in national cooperation. The con- persons. clusions and recommendations of

To adopt measures to encourage the full and effective exercise of the rights of all workers, including migrant workers, as well as application of core labor standards, such as those contained in the ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work and its follow-up, adopted in 1998. Explore ways for the ILO to provide technical advisory services to member states to help them accomplish that objective. (Paragraph 18)

Outside the Decent Work Country “National Employment Reports” Programs (DWCPs) framework in in preparation for the ILO's the Region, ILO’s studies on em- Tripartite Caribbean Employ- ployment and related technical ment Forum - , Guyana, cooperation efforts have also been Jamaica, Netherlands Antilles, promoted separately, including: , ; “Tripartite Caribbean Employ- “National Technical and Voca- ment Forum” - Responding to tional Education and Training Globalization: A decent work ag- Reports”- To contribute to the re- enda for the Caribbean in the gional discussion on reforming context of regional integration, 10- TVET institutions and accredi- 12 Oct 2006, Barbados (similar tation systems for improved skills forums were carried out earlier and enhanced employ-ability in for Central America and the Caribbean Labor Mar-kets – Bar- Southern Cone); bados, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago;

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 99 100

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work titutional capacitybuildinginthe hemispheric workshopsforins- report thatithasheldthree since itscreation,theRIALcan ministerial forum.Lessthanayear and activitiesoriginatefromthat (IACML) and,assuch,itsguidelines Conference ofMinistersLabor mechanism oftheInter-American is essentiallythecooperation and technicalassistance.TheRIAL through horizontalco-operation the ministriesoflaborinregion tutional andhumancapacitiesof which istobuilduptheinsti- tration Network(RIAL),theaimof Inter-American LaborAdminis- in mid-2006the In compliancewiththismandate, (Paragraph 19) Labor, withinthecontextofInter-American ConferenceofMinistersLabor(IACML). labor lawsandregulations.We willcontinuetopromote cooperationamongtheMinistriesof To continuestrengtheningthecapacityofMinistriesLabortoeffectively enforceournational relations, etc. working conditionsandlabor recent studiesonemployment, economic policies,aswellother on employmentandmacro- – comparingcountryex-perience llenge (Argentina,Brazil,Mexico)” “Facing theEmploymentCha- with ILO; Development Unit,PIOJ,incoop Report” preparedbytheHuman Youth totheWorld ofWork The “Transition ofJamaican OAS launchedthe and health(OSH),etc. cial security, occupationalsafety inspection andadministration,so- ment andtrainingpolicy, labor minimum wages,skillsdevelop- emergency employmentschemes, and indicators,crisisresponse variety offields,e.g.:laborstatistics cooperation activitiescovera DWCPs, ILO’s ongoingtechnical Both withinandoutsidenegotiated international agencies. boration withthe continue toworkinclosecolla- this mechanism,theOASwill in theHemisphere.Indeveloping strengthen laboradministra-tions nism oftheIACML,inorderto dialogue andcooperationmecha- The RIALwillcontinuetoactasthe nication mechanisms. web pagesandvirtualcommu- region, inadditiontodeveloping between laborministriesinthe Fund tofacilitatedirectcooperation has alsocreatedaCooperation labor rightsofmigrantworkers.It safety, employmentservices,and areas ofoccupationalhealthand ILO andother Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

To strengthen constructive dialogue on international migration, with a view to full recognition of human rights of migrant workers, reduce their vulnerable conditions at work, as well as advocate effective compliance of the principle of equality and non-discrimination at work in accordance with international instruments in this area and, thereby, ensure that migration is an orderly process that benefits all parties and boosts productivity at the global level. (Paragraph 20)

The OAS complies with the and its effect on the Haitian- mandates in this regard through Dominican population. The third the activities of the Office of the was on migrant workers in Costa Special Rapporteur on Migrant Rica Workers and their Families. Owing to the particular interest expressed In the course of the special sessions by several member states, the Office held in , in July 2006, of the Rapporteur decided to the Inter-American Commission address in its seventh progress received information on the free report, included in the 2005 Annual trade agreements and human Report of the IACHR, the issue of rights in Central America, an issue the obligation of the State of origin that also affects migration. of migrant workers to protect and ensure the human rights of the At the same time, the Office of the latter. The Office of the Rapporteur Special Rapporteur has continued determined that the protection of a to collaborate in and study migrant worker’s rights will petitions and requests for precau- frequently depend upon whether tionary measures received by the the diplomatic mission or con- Commission in connection with sulate has acted quickly and effec- migrant workers. tive with the authorities of the State in which the migrant worker is Furthermore, toward the end of located. November 2006, the Rapporteur, in representation of the IACHR, That is 122nd regular session, the attended the Workshop “Migrant IACHR convened hearings on the Workers: Protection of Labour rights of refugees and immigrants Rights and Labour Market and the situation of migrant farm Programs.” The event was held in workers. Ottawa, Canada, and organized by the Inter-American Conference of In 2006, at the 124th regular session Ministers of Labor (IACML). The of the IACHR, the situation of objectives of the workshop were to migrant workers and their families promote dialogue and cooperation was addressed at three hearings. among the Ministries of Labor of One was on human rights and na- the Americas on the protection of tural disasters in the hemisphere, labor rights of migrant workers and the effects of State actions on and on migration processes the population of migrant workers. undertaken by States according to The second was on the situations their national legal systems; to created by Immigration Law No. share experiences and programs on 285-04 in the Dominican Republic, the promotion and protection of

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 101 102

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work Declaration. please refertoMandate26ofthe the OASactivitiesforthismandate, For furtherinformationrelatingto that connection. priorities, andgranthearingsin analyze situationsidentifiedas and casesrelatingtothistopic, the studyandreviewofpetitions will devoteparticularattentionto At itsnextsession,theCommission this topic. future inter-Americanactionon learned andkeyguidelinesfor program; and,toidentifylessons temporary foreignworkers special emphasisonCanada’s and labormarketprograms,with labor rightsofmigrantworkers conjunction withanumberofother provide on-linedata.Working in additional genderindicatorsand ECLAC statistics disaggregatedbysex. mendations onthegatheringof Technology, madespecificrecom- Education, JusticeandScience Meetings intheareasofLabor, nization ofthe Women (CIM) The I ce statisticsparticularlyfocusedonlabormattersbrokendownbygenderandrace.(Paragraph22) Economic CommissionforLatinAmericaandtheCaribbean(ECLAC),nationalcapacitiestoprodu- To strengthen,incooperationwiththeInter-American Commission ofWomen (CIM),ILO,andthe Tobago, andTurks andCaicos, andrepresentativesofobserver governments andregionalinstitutions. Jamaica, TheNetherlands Antilles, St.KittsandNevis, Lucia, St.VincentandGrenadines,Suriname,Trinidad and Belize, BritishVirginIslands,, TheCaymanIslands,,DominicanRepublic,Grenada, Guyana,Haiti, 10 Participants includedgovernmentofficialsandexperts fromAntiguaandBarbuda,,TheBahamas,Barbados, nter-American Commissionof hascontinuedtogenerate , aspecializedorga- OAS , atMinisterial trafficking inpersons. preventing irregularmigrationand strengthening bordersecurityand movement ofpersonswhile to health,andfacilitatingthe professionals andmigrant’s access tion data;braindrainofhealth migrant remittancesandmigra- development link,including discussed themigrationand WB, BCIE,andOECD.Participants experts, suchECLAC,PAHO, the international organizationsand kind supportfromregionaland gees, andMigration,thein- ment, BureauofPopulation,Refu- the UnitedStatesStateDepart- ment oftheNetherlandsAntilles, financial supportoftheGovern- sixth RegionalSeminar In theCaribbean,IOMorganizedits fulfilment ofallthegoals. account genderequityinthe proposed byECLACtotakeinto nal andcomplementaryindicators Development Goalswithadditio- fulfilment oftheMillennium of nationalreportsformonitoring view toenrichingthesecondround use ofgenderindicatorswitha guidelines fortheproductionand has preparedtechnicalassistance Nations system,theCommission organizations oftheUnited 10 ,withthe Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Under the project “Information censuses with an approach that System for Indigenous Peoples helps to identify ethnic, genera- (SIPI)”, promoted by the Fund for tional and gender-based gaps; (2) the Development of the Indigenous to validate the conventional in- Peoples of Latin America and the dicators proposed as well as to Caribbean, ECLAC has developed implement progressively a system the System of Sociodemographic of indicators in areas deemed Indicators for Indigenous Popula- relevant for the indigenous peoples tions and Peoples (SISPPI). These themselves through a participatory mechanisms are geared to contri- process; and (3) to disseminate buting to access to quality infor- SISPPI to indigenous organizations, mation resources for and about statistical institutes and other indigenous peoples. The project is relevant agencies at the national designed to strengthen intercultu- and international level. ral dialogue between the main actors, to increase the visibility of ECLAC has started a new project the issue and social heritage of entitled “Improving Caribbean indigenous peoples and lastly to Household Surveys,” this project enable and guarantee their effective aims to improve the comparison of participation in the design of social statistics produced in the development policies and strategies Caribbean region through house- and in decision-making. This hold surveys. It also seeks to ensure initiative comes in response to the that the region’s statistics can be demand of indigenous organiza- compared according to inter- tions and government agencies for national standards. National relevant, reliable, timely and Statistical Offices and Agencies quality information on the from 15 Caribbean countries will economic, social and cultural benefit from the project that will rights of indigenous peoples. be implemented over a two year period. SISPPI is based on existing and available census information and The measures adopted by PAHO its overall objective is to design and include a review of available data disseminate a support tool for the and relational research on health/ adoption of public policies geared poverty, urban and rural areas, to diminishing ethno-racial in- health/poverty/ethnicity (afro- equities and fostering the descendants and indigenous development of indigenous peoples. populations), identification of needs To this end, the specific goals and action guidelines, and esta- established are as follows: (1) to blishment of partnerships with the develop SISPPI using census date, Latin American and Caribbean encompassing the population Demographics Center (CELADE) dimensions and sociocultural areas and the PAHO Technical Units. included in population and housing

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 103 104

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Creating Decent Work Their Families” Including MigrantWorkers and Human RightsofMigrants, Promotion andProtectionofthe American Programforthe for theelaborationof“Inter- input intothepreparatoryprocess organization ofthe of Women (CIM) The of thethirty-fifthperiodregularsessionsGeneral Assembly. (Paragraph 23) implementation oftheInter-American programadoptedbyresolution AG/RES. 2141(XXXV-O/05) To requestthattheOrganizationof American States(OAS)continueitstechnicalsupportinthe 11 AG/RES. 2141(XXXV-O/05) International ResearchandTrai- such as on workdonebyorganizations, In addition,researchwascompiled proposals onwaystosupportit. program’s approval andthenew activities conductedsincethe a sharingofbestpracticesand In addition,thismeetingprovided entities oftheOASbythisprogram. assigned tothevariousorgansand plementation ofthemandates Political Affairs,ontheim- Committee onJuridicaland of thePermanent Council’s presentation attheSpecialMeeting CIM wasalsoinvitedtomakea Inter-American Commission ECLAC , theUnitedNations 11 .InMarch2006, , aspecialized OAS , provided Declaration. please refertoMandate26ofthe OAS activitiesforthismandate, For furtherinformationrelatingto the issue. programs andplansofactionon responsible forimplementing collaboration withtheorgans CIM Delegatestofacilitatetheir of migrantswillbeavailabletothe information onthehumanrights against women.Asaresult, hold, andtocombatviolence especially womenheadsofhouse- migrants andtheirfamilies, provisions toprotectwomen policies developedwillinclude expected thatprogramsand migration issues.Asaresult,itis the OASorgansthataddress technical assistanceongenderto CIM/OAS, willcontinuetoprovide issues ofgenderandmigration. Status ofWomen (CSW)onthe United NationsCommissiononthe of Women (IN-STRAW), andthe ning InstitutefortheAdvancement Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 105 106

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

Growth with Employment

To encourage investment in basic infrastructure having a high positive impact on employment in order to promote growth and productive employment. (Paragraph 28)

In relation to this mandate, the of social services, (b) raise human World Bank-funded “Third Labor capital formation, (c) improve Reform and Social Development employability, and (d) enhance Policy Loan Project (LaRSDPL III) monitoring and evaluation systems for Colombia” will: (a) strengthen for better transparency, social Colombia's social protection oversight, and results management system and improve the delivery in the social sectors.

To favor the research, development, and adoption of renewable and efficient energy sources and the deployment of technology for cleaner and more efficient energy sources, including among them, those that foster the intensive use of labor, which, together with the promotion of sustainable development, and addressing climate change concerns, permit the reduction of poverty. (Paragraph 33)

Work in this area includes the World Programmatic Reform Loan for Bank’s “Rural Electrification Environmental Sustainability. Its Project for Honduras” which aims “Mainstreaming Market-Based to achieve greenhouse gas (GHG) Instruments for Environmental reductions through the reduction Management Project in Costa Rica” of policy, informational, financing enhances the provision of en- and institutional capacity barriers vironmental services significant at that currently hinder renewable the national and global levels, and energy technology (RET) dissemin- secures their long-term sus- ation and market development. tainability through a scaled-up The “Brazil Environ-mental payment for environ-mental Sustainability Agenda Technical services system in Costa Rica. The Assistance Project” supports the “Brasilia Environ-mentally Sus- Government on advancing the pace tainable Project” will meet the of reforms supporting the growing needs of the Federal

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 107 108

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment mentation ofagreements atthe process and,inparticular, imple- the progressofministerial coordinating allaspectsto enable support toMinisterialDelegates by The bursements totalingUS$764 tutions. AsofDecember2006,dis- tal PollutionandRisk,Insti- Renewable Sources,Environmen- Energy Integration,Searchfor versification ofEnergySources, and RationalEnergyUse,Di- phasis arethefollowing:Efficient next tenyears.Theareasofem- finance US$5,200millionoverthe million, ofwhich of approximatelyUS$13,124 and itincludesaninvestmentplan energy sectorinCentralAmerica support thedevelopmentof 2005-2010 wasdevelopedto the InvestmentStrategyandPlan In ordertocarryoutthismandate, services. vision ofwaterandsanitation successful andsustainablepro- monstrate replicablemodelsof level; andtodevelopde- tor policiesatthefederalandstate tor throughstrengtheningthesec- water supplyandsanitationsec- to improvetheefficiencyofMexico's Assistance ProjectforMexico”aims Sanitation SectorTechnical “Modernization oftheWater and water resources.Lastly, theBank’s inequalities andensurequality politan Regiontoreduceregional District andtheBrasiliaMetro- Rural LifeintheAmericas.(AGRO2003-2015Plan). (Paragraph 35) To supporttheimplementation oftheMinisterial Agreement ofGuayaquil in2005, Agriculture and IICA providestechnical CABEI plansto by the gies Program,whichisco-financed allocated totheRenewableEner- million. Thefundsaretobe cooperation agreementworth•8 of Germanynegotiatedafinancial CABEI andtheFederalgovernment In theareaofrenewable energy, 2007. million earmarkedforapprovalin sector, withafurtherUS$600 erent programsandprojectsinthe million hadbeenapprovedfordiff- 200 MWgenerationprojects. technologies, throughapprovalfor encouraging theuseofnew structuring forenergyprojects, its leadershipintheareaoffinance The CABEIintendstoconsolidate in theregion. make availabletofinancialentities initiatives, thattheCABEIwill funds forrenewableenergy mechanisms, suchasguarantee the implementationoffinance tral America,whichprovidesfor ments inRenewableEnergyCen- the projectAcceleratingInvest- the UNDP/GEF, CABEIwillinitiate Furthermore, inconjunctionwith efficiency andbiofueldevelopment. lar onissuessuchasenergy Hemispheric Ministerial Agree- three strategiclinesofaction ofthe countries tomoveforward with rial process,theIICAhashelped the ticular, inthe2006-2007ministe- national andregionallevel.Inpar- IDB andcentersinparticu- Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

ment of Guayaquil 2005: (i) formación para el Seguimiento y promotion of a national policy for Evaluación de Estrategias y Políti- agriculture and rural life; (ii) cas para la Agricultura y la Vida development of an information Rural: Una Propuesta Gradual y system for follow-up and Modular” [Information System to evaluation of national policy, regio- Monitor and Evaluate Strategies nal policy, and the AGRO Plan; and, and Policies for Agriculture and (iii) adjustment of the regional Rural Life: A Gradual and Modular strategy to the hemispheric Proposal]. The IICA also set up a framework. In order to guide and web site (www.iica.int/cumbres), assist the countries in the im- which contains complete exhaus- plementation and follow-up of tive information on the ministerial these agreements, the IICA has process since its inception in 2001 prepared and distributed three and, more specifically, its progress technical documents: “Mejorando in the 2006-2007 period. la Efectividad de las Estrategias y Políticas: Un Instrumento para Over the remainder of 2007, the Analistas, Decidores Públicos y Lí- IICA will continue to provide deres de Grupos de Interés de la support to countries to ensure that Agricultura y Vida Rural” [Making efforts to implement the mandate Strategies and Policies More contained in paragraph 35 con- Effective: A Tool for Analysts, Go- tinue until the Fourth Ministerial vernment Decision-Makers, and to be held in the city of Antigua, Interest Group Leaders in Guatemala in the last week in July Agriculture and Rural Life]; “Pro- of this year. Based on the new moción de una Política de Estado Hemispheric Ministerial Agree- para la Agricultura y la Vida Ru- ment of Guatemala 2007 that the ral: Notas Introductorias para un ministers will adopt in the last Avance Gradual Inclusivo” [Pro- week of July this year, the necessary motion of Public Policy for Agri- changes will be made to continue culture and Rural Life: Intro- to support implementation of the ductory Notes for Gradual Inclu- aforesaid mandate. sive Progress]; and “Sistema de In-

To encourage the exchange of experience with regard to the role of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises and access to procurement programs, in the creation of productive jobs, development of competitive skills, reduction of the informal sector, and the fight against poverty. (Paragraph 36)

In encouraging the exchange of in the region, particularly in their experiences with regard to the role use of Information and Communi- of Small and Medium Sized cation Technologies, as well as Enterprises (SMEs), three working international best practices in the documents have been developed support of SMEs through on line and distributed by the OAS that tools and ICTs. assess the current situation of SMEs

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 109 110

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment information, evaluation, training policies, In relationtoSMEsand public to thisimportantmarket. SMEs, whichhavelimiteditsaccess overview ofthebarriersfacedby activity providedacomprehensive support inmemberstates.This ment andthoseresponsibleforSME in chargeofgovernmentprocure- seminar includedboththeofficers participants oftheworkshop- access tothemarketforSMEs.The strategies thatwouldfacilitate discuss lessonslearnedand Mexico toexchangegoodpractices, workshop-seminar washeldin ment ProgramoftheOAS,a American GovernmentProcure- In addition,undertheInter- included: Americas. Thesespecificactivities the OASandCongressof vernment ProcurementProgramof such astheInter-AmericanGo- institutions andrelatedprograms, exchange ofexperiencesamong meetings, whichallowedforthe region participatedininternational responsible forSMEsupportinthe Program, NationalDirectors In theframeworkofthisSME November 2006 the E-SMEProgram,CostaRica, Final MeetingoftheIIPhase 2006 Development, Panama,October Strategies forE-SME Inter-American Seminaron Mexico, May2006 Government Procurement, Participation ofSMEsin Seminar ontheCompetitive Inter-American Workshop- Mexico, May2006 II SMECongressoftheAmericas, ECLAC hascarriedout lación depolíticas”(Spanish only), Políticas dearticulacióny articu- les enAméricaLatinayel Caribe: nes entornoalosrecursos natura- published thebook“Aglomeracio- Technical Cooperation,ECLAC by theGermanAgencyfor In thecontextofaprojectsupported technical assistanceexperiences. was preparedonthebasisof creation ofhorizontalnetworks in theregion;amanualfor support experiencesin12countries the successandfailureofnetwork definition andanalysisoffactorsin networks, ECLACworkedonthe clusters. Asforactivitiestosupport on themanagementoflocal of a400-hourpostgraduatecourse coordinated theimplemen-tation (SEBRAE), ECLACdesignedand Small BusinessSupportService ration withtheBrazilianmicroand na). InBrazil,in2005,collabo- Development (FUNDES,Argenti- ation forEconomicandSocial port programmesoftheFound- assess theimpactofSMEsup- tative andqualitativemethodto ECLAC alsodevelopedaquanti- SMEs atthenationalandlocallevel. of employmentpoliciesbasedon mation shouldbeusedinthedesign Security. In2006-2007thisinfor- Labour, Employment andSocial Dynamics oftheMinistry for EmploymentandBusiness by size,knownastheObservatory destruction ofjobsandenterprises, for analysisofthecreationand information systeminArgentina also supportedthecreationofan the regionatendof1990s.It support policiesin14countriesof of manufacturingSMEsand completed asurveyofthesituation and supportactivities.Ithas Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

which shows the steps to be taken will focus on public and private in order to initiate or strengthen sector cooperation, and the de- such clusters. The experience now finition of the most important being gained will be used in the aspects of the design of network preparation of a second manual, support strategies. aimed at local governments, which

To establish mechanisms to exchange good practices and innovative approaches for the development of micro, small, and medium-sized companies, such as the Small and Medium-sized enterprise Congress of the Americas, and foster greater public and private participation in this Congress. (Paragraph 37)

National Directors responsible for During the Inter-American Seminar SME support participated in the on Strategies for E-SME Develop- Second SME Congress of the ment held in Panama, the 11 Americas held in Mexico. The member states represented agreed Steering Committee of the SME on the necessity to establish an Congress recognized the import- Inter-American Network for E-SME ance of the Program for the region Development, as a mechanism to and agreed on continuing co- promote the exchange of good operation and to promote the practices and cooperation in the development of an Inter-American subject (i.e. Brazil, Costa Rica, Co- E-SME Program. lombia, Chile, Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.).

To substantially improve the capacity at the national, regional, and hemispheric levels for risk mitigation; to implement cost-effective and robust early warning systems, and to enhance disaster recovery and reconstruction capabilities in collaboration with relevant international and regional institutions. To explore with relevant international and regional institutions the coordinated development of effective public-private catastrophic risk insurance systems. (Paragraph 39)

In response to this mandate, the The “Grenada Hurricane Resilient OAS has been working to enhance Home Reconstruction Project” aims disaster recovery and recons- at supporting information gather- truction capabilities in collabo- ing and capacity building and trai- ration improve the capacity for risk ning necessary for the effective mitigation; and to implement cost- implementation of a hazard- effective and robust early warning resistant home reconstruction systems through the following program in Grenada. Other initiatives: activities that are being undertaken

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment development, generateemployment, andfightpoverty. (Paragraph 40) for nationalandregionalinfrastructureprojects,inparticular thosedesignedtopromotesustainable To fostermultilateralcooperationfromdevelopment banksinordertoidentifyandprovidefinancing Directing Councilof sented anddiscussedatthe47th Americas. Thereportwaspre- preparedness andresponseinthe the statusofhealthdisaster first timeofaprogressreporton 2006 sawthepreparationfor tive enforcement. standards, andensuretheireffec- propriate buildingcodesand tor stakeholderstoadoptap- capacity ofpublicandprivate-sec- education sectors,bybuildingthe related activitiesinthepublic Panama, tostrengthengovernance- la, Honduras,Nicaragua,and Costa Rica,ElSalvador, Guatema- mented withsupportofCIDAin Sector RetrofitProgram”imple- The “CentralAmericaEducation insurers. insurance coveragebylocal banks, creditriskcoverage,and arrangements forlendingbylocal sultations oninstitutional project include:preliminarycon- under thistechnicalassistance well withbothgovernments and region thatallowsittointerface The ternational professionalswith composed ofnationalandin- a RegionalDisasterResponseTeam PAHO hasassembledandtrained source training,andriskreduction. building, planning,humanre- operation, interalia,inins-titution identifies priorityareasforco- IDB holdsauniqueplaceinthe PAHO and structure activitieswiththe sup- to intensifyitsfinancingof infra- businesses. Assuch,itisworking assistance inthehealtharea. risk managementanddisaster regional perspectivesregarding das formeetingsandpresenting Development indevelopingagen- American CouncilforIntegral Council andtheOASInter- support totheOASPermanent Reduction, PAHO hasprovided Committee forNaturalDisaster response oftheInter-American for disasterpreparednessand As theagencywithresponsibility lopment. Authorities onSustainableDeve- by theMinistersandHigh-Level of theareasidentifiedaspriority gional strategy. Thistopicwas one as partofthe“SafeHospitals”re- plication throughouttheAmericas and thereareplansforitsap- ,aswellMexico, Caribbean, CentralAmericaand used inseveralcountriesthe event ofdisasters.Theformwas the safetyofhealthfacilitiesin ducting apreliminaryanalysisof A formwasdevelopedforcon- and vulnerabilityassessment. health, logistics,administration, health, healthservices,mental tion, epidemiology, environmental includes expertsincrisiscoordina- ment. Thismultidisciplinaryteam emergency anddisastermanage- wide knowledgeandexperienceof Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

port from public-private partner- vimento Economico e Social ships. The IDB intends to direct (BNDES) and the World Bank’s US$12 billion towards infra- International Finance Corporation structure projects in the region (IFC) will promote the development during the next five years. of concessions and public-private partnership projects by financing The IDB has identified the lack of consulting services and studies funding for project preparation as necessary to fully develop them. a major bottleneck for the much- The following are the other needed scaling up of infrastructure operations approved by the investment in Latin America and “InfraFund”: (i) a US$1.5 million to the Caribbean. In order to help fill prepare an environmental mana- this gap, in April 2006, the IDB gement plan for the Bogotá River decided to contribute US$20 million Basin (Colombia); (ii) an operation for the creation of the “Infrastruc- of US$300,000 for solid waste ture Fund (InfraFund)”. The management and disposal in “InfraFund” is dedicated to assist- tourist municipalities (Argentina); ing public, private and mixed-ca- (iii) US$289,880 to support the pital entities in LAC in the development of an 80MW private identification, development and wind project to harness alternative preparation of bankable and renewable energy (Panama), and sustainable infrastructure projects (iv) US$ 363,840 to finance the that have the potential of reaching completion of a comprehensive air financial closure. The “InfraFund”, traffic and commercial revenues which is administered by the IDB, study as well as the development is open to funding from other of comprehensive engineering donors, including governments designs that will be used for the and state and multilateral agencies project - El Dorado International as well as private concerns Airport (Colombia). interested in investing in the infrastructure sector in LAC. The IDB’s new “Sustainable Energy and IDB expects that its initial Climate Change Initiative (SECCI)”, commitment to the “InfraFund” launched in 2006, will support the will have an important catalytic LAC region in its urgent challenge effect in mobilizing additional to find economically and envi- resources for the preparation of ronmentally sound energy options. infrastructure projects in LAC. Its core objectives are to expand the development and use of renewable As of early 2007, the InfraFund has energy sources, energy efficient approved five projects. Its first technologies and practices, and operation was approved in carbon finance in the region, as well December 2006 with a US$1 million as to promote and finance climate financing towards the creation of change adaptation strategies that the “Brazilian Public-Private reduce the region’s climate Partnerships Development Fa- vulnerability. “SECCI” will meet cility”. The US$3.9 million facility, these core objectives by: scaling up which will be co-funded by Brazil’s Bank investments in this area; Banco Nacional de Desenvol- integrating policy reform and

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment instruments toprovide policy non-lending activitiesaseffective The IDBGrouphasundertaken areas ofTocantins, Brazil. Ecológica Institutetoworkinrural and a$600,000granttothe $975,000 granttoFundaciónChile opportunities forcleanenergy:a projects tosupportmarket approved financingfortwo market. Theclusterhasalready by smallerfirmstoservethis the creationofcapacitiesrequired clean energymarketandassistin new financialinstrumentsinthe The newMIFclusterwillpromote effects ofincreasingenergycosts. potential toreducethenegative newable energyoffergreat bean, energyefficiencyandre- In LatinAmericaandtheCarib- improving theircompetitiveness. market opportunitieswhile prises gainaccesstocleanenergy initiative willhelpsmallenter- clean energymarkets.This activities focusedonpromoting has createdanewclusterof The MultilateralInvestmentFund titutions. cies, andotherfinancialins- private sectorsinLAC,donoragen- partnerships withthepublicand and collaboratingformingnew natural disasterriskmanagement, IDB-financed projectsaspartof existing capitalassetsinLAC-and addressing adaptationneedsin market tothefullestextent; accessing thecarbonfinance sectors andrefiningfinancingtools; able energyinvestmentacross mation; mainstreamingsustain- financing formarkettransfor- with innovativepolicyandproject removal ofinstitutionalbarriers undertaken: some ofthemostrecentactivities ding operations.Thefollowingare the potentialforsuccessoflen- diminishes barriersandincreases ledge topromotedevelopment nation ofstate-of-the-artknow- ance ofkeyissues.Thedissemi- create awarenessoftheimport- disseminate informationand instruments thattheBIDusesto seminar andforumsaresomeofthe best practicepapers,conferences, development. Technical studiesand environment forinfrastructure best practicesandcreatetheproper disseminate information,promote project identificationanddesign; advice togovernments,assist Private Partnerships ATool for structure ProjectsinPublic- Financial Structuringof Infra- Failures andChallenges(paper) America: Accomplishments, Power SectorReforminLatin (book) eléctrico deAméricaLatina décadas dereformasdelsector Entre elmercadoyEstado:Tres portation projects. the qualityanddesignoftrans- that willassistthemtoimprove the Bankcompletedamanual members andBankprojectteams, order tosupport portation ProjectsManual.In Cost-Benefit Analysis ofTrans- water andsanitationsector. ticular applicationtothepotable partnership projects,withapar- financing ofpublic-private a setoftoolsforstructuringthe report setsoutanapproachand plication toWater Projects.This Private Partnerships:AnAp- structure ProjectsinPublic- Financial StructuringofInfra- BID country Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

Designing Feasible Structures projects and almost US$ 1.5 million (technical paper) in technical assistance operations. Electric Sector subsidies in Latin America and the Caribbean: The World Bank has provided Comparative analysis and policy financing and support for recommendations (working numerous national infrastructure paper) projects to stimulate economic Private Utility Supply in a Hostile growth, promote sustainable Environment: The Experience of development, and improve the Water/Sanitation and Electricity quality of life, including trans- Distribution Utilities in Northern portation improvement projects in Colombia, the Dominican Re- Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, Nicara- public, and Ecuador (Best prac- gua, Paraguay, and Peru; water tices paper) resource infrastructure projects in Private Infrastructure: Support Brazil, Ecuador, and Guyana; as from the BID Group 1990-2005 well as urban infrastructure (report) projects in Bolivia and Jamaica.

In looking for alternatives to The CAF Initiative for Integration increase infrastructure financing in of South American Regional LAC, the Bank supports different Infrastructure (IIRSA) presents a activities. Among them, the Bank regional vision of the physical and together with its country members economic integration of the 12 created, in 2005, the LAC Debt South American countries under a Group. This Group of Latin sustainable and equitable territo- American and the Caribbean Debt rial development model. Management Specialists organizes different activities (studies, In 2006, the IIRSA continued to meetings, training, and data move forward with the imple- systems) to support regional mentation of the agenda and cooperation between countries in investment projects on which the order to create a more homo- countries had agreed. The Eighth geneous framework for the debt and Meeting of the Executive Steering bond markets to contribute to Committee was held in Quito, Ecua- effectiveness of domestic debt dor, toward the end of 2006. The offices and to reduce the cost of debt. purpose of the meeting was to The Group represents also a forum analyze the accomplishments and of discussion and policy review and progress made during the year, as recommendation in the area of ca- well as to approve the plan of action pital market development and lo- for 2007. The plan highlights the cal market financing that have a decision of governments to significant impact on the possi- intensify territorial analysis bility to finance Infrastructure activities for the review and projects undertaken in the mobilization of the projects countries of the region. Between identified, including the incor- May 2006 and January 2007, the poration of citizen consultation and Bank has approved a total of participation mechanisms as a US$2.344 billion in infrastructure contribution to development

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 115 116

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment the socialandenvironmental special attentiontomanagement of The Corporationwillalso devote countries involvedintheInitiative. of infrastructureprojects inthe implementation, andsupervision the preparation,evaluation, institutional capacitybuildingfor providing particularsupportfor mulas andmechanismsaswell development ofnewfinancingfor- tinuing tomoveforwardwiththe portfolio. ForCAF, thisentailscon- of priorityprojectsintheIIRSA cular attentiontoimplementation region willcontinuetogiveparti- In 2007,thegovernmentsof 11,000 millionininvestments. the executionofmorethanUS$ million totheseprojects,permitting granted approximatelyUS$3,500 support providedbyCAF. CAFhas with technicalandfinancial 41 ofwhichhavebeenlaunched of 84projectsintheIIRSAportfolio, of progressintheimplementation The meetinginQuitowasinformed completion. munications atdifferentstagesof transport, energy, andtelecom- investment projectsintheareasof portfolio includesspecific by thecountriesconcerned.This productive investmentstargeted socioeconomic dynamicsand dors. Thosecorridorsencompass gration anddevelopmentcorri- groups belongingtoeightinte- than 350projectsdividedinto41 ments identifiedaportfolioofmore the firstSouthAmericangovern- activities, towardtheendof2005, As aresultofindicativeplanning setting. planning andinvestmentpriority- cooperation totransport infra- providing financingandtechnical respective country, aswell as appointed bythepresident oftheir commissioners forthePlan each mittee composedofthepresidential meetings oftheExecutiveCom- Corporation alsotookpartinthe prise thePlanPueblaPanama.The the variousinitiativesthatcom- and projectsintheframeworkof countries toimplementprograms presidents oftheMesoamerican Technical Groupcreatedbythe involved intheInteragency In 2006,CAFcontinuedtobe CAF’s contributioninthisregard. Projects, amongothers,arepartof tion ofSustainableInfrastructure gration, andtheFundforPromo- Border DevelopmentandInte- GeoSur, theProgramofSupportfor Program, PlanPueblaPanama, support. TheFirst-ClassPorts studies, andpre-investment sector participation,aregional cartography, environment,private connected withports,borders, regional cohesion,suchasthose financing ofstrategicprojectsfor Corporation contributedtothe the publicandprivatesectors.The economic andfinancialresourcesto tegration initiatives,funneling continued tosupportotherin- development promotionagency, to IIRSA,CAF, asaregional In additiontothesupportsupplied and mitigation. environmental impactprevention new infrastructure,andsocio- opportunities connectedwiththe planning activities,generationof consultation andparticipationin mechanisms forcivilsociety impact ofprojects,development Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

structure projects in CAF share- available to the countries special holder countries involved in the funds to finance the preparation of Plan. The inclusion of Colombia as studies and pre-investment works. a legally recognized full member of Thus, in March 2006, CAF approved the Plan Puebla Panama will help the creation of the Fund for Pro- strengthen integration ties with motion of Sustainable Infra- South America and broaden the structure Projects (PROINFRA), the possibilities of support from CAF purpose of which is to finance the for this regional initiative. adequate preparation, financial structuring, and evaluation of Under the revised and compre- sustainable infrastructure projects hensive perspective of the de- with a high impact on regional, velopment agenda for Latin national, or local economies and America, this year CAF promoted that make a consistent contribution the Program of Support for Border to integration among the Cor- Development and Integration, poration’s shareholder countries. which strengthens among its CAF allocated US$ 50 million for member countries the necessary this Fund, which may be used for: planning and linkage of programs General sectoral studies for and projects to best harness shared analysis of infrastructure projects potential and opportunities for Pre-feasibility studies for in- binational synergy, thereby vestment options securing the objectives of inte- Feasibility and detailed engi- gration and sustainable human neering studies development in the zones. Environmental and social impact assessments of infrastructure In the course of 2006, CAF created projects and continued to promote more Advisory services for project than 12 initiatives to support the financial structuring design and launch of Binational Advisory services on works con- Plans for Border Integration and cession and competitive bidding Development, creation of border tender processes integration zones among its Evaluation of any special projects member countries, and the financed by CAF that may be subregional policies of the Andean necessary during the imple- Community and MERCOSUR mentation period countries in this area to develop Technical assistance for creation land use planning, coordinated or strengthening of public in- planning, and prioritization of joint vestment planning systems and projects on physical integration, public-private participation economic and productive schemes. development, and social and cultu- ral advancement in border regions. “PROINFRA” will give priority to those projects that: To meet the needs of the national have an impact on integration authorities with responsibility for between the country concerned implementation of infrastructure and its neighbors in the region projects, in 2006, CAF made represent an innovative ap-

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment inclusion of“socialdevelopment, phase ofthisprocesswill seethe water andsanitation.Thesecond energy, telecommunications,and infrastructure sectors:transport, serve thefollowingdevelopment was developedin2006,initiallyto The CABEIinfrastructurestrategy multilateral agencies. private sectorinconjunctionwith encourage theparticipationof tor thatdoesnotentaildebtandto award financingtothepublicsec- vices, whichseek,interalia,to through newproductsandser- of continuingtoservethesector Unit, Infrastructure IndustryStrategic With thecreationof Airports System,inPeru. land NetworkandtheRegional concessions intheCoastal–High- chanism forsmallroad-building development ofafinancingme- Corridor inColombia;andthe Corridor andtheRutadelSolRoad the Buga-BuenaventuraRoad rations notableamongwhichwere for severalpre-investmentope- the allocationofPROINFRAfunds In 2006,theCorporationapproved country inquestion CAF supportstrategyforthe are withintheframeworkof nal developmentplans;and have priorityinnationalorregio- cing ofinfrastructureprojects planning, preparationorfinan- country’s capacityintermsof help todeveloporstrengthenthe structures proach intheuseoffinancing CABEI hasadoptedthegoal tor. to loansintheinfrastructuresec- million, 58%ofwhichcorresponds initiatives foratotalofUS$1,000.36 projects underthedifferentPPP the CABEIhadgrantedfinancingto (DR-CAFTA). As ofDecember2006, America FreeTrade Agreement Dominican Republic-Central tiveness, particularlywithinthe necessary toimprovecompeti- tries, tothecreationofconditions with itsfoundingmembercoun- undertakes tocontribute,along (PPP) andoftheeffortsthatCABEI nal initiativePlanPueblaPanama important componentoftheregio- The infrastructuresectorisan structure projects. medium- andlarge-scaleinfra- mezzanine debtinstrumentsto that willchannelfinancingthrough private capitalinvestmentfund Infrastructure Fund(CAMIF),a of theCentralAmericanMezzanine an initialinvestorinandsponsor Along withtheIDB,CABEIis pation increaseintheportfolio. progressive private-sectorpartici- million and,atthesametime,a approvals intheorderofUS$867 infrastructure portfolio,withloan US$446.01 millionincreasethe strategy inthehopesofbringinga The aimin2007istoimplementthe US$1,187.88 million. with thevalueofportfolioat came toUS$544millionin2006 structure projectloanapprovals knowledge” infrastructure.Infra- environment, andinformation Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

To promote increased funding and investment in science and technology, engineering and innovation. To request the appropriate multilateral organizations to strengthen technical and financial cooperation activities aimed at pursuing this goal and at the development of national innovation systems. (Paragraph 41)

ECLAC has continued to work on ICA is collaborating in the “Know- information and communication ledge Economy Project”, a regional technologies (ICTs). The Obser- initiative that offers grants for vatory for the Information Society applied research that focus on in Latin America and the equality and poverty implications Caribbean (OSILAC), created in of the transition to new economic 2003 by ECLAC and the Institute and social models, and contributes for Connectivity in the Americas to building research networks and (ICA), has produced two reports on a stock of knowledge on the issue. benchmarking of national action Other initiatives include the “E- plans. In addition, in conjunction Waste in Latin America and the with the national statistical offices Caribbean Toolkit,” aimed at and in the context of the Statistical raising awareness among Conference of the Americas of the computer users and the broad Economic Commission for Latin public on options related to the safe America and the Caribbean, disposal of hazardous personal OSILAC has managed to identify computer components, the “ICT-4- and formulate eight key questions BUS Project (ICT for Business)” which were recommended for implemented in collaboration with inclusion in household question- the MIF/IBD, as well as support naires, and five key questions for provided to the project “From questionnaires for enterprises in the Words to Action: ICTs, Youth and region. Gender Equity and to the Organic Agriculture and ICTs Regional Training Workshop” – Caribbean – May 2006 (women-led farming bu- siness training), among others.

To request Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and ECLAC to continue with their efforts to develop an information system for the follow-up and evaluation of the AGRO 2003- 2015 Plan, and the other members of the Joint Summit Working Group to join in those efforts as a contribution to defining goals and indicators for the mandates of the Summit of the Americas. (Paragraph 43)

In collaboration with the Inter- nitor progress with the AGRO American Institute for Cooperation 2003-2015 Plan of Action. The on Agriculture (IICA), ECLAC objective of this four-year project prepared a project profile for a is to support governments of the multi-agency effort for the design region in monitoring the progress and updating of indicators to mo- made towards the vision of the

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment 2015. evaluation ofthePlanAGRO 2003- system forthemonitoring and development oftheinformation in theAmericasand in the 2015 foragricultureandrural life Indicators forPlanAGRO2003- Summits mandateinthedocument: of thegoalsandindicatorsfor PAHO Organization (PAHO). and thePanAmericanHealth lia in2005andorganizedbyIICA This ConferencewasheldinBrasi- Prevention of Avian Influenza”. Conference ontheSurveillanceand World Bankatthe“Hemispheric region, whichwaspresentedbythe economies ofthecountriesin aviculture anditslinkageswiththe calculation oftheimportance FAO, ECLACperformedafirst In addition,inconjunctionwith relevant forthem. indicators whichareparticularly of theirstatisticsandtoselect agreement toimprovethequality Caribbean countrieshavemadean components waspresented.The progress madetodateineachofits the informationsystemand which aproposalofcomponentsfor of Spain,Trinidad andTobago, at a meetinginFebruary2006Port with supportfromIICA,organized in thisarea,ECLACandCARICOM, efforts oftheCaribbeancountries In ordertosupportthenational present updatesin2007and2009. 2005, toimprovetheindicatorsand Ministers ofGuayaquil,InAugust meeting ofAgriculturalandRural presented (inCDformat)atthe lar, toupdatethedocument the areascoveredand,inparticu- AGRO 2003-2015Planforeachof participatedinthedefinition ambassadors totheOAS. attended bymostof the institutions ataceremonythat was signed bytheDirectorsof the two Understanding forwhich was the Americas,Memorandumof prosperity inruralcommunities PAHO topromotehealthand partnership betweentheIICAand view toestablishingastrategic agreement wasexaminedwitha activities. Furthermore,in2006,an page onavianinfluenzaandother a proposalforaninteragencyweb fluenza. Forexample,itdeveloped operation activitiesonavianin- involved ininter-agencyco- animal health,andisactively to helpmemberstatesstrengthen Cooperation onAgriculture(IICA) Inter-American Institutefor working verycloselywiththe Since lastyear PAHO hasbeen Food SafetySystems.” mance, Vision,andStrategyfor prepared adocumenton“Perfor- safety, IICA andPAHO jointly Furthermore, onthetopicoffood events. ton, D.C.,March2006),andother fing sessionsattheOAS(Washing- February 2006);ambassadorbrie- Pandemic Preparedness(Panama, Workshop on Avian Influenza in Brasilia2005;the“Subregional Prevention of Avian Influenza held rence ontheSurveillanceand such astheHemisphericConfe- organized severaljointactivities, influenza, PAHO andIICA confront theglobalthreatofavian food securityintheAmericas,to and exportsfortheeconomy importance ofpoultryproduction bearing inmindthekey To complementPlan AGRO and Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

In March 2006, IICA and the to implement Plan AGRO 2003- Veterinary Public Health Unit met 2015 and the challenges that they at the PAHO offices in Washington, having counted in the course of that DC to discuss the two institutions’ process, based on reports prepared plans for livestock development in by the Ministerial Delegates; the the Region. “Leaders’ Expectations” com- ponent, also coordinated by the In keeping with this mandate, the IICA, is based on the 2007 National IICA, with the support of ECLAC, Consultation with agriculture sec- prepared the document, “In- tor leaders in the 34 member states, formation System to Monitor and which was carried out using a 20- Evaluate Strategies and Policies for point questionnaire and a model Agriculture and Rural Life: A Gra- designed to analyze expectations. dual and Modular Proposal.” This document sets out the structure of This interagency effort at the the information system based on hemispheric level has been the definitions provided by the repeated at the regional level, Ministers of Agriculture in the particularly in the Caribbean, Hemispheric Ministerial Agree- where IICA and ECLAC, with the ment on this specific matter. The support of other regional or- document also puts forward three ganizations, are spearheading the basic considerations and an ad hoc development of the “Plan AGRO strategy for their development in Follow-up and Evaluation In- each country, in such a way that formation System and the Jagdeo the system can continuously feed Initiative” (which is the Caribbean information to policy shapers regional strategy). (analysts and officials in the executive, legislative, and judicial For the remainder of 2007, the IICA branches, as well as interest group will continue to provide support for leaders). It also permits the regional and national efforts to comparison of these developments develop the above-mentioned with the mandates of the Fourth information system, seeking, as Summit and the Third Ministerial. mentioned in the mandate con- tained in paragraph 43 of the Plan In the course of the 2006-2007 mi- of Action of the Fourth Summit, nisterial process, international greater involvement from other organizations have been moving international agencies. forward with the development of three components of the infor- ICA recognizes that the lack of mation system: under the reliable statistical data concerning leadership of ECLAC progress has issues related to the Information continued on the development of Society in Latin America and the the “Performance Indicators for Caribbean (LAC) involves the risk Agriculture and Rural Life” of misallocating valuable scarce component; under the coordination resources, which can negatively of IICA, the “National Experience” affect the region’s insertion into the component covers the activities information economy. With the that the countries are carrying out aim of contributing to the

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Growth with Employment collaboration with (OSILAC)” wascreatedin America andtheCaribbean Information SocietyinLatin (a) “TheObservatoryforthe “OSILAC”, “DIRSI”and“PROTIC”. regional networkssuchas ICA hassupportedthecreationof key actorsandICTpractitioners, policy recommendationsamong of information,knowledgeand public policies,aswelltotheflow formulation ofwell-informed This changesincludedan increase activities withtheprivate sector. since 2005inordertoinvigorate its introduced toitsinternal policies Coordinator thatthe Group leadership ofthePrivateSector result ofseveralchangesunderthe This levelofapprovalswasthe increase fromitshistoricalvalues. region, representinga100% US$5 billionininvestmentsthe efforts helpedtofinancemorethan Group institutions.IDB establish anewrecordforthe approvals tonon-sovereignclients (MIF), reachedUS$1.384billionin the MultilateralInvestmentFund Investment Corporation(IIC)and the IDB,Inter-American In 2006the development banksroleincatalyzingprivatesectorinvestment.(Paragraph44) and leastcreditworthycountriesasperformance-basedgrants,expandthemultilateral To exploreways forthemultilateraldevelopment bankstoprovidemoreassistancethepoorest to theemerginginformationsociety quality ofofficialstatisticsrelated efforts toincreasethequantityand national administrationsintheir mission’s @LISprogram,tosupport support oftheEuropeanCom- IDB Group,formedby ECLAC andthe including publiccompanies inthe using sovereignguarantees, ness withnewclientswithout the Bankwasallowedtodo busi- region. Inaddition,inAugust 2006 investment ininfrastructurethe InfraFund/) tosupportprivate “InfraFund” (http://www.iadb.org/ adoption ofnewfacilitieslikethe restructure theirdebtandthe sibility tosupportcompanies local currencyin2006,thepos- the introductionofguaranteesin support loansinlocalcurrencyand Framework” inNovember2005to adoption ofthe“LocalCurrency developmental projects,the to US$400millionforhighly million toUS$200andup ding limitsperprojectfromUS$75 in December2005totheIDB’s len- synergies amongtheiractivities. find gaps,overlapsandpotential projects thatcanbescaledup,and to sharebestpractices,identify multilateral andfundingagencies for ICTpractitioners,governments, material), thataimtoserveastools maps, expertsdatabaseandrelated formation resources(databases, Project Database”providesin- oriented research.(c)“TheICT gional networkforappliedpolicy- through theconsolidationofare- governance regimesintheregion, market ICTregulatoryand is tohelpachieve pro-poor, pro- on theInformationSociety(DIRSI)” mandate of“TheRegionalDialogue and economyinLAC.(b)The Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance. .

infrastructure sector and private tations with regard to direct entities in all sectors of the investment in infrastructure. economy. Accordingly, CABEI is providing During 2007 and 2008 the IDB innovative services to its founding Group will continue to strengthen member countries in order to its non-sovereign guaranteed len- continue to support regional ding program. As part of the integration and economic and so- realignment process currently in cial development. Thus, it has the implementation at the Group, initiated measures designed to offer a new Vice-Presidency for Private the public sector, inter alia, Sector and Non-Sovereign Guaran- concessions, securitization of flows, teed Operations (VPSP) will be public-private partnerships, en- created which will help to increase dorsements and guarantees, and the efficiency and effectiveness of multisectoral programs. To the the Group’s efforts towards the financial sector, CABEI offers private sector. The new VPSP will mortgage loan portfolio secu- lead the implementation of several ritization, liquidity lines, factoring, internal operational agreements and working capital. To the busi- established at the end of 2006 and ness sector it offers, inter alia, loan will lead further improvements to structuring services, corporate processes, organization and banking, subscription and pla- instruments that are being cement of securities, and working evaluated as part of implemen- capital lines. tation of the Bank’s realignment process. In 2007, the CABEI intends to strengthen its development ban- CABEI is aware of the limited public king role, mobilizing capital and sector borrowing and spending investment flows toward pro- capacity of its founding member ductive sectors. countries as well as their limi-

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Social Development

To foster the development of comprehensive economic and social policies at the national level, principally aimed at employment growth; reduction of poverty, exclusion and inequality; personal skills development; and access to opportunities for integral development. (Paragraph 45)

In 2006, CAF strengthened and was extended to include the slums reaffirmed its commitment in the [favelas] of Río de Janeiro and Sao social sector with a responsive, Paulo, for both teachers and innovative and comprehensive students. The Luthería Andean approach and a territorial pers- Traveling Workshop (TIAL) was pective, in order more directly to consolidated in Medellín with the meet the needs of less-well-off creation of a company that makes segments. This year CAF approved musical instruments, whose first programs and projects for more violins were declared part of the than US$900 million, in order to city’s cultural heritage. The Andean partner and boost the social Traveling Conservatory (CAI) spending efforts of member continued to strengthen training in countries, in particular in the areas musical instruments and orchestra of water and sanitation, education, direction for children and young health, and urban and rural people, as well as launching a new development. area of training for children with a view to establishing the Children’s CAF continued to consolidate the Andean Symphony Orchestra. Social Action through Music Program. Its recent progress can be The Sports Training Program has measured by several recent been broadened to include activities festivals held in Guayaquil, Lima, that help strengthen fundamental Cochabamba, Santa Cruz de la Sie- aspects of human development, in rra, Medellin, and Bogota. The particular through a nutrition program has attracted new component and, in some cases, lo- students in these cities, in particu- cal governments have been lar children, including pupils from included in the program. Generally the Fe y Alegría schools who speaking, sports projects do receive voice coaching at the Voces important work to improve Andinas a Coro workshops. In relations in the family and addition, the choral component community and act as a preventive

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development indigenous andpeasantfarming involves morethan5000womenin projects suchasRandimpak,which significant progress,interalia,in In thatconnection,therehasbeen culture ofsavingandinvestment. education, ruraltourism,and approach intheareasofhealth, projects withamulticultural Program continuedtoimplement The LocalOpportunityBuilding in Uruguay. and boxingprojectwaslaunched the country. Finally, abasketball been broadenedtoanotherareaof parts, andinBoliviaactivitieshave institution buildingforcounter- dor effortshavealsocenteredon to otherareas.InPeruandEcua- prevention, aswellexpanding issue ofdomesticviolenceand in Colombiahavealsotargetedthe project. Bythesametoken,projects tegration ofyouthsenrolledinthe to contributethesocialrein- training indifferenttrades,order of actionoutsidesportstoinclude Alcatraz Projectwideneditsscope Thus, inthecaseofVenezuela, the factor againstproblemsofviolence. Initiative announced by the promoting theUniversal Access initiative, PAHO isactively In ordertoadvancetheThree Ones universal accesstotreatmentforallthosewhoneed it assoonpossible.(Paragraph46) prevention, treatment,andcaretoHIV/AIDScarriers withtheaimofprovidingasclosepossible the ILOCodeofConductonHIV/AIDSinworkplace. To promoteeffortstoprovideintegral attention totheproblemofstigmaanddiscrimination inthelaborenvironment,takingintoaccount AIDS andstrengtheninghealthservicesforyoungpeople andothervulnerablegroups,withspecial one country-levelsurveillanceandevaluationsystem” developingprimarypreventionofHIV/ Ones Initiative: oneHIV/AIDSaction framework, onenational AIDS coordinatingauthority, and To implement–withthesupportofPan-American HealthOrganization(PAHO) –the“Three account, andPAHO’s workinthe specifics mustbetaken into been acknowledgedthatregional Secretary Generalin2005. Ithas de intheindigenouspopulation. Microsoft toclosethedigitaldivi- the QuechuaProjectinPeruwith nutrition conditionsinElAlto,and en Bolivia,improvinghygieneand launched, suchasSembrandoGas Other initiativeswerealso and Quechua-speakingwomen. and sexualhealthwith Aymara addresses theissueofreproductive launched inBolivia,which Building Bridgesprojectwas marketing; thesecondstageof organization, financialculture,and common aspectsintermsof Communities Network,orwith savings andinvestment;Huaura possibilities forcommunity health andeducationservices, with cacaoproducers,accessto different products;pariacheese financing andjointmarketingof organization tomanagethe organizations andasecond-tier and registered16grassroots the CaucaValley, whohave setup than 700cacao-farmingfamiliesin Cayambe; VallenPaz, withmore zone; CasaCampesinade communities intheChimborazo Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Americas region is guided by the measures and interventions that Regional Plan on HIV/AIDS, which have had a demonstrably effective places particular emphasis on the and efficient impact on various at- health sector. PAHO will continue risk groups. PAHO is a member of to provide direct support to the Global HIV Prevention Working countries in order to help them Group, in which a group of experts implement their work plans, and discusses developments in the area seek to ensure that those plans are of prevention, including biomedical compatible with the goals set down interventions (vaccines, drugs, in the Regional Plan, so as to have a medical-surgical procedures) that broad overview from which to could help stem the spread of the assess progress and gaps. epidemic.

The Universal Access Initiative To assist countries in scaling up demands intense efforts on the part treatment of patients requiring of the health sector based on three therapy PAHO is making available fundamental pillars: a) clear regional guidelines, and adapting definition of the extent, location, and new guidelines from WHO in behavior of the epidemic; b) several areas. These include Regio- necessary measures to prevent and nal guidelines for the assessment even reverse the spread of the of quality assurance, rapid testing epidemic; and, c) critical measures and monitoring of drug resistance. to meet the healthcare needs of All such guidelines are specifically persons already infected. adapted to the Regional context through various processes, With respect to the first fundamen- including expert consultations. tal pillar, PAHO is coordinating efforts to strengthen epidemio- Following the second round of logical surveillance systems on all antiretroviral price negotiations in levels, so as to be able to propose Buenos Aires in August 2005, prevention and control measures countries in the Region were able based on a well-documented -- to access reduced prices for medi- rather than a merely speculative-- cines and supplies. PAHO’s situation analysis. This will make Revolving Fund for Strategic Public it possible to allocate resources Health Supplies is one mechanism according to evidence-based through which countries can epidemiological trends. At present, access these reduced prices and to in addition to a review of reporting assure ongoing technical advice on forms, PAHO is providing support procurement and supply chain to countries through a process of management. refining data collection and analysis methods to determine In conjunction with the OAS, PAHO how the HIV/AIDS epidemic affects has begun a training and the young. sensitization initiative on HIV and human rights, with a workshop in As regards primary prevention, Jamaica in April 2006. While PAHO continues to collect and PAHO’s focus is on reducing stigma disseminate information about and discrimination in the health

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development workplace policyforalltheOrga- PAHO haslaunchedan AIDS inthe identity, andlifestyles. admitted orpresumed-,gender orientation -whetherpublicly against becauseoftheirsexual stigmatized anddiscriminated HIV andofpeoplewhoare to protecttherightsofpeoplewith revision andupdatingoflegislation sector, italsoactivelypromotesthe maintain corecapacitiesto detect, tries develop,strengthen, and 2005, whichstipulatethat coun- (IHR) thatwereadopted inMay International HealthRegulations new mandatessetforthbythe Task Forceareframedunderthe response. AllactivitiesoftheEAR pandemic preparednessand implementation ofinfluenza related totheplanningand activities oftheOrganization coordinate, andmonitorall EAR Task Force)toadvise, Epidemic AlertandResponse(the multidisciplinary Task Forceon The DirectorofPAHO createda NIPPPs. za PandemicPreparednessPlans) development of(NationalInfluen- assisting itsMemberStatesinthe 2005, PAHO has beentaskedwith del Plata,Argentina,inNovember the SummitofAmericasinMar Governing Bodiesaswellfrom Through mandatesfromPAHO’s decision oftheExecutive CommitteeoftheWorld HealthOrganization(WHO).(Paragraph47) that alreadyhaveplans;theseshouldbeimplementedimmediatelyaccordingtotheJanuary2005 preparation ofinfluenzaandavianflupandemicsincountriesthatdonothaveplans.In To initiateimmediately, withthesupportofPAHO, and finalizebyJune2006,nationalplansonthe the UNCaresinitiative. with UNAIDSintheframeworkof being carriedoutinconjunction different countriesintheregionare ton, D.C.Guidancesessionsin organizations situatedinWashing- at focalpointsofagenciesand employees attheheadquartersand includes guidancesessionsforall to implementitinaprocessthat nization’s andhasbegun employees the Regionforaninfluenza cooperation activitiesto prepare objectives aretodirecttechnical been incorporated.The SOP partners, andtheircomments have Organization (WHO)andother reviewed bytheWorld Health and revision.TheSOPwas document underconstantreview has beenconceivedasaliving ration activities.ThePAHO SOP Organization’s technicalcoope- Influenza” (PAHO SOP)toguidethe Plan forRespondingtoPandemic the “StrategicandOperational The EAR Task Forcehasdeveloped variety ofsectors. highly coordinatedeffortsfroma pandemic planning,whichrequire implementation andinfluenza process involvedintheIHR Force respondstothecomplex programmatic natureoftheTask health importance.Theinter- events ofinternationalpublic assess, andintervenetocontrol Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

pandemic; to assist countries in Under the framework of the EAR their development of national in- Task Force and with the strategic fluenza pandemic preparedness; lines set forth by the PAHO SOP, and to support countries in technical cooperation in influenza enhancing the capacity to detect preparedness includes actively and respond to diseases such as in- promoting the development of fluenza. Technical units across the NIPPPs and supporting Member Pan American Sanitary Bureau States in this effort. PAHO has have been actively engaged in the translated and distributed process, and detailed work plans, guidelines to assist the develop- including timelines and budgets, ment of National Plans. Addition- have been developed to avoid ally, subregional workshops have duplication of efforts and to been useful in modeling software maximize resources. to estimate the potential impact of a pandemic based on multiple As part of its institutional response scenarios. This enables countries to to a pandemic, the Bureau is ensure the flexibility of their preparing to establish an National Plans by preparing for Emergency Operations Center many contin-gencies, including a (EOC) at Headquarters for the worst-case scenario where there organizational coordination and are neither available vaccines nor control of health-related response antiviral medications. As of 16 activities during emergencies and August 2006, all Member States are disasters in the Region. The EOC is actively engaged in influenza a facility located in the main buil- preparedness activities; and PAHO ding, furnished with the necessary has received draft national plans networking capabilities, comp- for 28 Member States. uters, communications, software, and other office equipment to PAHO has developed an assessment effectively coordinate PAHO’s tool based on WHO’s Checklist for intelligence and response in Influenza Pandemic Preparedness emergency situations. In this Planning to assess National Plans. center, data and media reports on This tool has already been applied outbreaks are collected and in four subregional assessment analyzed so as to make decisions exercises for multidisciplinary on epidemiological events as country delegations. These work- mandated under the International shops were extremely successful at Health Regulations. An Emergency identifying areas that needed to be Operations Center is considered a strengthened and highlighted the vital factor in allowing PAHO to need for further multisectoral work operationally and efficiently collaboration in the development to bring the whole Organization of such plans. Each workshop also together to focus on the response to included two tabletop simulation public health emergencies using exercises to highlight coordination audio and video conferencing issues that may be encountered capabilities for briefings, during a pandemic or during the monitoring, and management pandemic-alert period. Based on decisions. these exercises, action plans were

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development guidelines willensurecompliance throughout theRegion.Such new harmonized andcomprehensive that influenzasurveillance is and Prevention(CDC)to ensure the U.S.CentersforDiseaseControl developed incollaborationwith surveillance iscurrentlybeing generic protocolforinfluenza virological surveillance.Anew ening theexistingnetworkfor surveillance targets,andstrength- warning systemsbyexpanding included thestrengtheningofearly such plans.Theseactivitieshave required inordertooperationalize supporting actionsthatare been aimedatstrengtheningthe Plans, technicalcooperationhas To ensuretheviabilityofNational the newIHR. emergency, asidentifiedthrough respond toanypublichealth Member Statesandcommunitiesto strengthening corecompetenciesof peration hasbeenaimedat implementation, technicalcoo- gap betweenplanningand plans. Inordertobridgethecurrent strong astheirlocalcontingency level. NIPPPsarethereforeonlyas intensely feltatthecommunity influenza pandemicwillbemost has beenwidelyrecognizedthatan effective responsetoapandemic.It plans atthelocalleveltoensurean national influenzapreparedness Member Statesinoperationalizing To thisend,PAHO issupportingits subnational levels. identified needsatthenationaland now targetedataddressingthe Technical cooperationactionsare and tabletopsimulations. identified bytheself-assessment developed toaddresstheneeds future pandemic.Asurvey carried capacity neededtorespond toa will helpguaranteetheproduction vaccines forseasonalepidemics are beingadapted.Thebest useof concerning thetargetpopulation on Vaccine-Preventable Diseases and theTechnical Advisory Group and therecommendationsofWHO being introducedintheRegion, Influenza vaccineisgradually over technologytransfer. tiations betweenBrazilandRoche PAHO isparticipatinginnego- capacity isbeingcarriedout,and assessment ofregionalproduction antivirals totheRegion.An actively beingsoughttosupply when available.Mechanismsare and pandemicinfluenzavaccine, in theirdecisiontoobtainantivirals Member Statestoassistcountries PAHO isalsoworking with experts. ical cooperationbyregional through on-sitelaboratorytechn- and immunofluorescence, hands-on traininginviralisolation, strengthened throughmultiple surveillance hasalsobeen shipments. Virologicalinfluenza diagnosis, andfundingofsample strengthen surveillance,laboratory of theCDC,isprovidingto that PAHO, withthecollaboration This hasbeenaresultofthesupport Regional ReferenceLaboratory. lation andshippingsamplestothe performing influenzavirusiso- increased numberofcountries surveillance asevidencedbythe have beenmadeinvirological WHO. Also,significantadvances new viralsubtypebenotifiedto single caseofinfluenzacausedbya with theIHRrequirementthata Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

out by the Immunizations Unit representatives from the Americas revealed that influenza vaccination as well as experts from Europe, has been introduced in the public Thailand, and Viet Nam. A collec- sector in 19 countries or territories. tion of documents have been In nine of these countries or developed and made available territories, vaccination is admin- through the web, such as best istered only in the private sector. practices, national plans, guideli- The formulation used and the time nes, and lessons learned. A network of the year when the vaccine is of health services experts was administered vary with the created to foster information- country’s geographical location. sharing and to coordinate support. Twenty-eight countries or terri- tories are planning to extend In order to reduce opportunities for vaccination into additional human infection, the Veterinary coverage groups or add influenza Public Health Unit has been vaccine into their immunization working on strengthening vete- schedules. The target groups vary rinary services and promoting among countries; however, most national plans which integrate countries target the very young human and animal health. and elderly. Three countries or Interagency integration has been territories also vaccinate popu- fostered considering the great lations in close contact with birds. importance of poultry production Brazil has also included the and export for the economy and vaccination of additional at-risk food security of the Americas. Such groups, including indigenous and collaboration has included work incarcerated populations. with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations To prepare the Region for the (FAO), World Organization for Ani- possible overburdening of health mal Health (OIE), and poultry care systems during a pandemic, producers associations. Also, the Health Services Organization PAHO and the Inter-American Unit has been working with Institute for Cooperation on national counterparts in planning Agriculture (IICA) have carried out and preparing for the capacity several joint activities such as the needed to cope with a surge in the Hemispheric Conference on Avian number of illnesses and deaths, Influenza in Brasília in 2005 and including intensive care require- ambassador briefing sessions at the ments. With support from Canada, OAS in Washington, D.C. PAHO has guidelines for the Health Services also participated in the interagency Network Response Capacity Plan Global Frontiers-Trans Animal in the event of a pandemic were Boundary Diseases (GFTADs) prepared and tested in Paraguay. initiative that aims to assist A regional workshop was held in countries in the control of disease Bogota, Colombia, in April 2006 to by strengthening and enhancing assist in the preparation of the national veterinary services. response of health services during a pandemic. This meeting was Communication and the trans- attended by health services mission of key, unified messages

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development Caribbean ( ssion onLatinAmerica and the ( American Development Bank representatives ofthe Inter- the two-daymeetingincluded demic influenza.Participantsin and prepareforavianpan- part ofongoingeffortstoprevent sector, andthegeneralpublicas government officials,theprivate for communicatingwiththemedia, cas tosetforthacommonapproach Pandemic InfluenzaintheAme-ri- nication Frameworkfor Avian and develop anInter-AgencyCommu- was heldatPAHO inJuly2006to In addition,aninteragencymeeting communication. others inoutbreakandcrisis Region fortraininginhowtotrain from almosteverycountryinthe participants from37countries) communication specialists(80 Washington, D.C.,broughttogether ment tool.InJuly, aworkshop in produced communicationassess- tion plansbasedonaPAHO- assessment ofnationalcommunica- risk communicationtrainingand education ofsevencountriesfor tries ofhealth,agriculture,and cation specialistsfromtheminis- CDC broughttogethercommuni- na, aworkshopsponsoredbythe crisis communication.InArgenti- special emphasisonoutbreakand been heldintheCaribbeanwith NIPPPs. Severalworkshopshave nication strategiesincludedwithin and havingdetailedcommu- outbreak andcrisiscommunication aimed attrainingofficialsin cooperation inthisareahasbeen response. PAHO’s technical essential partofacoordinated during apandemicwillbean IDB ), theUNEconomicCommi- ECLAC ), PAHO/WHO, and coordinationintheevent ofa (UNDP)?to definepreparedness Nations DevelopmentProgram Refugees (UNHCR),and United Nations HighCommissioner for Program (WFP),OfficeoftheUnited D.C.?UNIC, FAO, World Food with UNagenciesinWashington, has alsoparticipatedindiscussions UN influenzacoordinators.PAHO Representatives intheirfunctionas to supportPAHO/WHO Country lines andmaderesourcesavailable The Bureauhasdevelopedguide- Region. coordinator in22countriesofthe designated astheUNinteragency to apandemic;andPAHO hasbeen have beenestablishedtorespond composed ofUNsystemagencies General KofiAnan,countryteams from UnitedNationsSecretary- cas region.Followinginstructions mitigate theimpactonAmeri- expertise ofeachorganizationto leadership inanefforttogarnerthe discussed establishingthelinesof preparedness planningwas Directors inPanama,influenza recent meetingofUNRegional interagency collaboration.Ina propelled furtherstrengtheningof Influenza preparednesshas meeting. agencies alsopartici-patedinthis government depart-mentsand Affairs (OCHA).SeveralUS for CoordinationofHumanitarian Centers (UNICs),andtheUNOffice (UNSIC), theUNInformation System InfluenzaCoordination Animal Health(OIRSA),theUN nal Organiza-tionforPlantand Bank Fund (UNICEF),FAO, OIE,the the UnitedNationsChildren’s , IICA,theInternationalRegio- World Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

pandemic. PAHO has volunteered American Development Bank to procure antivirals and other Board of Governors, Permanent supplies for the UN system in the Council of the Organization of Region. A briefing session for the American States, US State UN system, in Washington, D.C., on Department, and World Bank. Such 18 September 2006, will cover a efforts have yielded an interagency plan for continuity of operations for project on avian and pandemic in- the UN system agencies as well as fluenza between PAHO and the IDB any procurement needs. and rekindled the possibility for further interagency initiatives at PAHO has reached out beyond the the country level in the Latin health sector by approaching think American and Caribbean region. tanks to advocate for the need for influenza pandemic preparedness An intense resource mobilization at all levels of government. On 24 effort was undertaken in 2006 for May 2006, the Center for Strategic the implementation of the above- and International Studies (CSIS) mentioned activities. Funds for in- and the Pan American Health fluenza preparedness activities Organization (PAHO) cohosted a have been secured from the US conference in Washington, D.C., Agency for International Develop- entitled “Responding to an Influen- ment (USAID), Canadian Inter- za Pandemic in the Americas.” This national Development Agency conference featured presentations (CIDA), CDC, and IDB.. by leading experts from around the Hemisphere and addresses by the As National Plans are being put in OAS Assistant Secretary-General place, new challenges emerge in the and the US Under Secretary of State process of updating plans and for Democracy and Global Affairs. maintaining them relevant. The key message emanating from Another challenge lies in bringing the conference was that planning preparedness to the subnational for preparedness needs to occur at level, engaging practitioners, and the national (federal), state (pro- concerned citizens who will be vincial), and local levels, with close charged with implementing such coordination among planners at all plans. Also, further mechanisms three levels. will have to be sought to strengthen intersectoral and interinstitutional PAHO has also coordinated briefing efforts. sessions for the US Congress, Inter-

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development of 2007. expected tobereadyinthe first half for theMERCOSURcountries are tina, andthesubregional strategy The StrategiesforPeruandArgen- Dengue (GT-Dengue). PAHO/WHO Working Groupon the countriesandmembersof participation ofexpertsfromall America wasdesignedwiththe Subregional StrategyforCentral Caribbean. Inadditionthe and DominicanRepublicinthe and PanamainCentralAmerica; Guatemala, Honduras,Nicaragua, America; CostaRica,ElSalvador, guay, andVenezuela inSouth countries: Brazil,Colombia,Para- Control havebeenpreparedin11 Integrated DenguePreventionand At present,NationalStrategiesfor epidemics. created bydengueoutbreaksand the socialandeconomicburden reducing morbidity, mortality, and of extra-sectoralmeasuresaimedat cular attentiontothecoordination and healtheducation,withparti- promote communityengagement with anintegratingvision, strengthen nationalprogramsand, Strategy,” theaimofwhichis to gue PreventionandControl mentation ofan“IntegratedDen- therefore, promotingtheimple- the healthsector. problem surpassestheconfinesof our regionandthedimensionof remain aserioushealthproblemin Dengue andhemorrhagicdengue hemorrhagic dengue.(Paragraph48) efforts toreducemalariainendemiccountriesandstrengthenthefightagainstclassic its components,andextendthecoverageofpopulationatrisk;insamemanner, coordinate To strengthenatthenationallevel thestrategyofsupervisedtreatmenttuberculosis,withall PAHO /WHO is, implementation ofDOTS in support isbeingprovided for populations athighriskfrom TB, As regardsbroadeningcoverage to Brazil). vador, DominicanRepublic,and four pilotcountries(Mexico,ElSal- operational studiesconductedin plans ofactioninplacebasedon is beingencouraged,andthereare health careprovidersinTBcontrol The inclusionofprivateandpublic and HIV/AIDSprograms. collaboration activitiesbetweenTB around 30countriesareengagedin DOTS in12countriesandatpresent prepared andimplementedunder agement ofmulti-resistancewere Projects oncomprehensiveman- application: with differentresultsfromits 78% in2004to88%recentyears, population coverageofDOTSfrom countries’ effortstoextend PAHO hasprovidedsupportfor results sustainableineachcountry. is importanttoworkmakethe validated instruments.Finally, it subregional agendasthrough mentation ofnationaland strategies carriedoutandimple- evaluate theresultsof strategies alreadydeveloped;and full implementationofthe subregions notcovered;ensurethe strategies inthecountriesand mobilize fundstoprepare An ongoingeffortisneededto Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

corrections centers in 29 countries; designed, unveiled and dissemi- work is underway in 11 countries nated its Regional Strategic Plan for on the preparation of TB control Malaria in the Americas 2006–2010 plans in indigenous populations; and has encouraged its use to guide and in two countries there are the design of national malaria plans specific programs in place for to comply with national, as well as providing TB care to peri-urban regional and global, commitments. populations Endemic countries use the guide- lines contained in the Global Mala- Efforts to reduce malaria have ria Program to shape treatment continued in the 21 endemic policies as well as making decisions countries in the region. The based on evidence generated by reductions in incidence by more studies in the region than 50% in seven countries, along with lesser reductions in four other As a result of the mobilization of countries, accomplished between financial and human resource, 2000 and 2005 have been main- there are subregional projects in tained. Overall, the region has underway to combat malaria in the recorded a 9% reduction in inci- Amazonian countries, as well as in dence. At the same time, between Mexico and Central American 2000 and 2005 a 55% reduction was countries. Those projects are being reported in the mortality rate, carried out by countries in coordi- which continued to decline in 2006. nation with PAHO. Furthermore, Efforts to prevent reintroduction of in 2006, seven countries (Bolivia, transmission in malaria-free Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Hondu- countries have had to be reinforced ras, Nicaragua, and Surinam) in the Bahamas and Jamaica where continued to implement anti-ma- there were malaria outbreaks in laria projects financed by the Glo- 2006. bal Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria, and for countries in the In 2006, PAHO made efforts to fulfill Andean region (Colombia, Ecuador, the mandates of member countries Peru, and Venezuela) launched a contained in the Resolution on Ma- joint project to combat malaria laria adopted at its 46th Directing also financed by the Global Fund. Council in September 2005, and in PAHO has provided technical the resolution on Malaria Control cooperation to countries for adopted at the 58th World Health implementation of national as well Assembly in May 2005. PAHO as multinational projects.

To promote efforts to ensure, by 2010, completion of quality primary school education for all children, and promote the setting of goals, before 2007, for the completion of quality middle-school education. (Paragraph 49)

As part of its efforts to ensure the “Support for the Strategy of education of the children of the Inclusion and Quality Education Americas, the World Bank-funded Project in Ecuador” will contribute

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development nization onwaystoestablish a Group wastoadvisethe Orga- main functionoftheWorking states forstrengtheningPHC. The the recommendationsof member (PHC) wascreatedinresponseto (WG) onPrimaryHealthCare The health system. environment ofthenation'spublic and appropriateregulatory and improvethestewardshiprole associated withcollectiveillness; exposure toprincipalriskfactors Programs; reducethepopulation's of tenprioritizedPublicHealth Bank Argentina” fundedbythe Functions andProgramsProjectfor The “EssentialPublicHealth health servicesforallpeopleinthehemisphere.(Paragraph50) diseases andtheirconsequencesreducemorbiditywiththepurposeofensuringequalaccessto To strengthen,withinnationalhealthsystems,primarycareactionsasasteptoprevent Through itsadministrationand trated competitiveadvantages. ism inwhich of socialfundshasbeenamechan- quality education,administration For thepurposesofpromoting at thefirstgradelevel. disadvantaged areas,particularly basic educationlevelinthemost and, byincreasingcoverageatthe improved distributionofteachers, increasing thenumberand for enhancingsystemefficiency, by resources managementcapacity (MDG) bystrengtheningthehuman Millennium DevelopmentGoal universal primarycompletion towards theachievementof PAHO aimstoincreasethecoverage /WHO Working Group CAF hasdemons- World a regionaldeclarationonrenewing a PAHO/WHO positionpaperand formulated draftingguidelines for principles ofPHC.TheWG also systems andservicesfollowing the reorient theRegion’s health and PAHO/WHO onhowto PHC; provideguidancetocountries definitions ofconceptsrelevantto claration; developoperational contained intheAlmaAtaDe- conceptual dimensionsofPHCas were toexamineandreaffirmthe The principalobjectivesoftheWG (MDGs). Millennium DevelopmentGoals particular thosepresentedbythe posed bythenewmillennium,in strategy toconfrontthechallenges strengthened visionofthePHC integration througheducation. nal bloctoadvancesocial with fundsprovidedbytheregio- managing thefirstfundcreated technically andfinancially (FEM)” (US$650,000),CAFis the “MERCOSUREducationalFund in favor ofEcuador. Inthecaseof Spanish governmenthascondoned from thebilateraldebtthat Mechanism (MDL)”withfunds and the“CleanDevelopment investment projectsineducation million), CAFpromotessocial the RepublicofEcuador(US$50 between theKingdomofSpainand Fund” forSocialInvestmentsetup management ofthe“DebtSwap Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

PHC that reflects current realities Following the adoption of the and future prospects. Declaration of Montevideo, several countries in the region have To accomplish the above objectives, renewed or strengthened their the WG held consultations at the efforts by seeking to incorporate the regional and national level. It also values, principles, and core strengthens dialogue with its most elements of the approach/strategy important partners, including ci- on primary health care in their vil society and nongovernmental national health systems. Both the organizations, universities, pro- Declaration of Montevideo and the fessional associations, and govern- PAHO/WHO Position Paper on ment, with the aim of building renewing PHC have become a consensus and forging key partner- yardstick on the issue and offer a ships or the progress of PHC across fresh perspective in the debate on the region. health sector reform and health system strengthening throughout The technical recommendations the region. that came out of the regional consultation were included in the PAHO/WHO has also continued to drafts of the Position Paper and the provide technical assistance to Regional Declaration on PHC, both countries on this issue and inten- of which were presented for sified its efforts to disseminate the consideration to the 46th Directing renewed PHC approach in the Council. region. Within the Organization efforts have centered on simplifying Ultimately, the Regional Declara- the PHC approach/strategy in all tion on the New Orien-tations for PAHO technical cooperation Primary Health Care (Declaration activities. Several Areas/Units of Montevideo) was approved by have adopted or are incorporating the PAHO 46th Directing Council the PHC approach/strategy in their in September 2005. planning process and daily operations.

To identify and exchange, within the framework of the OAS, practices in the region regarding policies and programs to confront poverty. (Paragraph 52)

The OAS serves as Technical against poverty and social de- Secretariat to the Social Network velopment. For more than 10 years, for Latin America and the the OAS has assisted in the Caribbean, which brings together organization of the Network’s social investment funds and annual conferences, the most recent ministries of social development in of which was held in Port-of-Spain, the region in order to promote and Trinidad and Tobago, in 2006. In share experience on the fight accordance with the decisions

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development each ofthefollowingcountries: were madeof4-8communities in fied bestpractices.Case studies agricultural productsand identi- resolving problemsofmarketing lyzed grassrootsapproachesto ment throughastudythatana- sustainable alternativedevelop- knowledge aboutintegratedand Thailand togenerategreater promoted bythegovernmentof Crop ProducingRegionsProject” ties inMountainousand/orDrug- Practice MarketingforCommuni- The out bythecountriesaffectedcultivationandproductionofillicitdrugs.(Paragraph53) Americas”; andpromotesupportfortheintegralsustainabledevelopmentstrategiescarried others; expandthe“ProgramtoEstimateHuman,Social,andEconomicCostofDrugsin prevention programs,inparticularforchildrenandyoungpeople,suchas“LifeSkills”,among Drug AbuseControlCommission(CICAD),to:develop,implement,andevaluatesubstanceabuse substances, callinguponthecountriesofhemisphere,incooperationwithInter-American fight againsttheproduction,traffickingandconsumptionofillicitdrugspsychotropic To continuetostrengthenregionalcooperationandthemobilizationofresourcesadvance inthe the OAS.Theoverarchingaimof CIDA ofCanada,FOSISChile,and financing chieflyprovidedbythe targets Caribbeancountries,with social protectionsystemsthat technical cooperationprogramon OAS willstarttoimplementa the regionwillbedetermined, tation ofcooperationinitiativesin thematic prioritiesforimplemen- held inBelize2007,atwhichthe coming AnnualConference,tobe As preparationsprogressforthe out in2007. operation activitiestobecarried le, ontheprogrammingofco- Network, occupiedbyFOSISofChi- closely withtheChairofSocial adopted, theDepartmentworked OAS participated inthe“Best producers fromPeruandBolivia in pation ofrepresentativegroup of The OASfacilitatedthe partici- marketing. to organizecommunity-based feasible recommendationsonhow published thatcontainsconcrete, nual ofbestpracticeswillbe existing knowledge.In2007,ama- compiling andsystematizing of thecasestudiesfocusedon and Colombia.Adetailedanalysis nistan, ,Nepal,Bolivia,Peru Thailand, Vietnam,,Afgha- and Uruguay. activity: Chile,Guatemala,Peru, case studiesinthefirstphaseofthis tries intheregionwereachosenas and implementation.Fourcoun- approach insocialpolicydesign of theusearights-based World Bank works withthe change intheregion,OAS and strengthenexperienceex- Furthermore, inordertopromote rio program. had withitsPuente-ChileSolida- successful experiencethatChilehas Caribbean, modeledonthe protection programsinthe the qualityandcoverageofsocial this two-yearprojectistoimprove toanalyzetheimpact IDB, ECLAC , and Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

the “Andean Regional Seminar on that can best substitute coca and Marketing for Alternative Deve- poppy, taking into account the lopment Products” that took place geographic, climatic and economic in Bogotá, Colombia on April 3. The conditions prevalent. In 2006, the event was organized by Colombia’s OAS concentrated on broadening Presidential Agency for Social the use of the “GLEAM” tool to the Action and International Cooper- institutions involved in rural ation (Acción Social), the Ministry development in Bolivia. The goal of Foreign Affairs of Colombia, the was to position the “GLEAM” Embassy of France, the French service as a strategic information wholesaler Carrefour, the United system specialized in integral Nations Office on Drugs and Crime development that permits centra- (UNODC) and the OAS. Partici- lization, systemization and dis- pants presented their approaches, tribution of information for projects and enterprises that operational support. At the same support former growers of coca and time, the system was used to carry opium poppies, especially through out geographic quantification and alternative development initia- soil evaluation for the cultivation tives. of cacao and coffee in the Alto Beni of Yungas region, providing During 2006, the OAS financed the support to the Vice Ministry of Coca training of 55 field technicians and and Integral Development with also participated in a model geographic and spatial information consortium of seven Peruvian of the coca-growing region. institutions for the implementation “GLEAM” also was employed to of 48 farm field schools in Peru, evaluate the extent of soil de- achieving coverage of 2,412 gradation in the Yungas region hectares. The beneficiaries were caused by settlement and coca 1,229 farms belonging to 145 cultivation. The OAS not only communities. In late 2007, the directs its efforts towards the areas results will be evaluated to deter- where there are illicit crops or mine their real impact in terms of where they existed before, but also crop yield and quality. Next year, focuses on lands adjacent to illicit the OAS plans to support the crop zones whose development implementation of farmer field could inhibit the expansion of illicit schools in Peru, and seek additional crops and avert the migration of financing for implementing this workers to areas of illicit crops. methodology in Bolivia, Colombia, and Ecuador. In 2006 the OAS implemented activities for the fulfillment of and The “Implementation of the for the sustainability of the Generalized Land-Use Evaluation “School-based ‘Life-Skills’ Sub- and Management (GLEAM) Tool” is stance Abuse Prevention Program” a remote imaging-based infor- including: mation system that permits Sensitization of government governments to identify the actual officials, school administrators, use of land for both licit and illicit teachers, district associations, crops and determine those crops and supporting agencies about

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 139 140

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development schools, gradesK-8. been providedforatotal 150 years. Preventionmaterials have another 800overthenext two of theprogram,andexpects totrain mately 800teachersinthedelivery program hastrainedapproxi- Mexico in2007-2008.Sofar, the dor, the DominicanRepublicand under theOASauspices,inEcua- since 2006.Theprogramwillbegin, in Peru,ParaguayandColombia operating inBelizesince2005and This preventionprogramhasbeen and schoolsinsubsequentyears. Expansion tonewgradelevels materials; zation ofcurriculumanddidactic Adaptation, revision,andfinali- family andcommunity; Sensitization activitiesforthe of theprogram; which willbeongoingforthelife process andlong-termoutcome), evaluation process(short-term Establishment ofamulti-level grade levelsinsubsequentyears); expand geographicallyandacross (est. 20schoolsinyearone,to students intargetpilotschools Delivery ofanewcurriculumto liaisons, andsupportpersonnel; course, schoolprincipals,Lions teachers whowilldeliverthe Delivery oftrainingcoursesfor groups); tions, andcommunityservice youth developmentorganiza- (drug council,educationministry, goals, operations,andcontent assess needs,defineprogram committee foreachcountryto Formation ofacoordinating supporting lifeskillsprograms; importance ofdevelopingand problem amongyouthandthe the natureofsubstanceabuse costs ofdrugs,thecostestimates capable ofestimatingthe direct Although mostcountries are countries intheHemisphere. Drugs intheAmericas”to other the SocialandEconomicCostsof expand the“ProgramtoEstimate The OASisworkingtogradually program inthenearfuture. Nicaragua willimplementthe also anticipatedthatTobago and country) inthespringof2007.Itis Honduras (8-10schoolsineach on apilotbasisinCostaRicaand the CultureofLawfulnessprogram profit, theOASplanstoimplement Center, aWashington-based non- National StrategyInformation schools. With itspartner, the supporting materialstothe has providedover3,000copiesof deliver theprogram,andOAS fifty schoolshavebeentrainedto Thus far, onehundredteachersin responsibilities ofgoodcitizenship. them, aswelltointernalizethe and corruptionfromundermining for theruleoflawtopreventcrime of lawsinasocietyandtheneed thinking skillsaboutthepurpose understanding andprovidecritical vador, whichseekstogenerate fulness (COL)”programinElSal- supporting the“CultureofLaw- Since early2006theOAShasbeen Toolkit”. newly developed“Evaluation in Peru2007and2008,usinga scientific evaluationoftheprogram will conductanindependent, US EmbassyinBogota.TheOAS Colombia, LionsColombiaandthe program fromtheGovernmentof additional US$587,000forthe of US$90,000hasleveragedan In Colombia,theOASinvestment Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

have no meaning if the country does The OAS’ goal is to develop solid not possess reliable data on the research programs including cost magnitude of the drug problem. studies in each country in the Since cost studies, by their very hemisphere by 2015. nature require large amounts of aggregate data, the OAS has In keeping with the mandate to incorporated the Cost Program continue to expand the “Cost into its broad research develop- Program” to other countries in the ment agenda. hemisphere, the OAS has begun working with additional countries In addition, the OAS is supporting that were not part of the pilot study. countries that have carried out In addition, the OAS continues to basic cost studies to deepen their work with the pilot group to help studies and produce estimates on them to refine their studies, and the avoidable costs of the drug examine the meaning of the problem. The OAS views the cost economic impact within their program as an integral part of the contexts. Studies implemented in OAS research program, and will 2006 have not yet been completed gradually implement cost studies and results from these studies will in the hemisphere as the countries become available during 2007. develop their research programs.

We recognize the positive results of the Global Fund for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria (GFATM) and we reaffirm our support to their activities and goals. We recommend the continued important participation of civil society in the fulfillment of these goals, and we urge the Global Fund Board to evaluate the eligibility criteria with the intent of addressing middle income countries in the hemisphere. (Paragraph 54)

In compliance with this mandate, adoption by the GF of results-based PAHO provided support for the financing has generated strong preparation of 14 Global Fund demand for technical advisory projects, 13 of which were appro- services in the preparation of ved; furnished technical assistance realistic indicators and effective in the implementation of 13 follow-up and evaluation mecha- approved Global Fund projects; nisms. PAHO has also assisted in and participated in the 13 the design and implementation of coordination mechanisms of the multilateral finance by the GF, countries with TB projects which demand particular atten- tion owing to the governance PAHO continues to support project mechanism required by that agen- design processes, while at the same cy. Efforts to broaden eligibility time steering its technical criteria to include middle-income cooperation to support imple- countries have led to a review of mentation of ongoing projects. The those criteria, the findings of which experience has shown that the will be presented at the next Board

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development forging ofnewpartnerships. Anew expansion processthrough the continued itsstrengthening and Heritage RecoveryProgram CAF for nextstepsinthisarea. experts inordertorefineaproposal use bymemberStateliteracy OAS organizedaVirtualForumfor request ofthememberStates, February 2007meeting.Atthe Committee onEducation(CIE)atits authorities oftheInter-American Initiative” fordiscussionbythe the basedocument“OASLiteracy Culture (DEC)oftheOASprepared Department ofEducationand UNESCO, CREFAL, and out consultationswithOEI, tions inthisfield,theDECcarried by otherinternationalorganiza- extensive workbeingcarriedout raguay andUruguay. Given the la, Barbados,Canada,México,Pa- Ecuador, UnitedStates,Guatema- Argentina, Colombia,CostaRica, Group in2006:Brazil,Venezuela, teering tobepartoftheWorking the followingcountriesvolun- could bestmeetthismandate,with formed toadviseonhowthe Working Groupofcountrieswas Committee onEducation(CIE),a By decisionoftheInter-American countries. (Paragraph55) into accountsuccessfulexperiencesinordertoadvancetowardstheeradicationofilliteracyour To develop, withintheframeworkofOAS,before2008,studyaliteracyprogram,taking than technicalandforthatreason by nature,aremorepolicyoriented Meeting oftheGF. Thediscussions, ’s Vocational Training and IDB . The OAS nature inspecificareas. of aneducationalandcultural implementing cooperation projects business groupforthepurposeof was establishedwiththeGhella new actors.Thus,apartnership consolidation orinvolvementof phase ofdevelopmentand enabled initiationofasubsequent and successfulresultsthathave These projectshaveproducedsolid communities tofindemployment. young peoplefromexcluded purpose ofbothprojectsistohelp training foryoungpeople.The provide computerandtechnology Superatec CentersinCaracasthat ding techniques,aswelltwo young offendersininnovativebuil- which providestrainingforformer the MunicipalityofRevenga, Escuela delConstructorPopularin tensified inVenezuela throughthe more in2007.Measureswerein- tries andwillincorporatethree through 11schoolsinfourcoun- At present,CAFprovidessupport basic tradesandheritagerecovery. Andean regionthroughtrainingin the workshopschoolsin (AECI) inordertostrengthenallof national CooperationAgency lidated withtheSpanishInter- regional partnershipwasconso- barrier totheregion’s countries. tries iscriticaltoremovingthis the supportofforeignminis- Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

To promote, within the framework of the OAS, the exchange of experiences for the implementation of electronic education programs articulating means, resources, and tools aimed at strengthening and enriching the educational processes in schools, including the use of new information and communication technologies. (Paragraph 56)

The OAS is currently implemen- quality and the quantity of locally ting a pilot of a distance education developed educational material, course for educators on teaching while improving access in mar- democratic values and practices, in ginalized and remote locations to a collaboration with member State larger volume of educational governments and civil society content. organizations. The OAS is also implementing a project to translate Based on the successful Canadian and adapt the course to the needs Computers for School program of education ministries in the (CFS), ICA in partnership with Caribbean. These initiatives form Industry Canada (IC) and the OAS’s part of the “Professional Develop- Executive Secretariat for Integral ment Component of the Inter- Development (SEDI), has continued American Program on Education to support the regional disse- for Democratic Values and Practi- mination of the program, aimed at ces”, an initiative of the OAS. (For building local capacity in LAC more information see www.edu- countries to plan and implement cadem.oas.org) computer-refurbishing programs as part of an integrated national ICA has actively supported the strategy for connectivity, digital articulation of educational efforts literacy and social inclusion. at the regional level through initiatives such as (a) “RELPE – “FRIDA, the Regional Fund for Latin American Network of Digital Research in the Americas”, Educational Portals” (www.rel- is a regional fund for the deve- pe.org), (b) “Computers for Com- lopment of ICT research and munities” (www.cfc.net), and (c) technical skills to promote “FRIDA, the Regional Fund for development in Latin America and Digital Research” (www.progra- the Caribbean. This program funds mafrida.net) research projects that fulfill one of the following objectives: develop- ICA, in partnership with Fundación ment or adaptation of new tech- Chile and the Ministries of nologies and standards; innovative Education of several countries of social use of ICT for development; Latin America, launched “RELPE” and modernization of public as a network of national edu- policies and regulations. The cational portals designed to freely initiative aims at increasing the circulate and share educational knowledge on ICT for development materials produced locally and, in doing so empowering local throughout the region. This regio- research groups. nal project aims at increasing the

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 143 144

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Social Development activities forthismandate,please For informationrelatingtothe Social CharteroftheAmericasanditsPlanAction.(Paragraph57) To encouragetheworknowunderway intheOAS,toconcludesuccessfullynegotiationof 11 En OAS isactivelyworkingwith Development, forwhichreasonthe First MeetingofMinistersSocial dor withdrewitsoffertohostthe 2007, theGovernmentofElSalva- In acommunicationsentinMarch (Paragraph 58) the commitmentsincludedinthisPlanofActionthatpertaintoscopetheircompetencies. regular sessionsoftheOASGeneral Assembly, toconsider, amongothers,theprogressasregards Salvador, inagreementwithresolution AG/RES. 1984(XXXIV-O/04) ofthethirty-fourthperiod To callupontheFirstInter-American Meeting of SocialDevelopment MinisterstobeheldinEl www .educadem.oas.org apareceinformación adicional. .educadem.oas.org OAS Declaration. refer toMandate71ofthe meeting. offered tohosttheaforementioned Government ofChilerecently venue andtheagenda.The member statestodetermineanew Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 145 146

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Strengthen Democratic Governance

Taking into account the theme of the Mar del Plata Summit and bearing in mind that our concept of security is multidimensional, to promote through concrete actions, at the national, sub-regional, hemispheric, and global levels, the implementation of the commitments identified in the Declaration on Security in the Americas. (Paragraph 61)

In 2006, CAF continued to im- Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela, has plement the governance programs continued to carry out its training that it has been carrying out at the activities aimed at forming a regional level based on the premise critical mass of government that it is important is to generate officials in the region. The broad potential forums to strengthen objective is to generate a com- democratic governance in coun- prehensive overview of the tries and strengthen peaceful problems associated with economic coexistence among citizens and social development, and the through dialogue and consensus capacity to articulate that vision in building. The pro-grams, which an integral framework of action are framed under four lines of that takes into account technical action to do with good governance, elements, negotiation, and political, incorporate the crosscutting economic, and social feasibility. themes of ethics in transparency The Program lasts eight months a in government and in citizen year. By the end of 2006 the administration, as well as human Program had turned out 3,844 capacity building to enhance graduates in the five above- implementation and unders- mentioned countries. tanding of the exercise of good governance in the context of each The Leadership for Change Pro- country. gram, founded on the principle that there should be a balance between The Governance and Political the different sectors that make up a Management Program, which has nation –public, private, and civil been underway since 2001 in society– seeks to eliminate existing partnership with George Was- constraints, pave the way for new hington University and with local generations, and stren-gthen the universities in Bolivia, Colombia, recovery of civic and democratic

Achievements of the Summits of the Americas. Progress since Mar del Plata . 147 148

.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance out throughfourworkshops: concerned. Theprogramis carried interests andneedsofthe sectors agreements thatsatisfy the consensus andreach better and methodologiestobuild members ofthepublicwithtools interact onapermanentbasiswith and civilsocietyactorswho designed toprovidepublicsector Consensus-Building programis The Tools forGovernance and in thelandregistry cipalities ine-governmentandfive across theregionstoodat22muni- to 614andmunicipalcoverage government andlandregistrycame tal numberofofficialstrainedine- contexts. Bytheendof2006,to- registry insimilarsociopolitical riences ine-governmentandland practices andsuccessfulexpe- identification andtransferofbest providing servicesthroughthe and administrativecapabilitiesin in ordertoimprovetheirtechnical governments inAndeancountries, assistance andtrainingtolocal was createdtoprovidetechnical Municipalities (MuNet)program The EfficientandTransparent different countries. municipalities overallinthe its coverageencompassing658 provided trainingto3,926leaders, bia, Peru, andVenezuela) and in fourcountries(Bolivia,Colom- Program hadbeenimple-mented reality oftheircontext.By2006,the future inaccordancewiththe the commitmenttobuildabetter order toenablethemcarryout leaders, bothmenandwomen,in per year, aimstotrainnatural which istaughtforeightmonths values insociety. TheProgram, port. Withtheimminent creation guarantees totheclients of each that offersspecificservice quality consists ofamanagement model Garantía. [SealofQuality]. This from therighttouseMarcade community inordertobenefit other membersoftheport by thedifferentoperatorsand definition ofrequirementstobemet This redesignprocessledtothe cesses design orre-engineercriticalpro- services providedbytheportand cils wastoanalyzethechainof community. ThetaskoftheCoun- and collectivesintheport represent thevariousassociations port with30memberswho Quality Councilwassetupineach (Ecuador), andCallao(Peru).A ventura (Colombia),Guayaquil nezuela), CartagenaandBuena- tainer traffic:PuertoCabello(Ve- chosen fortheirhighvolumeofcon- the programfiveportswere services. Duringthefirstphaseof aims toimprovethequalityofport principal portsofSouthAmerica, port, andtheperformanceof competitiveness, maritimetrans- previous studiesonlogistics, cia, Spain.Theprogram,basedon Universidad Politécnica deValen- collaboration betweenCAFandthe the resultofseveralyears The First-ClassPortsProgramis Venezuela. mented inColombia,Ecuador, and gram willcontinuetobeimple- 80 personspercountry. Thepro- the numberofparticipantscameto public sector. Bythecloseof2006, and strategicrelationswiththe cation, leadershipandpersuasion, negotiation, strategiccommuni- Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

of the Latin American Association region, the necessary institutional of Port Quality, a non-profit entity framework will be put in place for that will function as the proprietor the sustained operation of this of the Marca de Garantía in the quality management system.

To continue supporting and strengthening the functioning of the bodies of the Inter-American System of Human Rights, promoting within the political bodies of the OAS, in the framework of the ongoing reflection process, concrete actions to achieve, among other objectives, greater adhesion to the legal instruments, an effective observance of the decisions by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and due consideration of the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, and the improvement of access of the victims to the mechanisms of the system, and the adequate financing of the bodies of the System, including the fostering of voluntary contributions. (Paragraph 62)

The thematic studies examined by commitment of each Commissioner the Inter-American Commission not to participate in the discussion, on Human Rights (IACHR) at its investigation, deliberation or 122nd regular session included the decision of general or specific enjoyment of economic, civil, and matters presented to the IACHR’s cultural rights. In this respect, the consideration when they are a Commission held a hearing that national of the State under emphasized in part the right to consideration, in accordance with education in Colombia and a gene- the express requirements of Article ral hearing on the right to housing 17 of the Commission’s Rules of in the Americas. Procedure.

During this session, with a view to In addition, the Commission, the continued strengthening of its together with the International dialogue with the Caribbean, the Service of Human Rights and the IACHR maintained its practice of Faculty of Law of the American meeting with the Permanent University, co-sponsored a training Representatives to the OAS of course for members of civil society numerous Caribbean Community organizations, in which 16 sixteen (CARICOM) member states, in human rights defenders from 10 order to discuss human rights and member states of the OAS parti- related issues of mutual concern. cipated.

Further, the Commission adopted On April 25 and 26, 2006, the and published its Resolution 1/05 IACHR and the Commonwealth in which it reaffirmed the Secretariat co-sponsored a work- international obligation of OAS shop in St John’s, Antigua and Bar- member states to comply with its buda, on the ratification and imple- precautionary measures. In the mentation of international and re- same resolution, the Commission gional human rights instruments. reiterated the ethical and legal The workshop, convened at the

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance Inter-American Commissionon Court ofHumanRightsandthe members oftheInter-American between thememberstatesand Political Affairs,thedialogue Committee onJuridicaland hold, withintheframeworkof The IACHRcontinuesannuallyto pated. than 10Caribbeanstatespartici- government officialsfrommore human rightsinstruments.Over20 menting internationalandregional involved inratifyingandimple- systems aswelltheprocedures and Inter-Americanhumanrights participation intheUnitedNations training ontheimportanceoffull Caribbean regionwithintensive officials fromgovernmentsofthe Antigua &Barbuda,provided invitation oftheGovernment Funding Planproposedbythe JSCA addition, itrecommended thatthe to continueitsvaluablework. In andencouragedthe Center (JSCA) Studies CenteroftheAmericas efforts andactivitiesoftheJustice meeting, theREMJArecognized go, DominicanRepublic.Atthis April 24-26,2006inSantoDomin- the Americas(REMJA-VI)washeld Ministers orAttorneysGeneralof ting ofMinistersJusticeor issue ofextradition,theSixthMee- In ordertomakeprogressinthe (Paragraph 65) Meetings ofMinistersJusticeorAttorneysGeneraltheAmericas(REMJA). of theGeneralSecretariatOASintheseissues,accordancewithframework andstrengthentheinstitutionaldevelopment for theJusticeStudiesCenterof Americas (JSCA), Criminal MattersandExtradition,supporttheactionsforimplementationofastrategicplan To consolidatetheHemisphericInformationExchange Network forMutualLegal Assistance in for HumanRights and theInter-AmericanInstitute Inter-American Court,theIACHR, Rica, withthesponsorshipof Rights, washeldinSanJose,Costa System fortheProtectionofHuman on theUseofInter-American Ministry andGovernmentOfficials cialized CourseforForeign the Americas,SecondSpe- mandates oftheFourthSummit Finally, andinaccordancewiththe and increasetheireffectiveness. rapporteurs, inordertostrengthen rules forthedesignationofspecial its RulesofProcedureandto IACHR approvedamendmentsto At is126thregularsession,the system operates. inter-American humanrights Human Rightsontheway both thepublicandprivate compo- OAS nal MattersandExtradition, the Mutual LegalAssistancein Crimi- Information ExchangeNetwork for With regardstotheHemispheric will beheldinColombia. Criminal MattersandExtradition Experts onMutualAssistancein of CentralAuthoritiesandOther regular session.TheThirdMeeting the GeneralAssemblyanditsnext be presentedforconsiderationto hascontinuouslyupdated Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

nents on the Mutual Assistance Salvador, Guatemala, Jamaica, website. Currently, all 34 member Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Para- states have provided information guay, Peru, Saint Lucia, Trinidad for their respective webpage, and Tobago, the United States, Uru- which provides an introduction to guay, and Venezuela. that country’s legal system; links to legislation and model documents With regards to strengthening the related to Mutual Assistance in Cri- institutional development of the minal Matters and Extradition; and OAS General Secretariat, the links to bilateral treaties and Permanent Council convened the multilateral instruments12. The “Special Meeting of the OAS/REMJA “Hemispheric Information Ex- Working Group on Mutual Assis- change Network” also includes a tance in Criminal Matters and secure electronic communication Extradition” in Montreal, Canada, system, which has seen an increase from March 26 to 27, 2007. The in the number of participants in the purpose of this meeting was to project from 17 to 23. Participating consider how to order the work of countries include: Argentina, The REMJA related to the strengthening Bahamas, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, of mutual assistance and extra- Chile, Colombia, Dominica, dition in the Americas. Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El

To cooperate with solidarity with the Haitian people in their efforts to revitalize the democratic institutions, fight poverty, and foster equitable socio-economic development, including, the creation of decent work through, among others, greater support from the international financial institutions and cooperation agencies, and implement disarmament, demobilization, and reinsertion programs (DDR), with the support of MINUSTAH and the Special Mission of the OAS for the Strengthening of Democracy in Haiti. (Paragraph 66)

The OAS Special Mission for zens over 18. Of a total of 4.4 million Strengthening Democracy in Haiti persons, 3.56 million were regis- has been engaged in joint activities tered. The registration process, with the Provisional Electoral which generated the identity cards, Council of Haiti on the develop- also served for the automatic ment of electoral systems that compilation of the voters lists that enabled the distribution of identity were used in both electoral documents to citizens, as well as processes. The permanence and the management of vote counting security of this information will and the attendant transmission of enable Haiti to hold other electoral results. A mass registration and processes in the future without the identity card distribution cam- need for citizens to re-register. paign was carried out for all citi-

12 To access the individual country pages, click on any country link on the left-hand side of the following page: http://www.oas.org/juridico/MLA/en/index.html.

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance which PAHO activelyparticipated. the HaitiGroupofFriends, in ce during2006,aswell within PAHO taskforcesforHaititookpla- level meetingswithintheOAS and of informationandregularhigh- Nicaragua. To theseends,exchange Bolivia, Guyana,Hondurasand special assistance,togetherwith priority countriesidentifiedfor Haiti isoneofthe elections. transparent, participatoryandfair ening institutionsinordertohold the CivilStatusRegistry, strength- comprehensive moder-nizationof documentation processandtothe capacities tocontinuetheidentity gthening anddevelopingtechnical The OASiscommittedtostren- or attributes. Registry, accordingtoregionand/ from theCivilStatusandIdentity consistent andpromptinformation design developmentplanswith statistics tohelpthegovernment elections. Itwillalsoyieldvital in more-efficientservicesand to thegeneralpopulation,resulting secure andofferimprovedservices that processesarebetterorganized, Civil StatusRegistry, willensure process, electoralprocesses,andthe citizen identitycardissuing The projectonintegrationofthe human resources. already acquiredaswelltrained information technologyresources for thatpurposethecurrent card printingsysteminHaiti,using installation ofitsownidentity- the reopeningofitsofficesuntil Permanent IdentityRegistry, from to transferandlendsupportthe The mainpurposeofthisprojectis PAHO /WHO (SIDA), theEuropeanCommission national DevelopmentAgency World Bank ment Agency(CIDA),the Canadian InternationalDevelop- Development (USAID),the the U.S.AgencyforInternational inter-American entities,includes Haiti, apartfromOASandthe WHO's networkofpartnersin system forthecountry. PAHO/ to restoreafunctioninghealth well asnumerousotherpartners PAHO isworking withtheMoHas development inHaiti. priorities towardsnationalhealth and lessonslearntregardinghealth views, achievements,challenges for externalpartnerstoshare (MoH) andhisofficialsaswell ster ofHealthandPopulation an opportunitybothfortheMini- Headquarters anditrepresented out inSeptember2006atPAHO on Haiti–“HaitiDay”wascarried different partners.Aspecialsession jointly withnewauthoritiesand agenda forhealthdevelopment place inordertodefineastrategic high-level missionstoHaititook During 2006,several PAHO/WHO stabilization ofHaiti. ched lastDecember2006forthe “UN Transitional Appeal” laun- WHO activelyparticipatedinthe Within theUNSystem,PAHO/ strongly encouraged. cooperation approachesshouldbe respect totechnicalissuesand to improvingcoordinationwith to Haitianneedsandcommitment as atechnicalcooperationresponse information-sharing mechanism agreed thatacallforsystematic In theseopportunities,itwas , theSwedish Inter- IDB , the Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

(EC), UN agencies, non-government particularly to diseases like mala- organizations, local health ria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. authorities and many others. The World Bank’s “Haiti Electricity PAHO/WHO has been responsible Loss Reduction Project” has the for the distribution of vaccines and objective to contribute to the other essential drugs in Haiti sustainable improvement in the through “PROMESS “and for quality of electricity services in implementing several donor Haiti to customers and to the funded projects. Amongst the strengthening of the financial and technical issues addressed through operational performance of the these grants are: strengthening electricity public utility (EPH). The emergency disaster response, “Haiti Community Driven implementation of a compre- Development Project” will scale-up hensive HIV/AIDS care program; the direct transfer of public regulation and access of essential resources to local community generic medicines; creating healthy organizations in poor rural and environments; basic health care peri-urban communities. The needs of the most vulnerable and “Second Economic Governance underserved; support to immu- Technical Assistance Project” will nization activities; injection safety; further assist the Government of and, scaling-up of the strategy for Haiti in strengthening its integrated management of institutional capacity in the areas childhood illnesses. PAHO/WHO’s of public sector resource recent efforts also included work on management and improved both humanitarian relief and responsiveness to citizen needs and addressing post-emergency health demands. constraints. A High Level CDB mission visited PAHO/WHO is also working to Haiti in January 2007 to explore strengthen the “Unités Comm- areas of focus, following Haiti’s unales de Santé (UCS)” and system inclusion as a member of CDB in of regional reference hospitals, 2007. The Bank is currently applying a strategy of decen- processing its first intervention, in tralized technical cooperation, conjunction with the World Bank, which has proven successful in on education. All of CDB’s other countries for advancing local interventions in Haiti will be health development. The strategy through the Bank’s soft window - of decentralized technical co- the “Special Development Fund operation will also be applied to (SDF)”. The Bank is using the border areas with the Dominican “Interim Cooperation Framework Republic. The interdependency of (ICF)” as the context for its work in the economies and populations in Haiti. both Haiti and the Dominican Republic also demand a bi-national IOM’s “Rehabilitation and Sta- approach in many of the economic bilization Program (PRESE)” and social interventions. This bi- (formerly HTI) funded by USAID, national approach is to be applied has contributed toward the stabi-

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance that arehosttosignificantand ments withneighboringcountries bilateral labormigrationagree- support totheGoHinformulating countries, andprovidetechnical opportunities inneighboring take upshort-termwagelabor Haitian migrantsthatregularly provide supportandprotectionto Government ofHaiti(GoH)to strengthen thecapacityof Haiti” seekstosignificantly IOM’s “LaborMigrationProjectin school. children inCitéSoleiltoreturn employment, andenabled22,000 generated 657,629person-daysof culture, etc.To date,HTI/PRESEhas infrastructure projects,sports, community driven,laborintensive in sixurbancentersthrough lization oftroubledneighborhoods democratic governance,and taking tackling thepoliticalaspects of These worksaremainlyfocused on Organization’s responsecapacity. institutional crisesandimprove the that helppreventpolitical- account regionalcharacteristics methodology thattakesinto a multiple-scenarioanalysis cratic governance.Itisdeveloping situations thatcouldaffectdemo- capacity toidentifyandanalyze the Organization’s institutional crises throughthestrengtheningof vention ofpolitical-institutional The of theDeclarationFlorida,“DeliveringBenefitsDemocracy.” (Paragraph 67) bodies andtheGeneralSecretariatofOAStocontinueadvanceineffectiveimplementation development ofourpeoplesandthethemeMardelPlataSummit,werequestpolitical Recognizing theinterconnectionbetweendemocraticgovernanceandeconomicsocial OAS isfocusingonthepre- of Haitianlabormigrants. region thatreceivelargenumbers accords withcountriesinthe negotiate bilaterallabormigration GoH capacitytoformulateand project is:significantlyenhanced strategy. Theexpectedresultofthis labor migrationmanagement formulated acomprehensivelegal labor migrationagreementsand experience frompreviousbilateral mental alike,todrawonthe governmental andnon-govern- together relevantHaitianactors, tative processthatbrought expertise toguideaGoHconsul- legal andmigrationmanagement agreements bymakingavailable formulation ofbilaterallabor objectives bysupportingthe migrants. IOMachievedthese growing numbersofHaitianlabor phere’s challenges. consensus infacingthe Hemis- spectrum ofactors,and seeking tating dialogueamong a wide political-institutional crises,facili- among thepartiesandsolve was toachieveunderstanding missions. Theirprincipalobjective requested, intheformofspecial support tocountriesthathaveso In thismatter, theOAShasgiven sustainability intheregion. and strengthendemocratic on initiativesintendedtopromote Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

After developing the multiple- give technical support to Special scenario-analysis methodology, the Missions that may occur or are OAS will proceed in its implemen- requested by Member States and/ tation utilizing various learned or the Secretary General. techniques, and will continue to

To request the General Secretariat of the OAS to present for the consideration of the political bodies of the Organization, before 2007, an inter-American program including the exchange of experiences and best practices to strengthen in our countries mechanisms for the participation and collaboration in governance by civil society organizations, the private sector, and the citizenry at large, specifically in the development of public policy for the generation of employment and the fight against poverty, including local governments, in a framework of inclusive social dialogue that takes into account the vulnerability of the most excluded sectors of our societies. (Paragraph 68)

In order to help fulfill its Inter-American Workshop-Semi- commitment to civil society nars: participation, the OAS, through Competitive Participation of the Inter-American Government SMEs in Government Procure- Procurement Program, supported ment, Mexico, May 2006. the activities of the “Inter- Standardization of Government American Network on Govern- Procurement Practices, Costa ment Procurement.” This initiative Rica, July 2006. seeks to improve transparency, Professional Development and efficiency and equity in government Training on Government Procu- procurement practices in the rement, Ecuador, September 2006. region. A total of five workshop- Strategies for Government Pro- seminars were held with the curement Development, Brazil, participation of high-ranking September 2006. officers in charge of government Links between Government Pro- procurement in member states. curement and Financial Systems, These workshop-seminars provi- Paraguay, September 2006 ded opportunities to exchange III Conference of the Americas on experiences, discuss lessons Government Procurement, Peru, learned, and identify specific November 2006. guidelines of cooperation. The countries also agreed to promote In addition, the Program’s website institutional cooperation to comply contributed to the dissemination of with the Program’s 2007 Plan of improvements and developments Action. in the area of Government Pro- curement in the Hemisphere, and The Network also identified five provided a mechanism to foster priority areas of cooperation for the technical cooperation initiatives development of government related to Government Procure- procurement. Each of these areas ment. was addressed at the following

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance adoption ofICTs tostrengthen with emphasisontheuseand ment strategiesatthelocallevel, ting e-democracyande-govern- analyzing theimpactofimplemen- lolén, Chile,withtheobjectiveof ted inthemunicipalityofPeña- Participation”, aprojectimplemen- Transparency andCitizen Local DemocraticStrengthening, area includethe“ImpactofICTs in tools. Supportedinitiativesinthis nance inLACthroughtheuseofICT strengthening democraticgover- nal initiativesthatcontributeto ICA were offeredtraining482 public course. During2006,six courses Caribbean haveparticipated inthe from LatinAmericaand the To date, over 1,880public officials the regionandtogeneralpublic. with eightinstitutionsfromaround has beenofferedincollaboration English, SpanishandPortuguese, Currently thecourse,availablein tration andperformance. parency, andimproved adminis- strategy forincreasedtrans- be presentinanE-Government benefits andadvantagesthatmust knowledge ofthemainconcepts, acquire andconsolidatesolid objective isforparticipantsto ment Policies’,whosemain Formulation ofElectronicGovern- line Course‘Introductiontothe from activities inthisarea.Withagrant The exchange ofexperienceswiththecountriesthathavemadeprogressinthisfield.(Paragraph69) To encourage,throughtheOAS,regionaltrainingprogramsine-government, andpromotethe isprovidingsupporttoregio- OAS ICA hasimplementedseveral , theOAScreated“On- region’s practitioners. collaborative actionsamongthe synergies, sharedlearning,and practices, asawaytopromote lessons learnedone-government disseminate experiencesand phase ofoperations,toshareand supported byICAinitssecond chanism thatcontinuestobe proved tobeaneffectiveme- boration withSEDI/OAS,has GeALC)”, implementedincolla- of E-GovernmentLeaders(Red pation. The“HemisphericNetwork transparency andcitizenpartici- as the support oftheOAS,ICA, aswell countries oftheregionwith the through aninitiativefrom the GEALC)”, whichwas created America andtheCaribbean (RED Government LeadersofLatin commitment isthe“Networkofe- Another initiativesupportingthis format. both electronicandtraditionaltext that itmaybeofferedinHaiti, translate thecourseintoFrenchso there areplanstoadaptand rested institutions.Inaddition, two incollaborationwithinte- times, sixopentotheregionand offering thecourseatleast8more Plans for2007-2008include the UniversidadeduSulinBrazil. nication Technologies (OPTIC);and Information andTelecommu- Republic’s PresidentialOfficefor officials, includingtheDominican IDB . Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

The members of “RED GEALC”, sharing of experiences on e- responsible for the advancement of Government among the countries electronic government in their res- of the region include: pective countries, conceived this network as a supporting tool for “EGobex”. An online clearing their daily activities. The sup- house of e-Government solutions porting institutions found in “RED owned by the governments of the GEALC” the perfect instrument for region; promoting horizontal cooperation Different workshops on mobile and joint efforts among Latin government, interoperability and American and Caribbean countries e-government legislation. in the field of e-Government. The network is comprised of 61 The “MuNet” program, a joint members from 31 countries. initiative of the OAS and the Canadian International Develop- RED GEALC utilizes the following ment Agency (CIDA), supports mechanisms to facilitate the municipalities in their efforts to exchange of experiences: take advantage of information and communication technologies to “Virtual Working Platform”, increase efficiency, transparency which offers a content manage- and participation in their daily ment tool for the decentralization functioning. The program has two of each country’s page content, a components, e-Government and training room, virtual forums, Cadastre, both looking at chats, calendar, information providing benefiting munici- about e-Government from each palities with access to recognized country, and an experts database; experiences and experts in both “Onsite Workshops” focusing on areas. best practices in e-Government (Chile, Peru, Brazil, Trinidad and As part of its e-Government Tobago, Ottawa, , activities, “MuNet” offers the Bogotá); municipalities a comprehensive Two facilitators (Caribbean and supporting package that includes: Latin America) responsible for training to the mayors of the dynamizing the network, respon- participating municipalities; diag- ding to countries´ needs and nosis on ICT, transparency and implementing the working plan; efficiency; training of municipal “Horizontal Cooperation Fund employees; consulting to prepare an (FOCOH)” that finances the e-Government strategy; virtual exchange of experts; working space to facilitate Working groups for multi-coun- exchanges among participating try cooperation and coordination municipalities; and technological in topics of interest for member kits. Currently, 21 municipalities countries. Five working groups from 11 countries are benefiting are currently in operation; from “MuNet” support.

Planned activities to further During 2007, with the support of promote the cooperation and CIDA, the OAS is planning a second

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.Report ofthe JointSummit Working Group Strengthen Democratic Governance officials andpractitioners through among Latin America’s public courses havebeendistributed Between 2005and2006,over 410 parent andmoreefficient. property processesmoretrans- by makingcadastreandland systems (GIS),improvegovernance specifically geospatialinformation on howthelatesttechnologies, practices fromdifferentcountries The courseintroducesbest Management” (GestiónCatastral). in Spanishentitled“Cadastre is theCDbasedself-studycourse One ofMuNet’s trainingstrategies management forbettergovernance. technology toimprovecadastre training intheincorporationof la, MuNetprovidessignificant Ecuador, ElSalvador andVenezue- municipalities fromCostaRica, dating projectsinparticipating of cadastreandlandregistryup- In additiontotheimplementation property taxcollection. participation andevenimproved better planning,increasedcitizen property registrytobeusedfor updated cadastreandland e-government toolthatenables (GIS) togivedecision-makersaan geospatial informationsystems (CIDA,) integratestheuseof national DevelopmentAgency supported bytheCanadianInter- “MuNet Program”,whichis The Cadastrecomponentofthe and theCaribbean. MuNets throughoutLatinAmerica MuNet Itosetupdifferentnational methodology developedthrough that buildsupontheexperienceand version ofMuNete-Government cadastre andlandregistry. scored theneedforlegislation on nic manage-menttools, under- advantages ofintroducing electro- from theseminar, inadditiontothe plans. Specificrecommen-dations shared experiences,projectsand Ecuador, Peru andVenezuela directors fromBolivia,Colombia, over 30mayorsandcadastre organized. Duringtheseminar, for theAndeancountrieswas pality ofQuito,atrainingseminar (CIFAL-Atlanta) andtheMunici- Training ofLocal Authorities with theInternationalCenterfor In June2006andincollaboration and publicservants. the regionsmunicipalassociations presented weredistributedamong seminars andbestpractices ning theproceedingsof 2006, over515copiesofCDscontai- of bestpractices.During2005and for informationandtheexchange organization oftrainingseminars training componentsincludesthe ment, anotherof“MuNet’s” riences inthisaspectofe-govern- countries withsuccessfulexpe- exchange ofexperiences Concerning thepromotionof tion ofthecourseacrossregion. include thecontinueddissemina- public officials.Plansfor2007-2008 pal associationsandindividual several ofLatin America’s munici- Authorities (CIFAL-Atlanta), Center forTraining ofLocal Municipalities, theInternational dor, theMexican Association of Registry Center(CNR)inElSalva- (IGAC) inColombia,theNational to GeográficoAgustínCodazzi training allianceswiththeInstitu- institutional capacitybuildingand Plan of Action of Mar del Plata. Creating Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance.

Activities for 2007 include the the Summit mandates in the field organization of a similar seminar of democratic governance and the for the Central American countries. sharing of experiences through the use of ICT tools. Within this Through a strategic alliance with framework of collaboration and the Geospatial Software firm ESRI, with the support of the Govern- specialized training in GIS has been ment of Canada, both organizations conducted. Cadastre municipal conducted an international officials from Guatemala, El Salva- workshop that took place in dor, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Vene- Ottawa, Canada, in March 2006, as zuela participated in a one-week a space to promote the regional dia- long practical training seminar. In logue and face-to-face interaction addition, the OAS has received 200 among more than 40 e-government scholarships for ESRI’s specialized leaders from Latin America and the GIS on-line training course, of Caribbean. At the OAS General which over 50 have been dis- Assembly, held in the Dominican tributed among officials from seven Republic in June 2006 on the theme of the region’s countries. Plans for of ‘Governance and Development 2007 include the continued in the Knowledge Society’, “Red distribution of these scholarships GeALC” was granted high recog- on a merit-based strategy that will nition with Ministers of Foreign benefit over 50 additional Affairs of countries of the region municipalities in the region. highlighting the role of the “Network to Advance the Know- As previously mentioned, the ICA, ledge Society in the Region”. A in collaboration with the OAS, paragraph devoted to the impor- supports the “Latin American and tance of the Network in the Caribbean e-government Network Resolution of the General Assembly (GEALC network, Phase II, is the most recent testimony of www.redgealc.net)” as a concrete value that key regional players contribution to the achievement of assign to it in the LAC region.

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