sign in sign up
<<
Home , Civil society

Manual for Civil Participation in OAS Activities

Organization of American States OAS Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Manual for civil society participation in OAS activities. p. : ill. ; cm. ISBN 978-0-8270-5425-7

1. Organization of American States. 2. Civil society—America—Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3. Non-governmental organizations. 4. Political participation—America. 5. Responsibility—Political aspects. 6. Responsibility—Social aspects. I. Organization of American States. Department of International Affairs. JZ5340.M36 2010 (E)

©2009 Organization of American States (OAS) All rights reserved.

The material in this work is copyrighted. Copying and or transmitting portions or all of this work without permission may be in violation of applicable . The Department of International Affairs encourages dissemination of its work and will normally grant permission promptly.

For permission or photocopy or reprint any part of this work, please send a request with complete information to:

Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Organization of American States 17 St & Ave, NW Washington, DC 20006 - USA Telephone: 202-458-6072 Fax: 202-458-6319

The text contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views of the Member States or their representatives. Table of Contents

Abbreviations 2 Preface 3

The Organization of American States and Civil Society 4 Bodies of the OAS 5 General Assembly 5 Councils of the OAS 5 General Secretariat 6 Pillars of the OAS 7 Strengthening and Access to Justice 7 Promotion and Protection of 10 Multidimensional Security 11 Integral Development 13 Specialized Organizations and Other Entities 16

Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities 18 Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities 18 Registration of Civil Society Organizations in the OAS 20 Requirements for CSO Registration 20 Benefits of Registration 20 Registration Procedures 21 Mechanisms of Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings 22 Participation in Meetings of the Permanent Council, CIDI, and their Subsidiary Bodies 22 Procedures for Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings 23 Cooperation Agreements 24 Procedures for Cooperation Agreements between Civil Society Organizations and the OAS 25

Summits of the Americas and Civil Society 26 Summit Follow-Up Mechanisms 27 Opportunities for Civil Society Participation in the Summits Process 27 Civil Society in the Summits of the Americas 28 First Summit of the Americas – Miami, Florida, United States 28 Summit on Sustainable Development – Santa Cruz, Bolivia 28 Second Summit of the Americas – Santiago, Chile 28 Third Summit of the Americas – Quebec City, Canada 29 Special Summit of the Americas – Monterrey, Mexico 29 Fourth Summit of the Americas – Mar del Plata, Argentina 30 Fifth Summit of the Americas – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago 30

MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 2 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Abbreviations

OAS Organization of American States CSO Civil Society Organization(s) CIDI Inter-American Council for Integral Development of the OAS CAJP Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the Permanent Council of the OAS CAAP Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs of the Permanent Council of the OAS CHS Committee on Hemispheric Security of the Permanent Council of the OAS CISC Committee on Inter-American Summits and Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities of the Permanent Council CEPCIDI Permanent Committee of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development DIA Department of International Affairs SER Secretariat for External Relations SPA Secretariat for Political Affairs DECO Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation DSDSM Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions DSMG Department of Modernization and Governance SLA Secretariat for Legal Affairs REMJA Meetings of Ministers of Justice or of Ministers or Attorneys General of the Americas IACHR Inter-American Commission on Human Rights SMS Secretariat for Multidimensional Security CICAD Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission MEM Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism OID Inter-American Observatory on Drugs CICTE Inter-American Committee against Terrorism CIFTA Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials DPS Department of Public Security SEDI Executive Secretariat for Integral Development FEMCIDI Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development DHDEC Department of Human Development, Education and Culture DEDTT Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism SICE Foreign Trade Information System IIN Inter-American Children’s Institute CIM Inter-American Commission of Women JSCA Justice Studies Center of the Americas MESICIC Inter-American Program for Cooperation and the Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption DSD Department of Sustainable Development IIHR Inter-American Institute of Human Rights CJI Inter-American Juridical Committee CITEL Inter-American Telecommunications Commission PCC Permanent Consultative Committees CIP Inter-American Committee on Ports CARICOM Caribbean PAHO Pan American Health Organization IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture IDB Inter-American Development Bank ECLAC UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean CAF Andean Development Corporation SIRG Summit Implementation Review Group JSWG Joint Summit Working Group CABEI Central American Bank for Economic Integration CDB Caribbean Development Bank IOM International Organization for Migration ILO International Labor Organization ICA Institute for Connectivity in the Americas

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 3 Preface

Article 6 of the Inter-American Democratic , underscores that “it is the right and responsibility of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to their own development” and that “promoting and fostering diverse forms of participation strengthens democracy.” Similarly, Article 26 of the Charter establishes that the Organization of American States (OAS) will consult and cooperate on an ongoing basis with Member States to take into account the contributions of civil society organizations (CSOs) working in those fields. As a result, the OAS continues to carry out programs and activities designed to promote democratic principles and practices and strengthen a democratic culture in the Hemisphere. The Organization has created spaces for dialogue for civil society to inform and respond to critical issues in the inter-American system and contribute to the set forth by the OAS General Assembly and by the Heads of State and in the Summits of the Americas, as well as Ministerial and other high-level meetings. The purpose of this Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities, prepared by the Department of International Affairs, is to clarify the mechanisims through which CSOs can participate in OAS activities and contribute to the formulation of hemispheric . In addition, the Manual provides a summary of the structure and work areas of the Organization as well as the guiding principles for CSO participation. This Manual is an on-going effort by the OAS to reach out to CSOs and strengthen their involvement in the formulation and implementation of the inter-American agenda, the Summits of the Americas, and the goals of the OAS. We hope that you find the Manual useful.

José Miguel Insulza Secretary General Organization of American States

Modern require the participation of all actors to confront the complex challenges in the world. Civil society fulfills a fundamental role in public policies. The generation of democracy is enriched when all parties involved actively participate in the decisions that affect their futures. —José Miguel Insulza

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 4 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

The Organization of American States the OAS has expanded to include Canada (OAS) is the foremost political forum in and the Caribbean states. the Hemisphere for multilateral dialogue The OAS Charter has been amended and the establishment of the inter- four times through the Protocol of American agenda. The OAS plays a Buenos Aires (1967), the Protocol of fundamental role in promoting , Cartagena de Indias (1985), the Protocol democracy, justice, and solidarity, of Washington (1992), and the Protocol of strengthening cooperation, and defending Managua (1993). The Protocol of Buenos the , territorial integrity, and Aires established the Organization’s independence of its Member States. The present structure and the Protocol of Organization’s vision is based on Cartagena de Indias strengthened the consensus, dialogue, and cooperation for Organization’s political role in the the economic, social, and political Hemisphere. Later, additional development of the region. amendments were introduced through The First International Conference of the Protocol of Washington, which American States, inaugurated on October provides that one of the essential aims of 2, 1889 in Washington, D.C., founded the the OAS is to promote, through International Union of American action, the economic, social, and its Commercial Bureau, and cultural development of Member which served as Secretariat until 1910, States and help to eradicate extreme until it became the Pan-American Union. poverty in the region. Finally, the Protocol For half a century, the Pan-American of Managua established the Inter- Union was the forum in which agreements American Council for Integral and conventions were concluded to Development (CIDI) whose function is to institutionalize legal, economic, social, facilitate cooperation among Member and cultural cooperation in the Americas. States on economic and social issues. At the Ninth International Conference The Inter-American Democratic of American States, held in Bogotá on Charter was adopted on September 11, April 30, 1948, 21 nations of the 2001 by a special session of the General Hemisphere adopted the Charter that Assembly of the Organization of transformed the Pan-American Union into American States, held in Lima, Peru. The the OAS. That conference confirmed Democratic Charter is the most important support for the Organization’s common instrument for strengthening and principles and respect for the sovereignty upholding democratic in the of each Member State. Since that time, nations of the Americas. The Charter,

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 5 The Organization of American States and Civil Society which is binding for all OAS Member General Assembly States, defines democracy and specifies how it should be defended when it is The General Assembly is the supreme under threat. organ of the Organization. It gathers the The Inter-American Democratic Member States each year in a regular Charter refers to the importance of civil session, and also holds special sessions society participation in Articles 6 and 26 under particular circumstances. All of its text. Recognizing the important Member States of the Organization are role of the OAS on this matter, Article 26 represented in the General Assembly provides that “the OAS will continue to and have the right to one vote. carry out programs and activities The General Assembly decides upon designed to promote democratic the general action and of the principles and practices and strengthen Organization, determines the structure a democratic culture in the Hemisphere, and functions of its organs, adopts its bearing in mind that democracy is a way program-budget, fixes the quotas, and of life based on and enhancement considers any matter relating to friendly of economic, social, and cultural relations among the Member States. conditions for the peoples of the Americas. The OAS will consult and Councils of the OAS cooperate on an ongoing basis with Member States and take into account The OAS has two Councils that are the contributions of civil society directly subordinate to the General organizations working in those fields.” Assembly: the Permanent Council and the Inter-American Council for Integral It is the right and responsibility of all citizens to Development (CIDI). Each Council has participate in decisions relating to their own the authority granted to it in the OAS development. This is also a necessary condition for Charter and other inter-American the full and effective exercise of democracy. instruments, as well as the functions Promoting and fostering diverse forms of assigned to it by the General Assembly participation strengthens democracy. and the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. —Article 6, Inter-American Democratic Charter

Bodies of the OAS

The OAS carries out its activities by way of the General Assembly; the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs; the Councils (the Permanent Council and the Inter-American Council for Integral Development); the General Permanent Council Secretariat; the Inter-American Juridical Committee; the Inter-American The Permanent Council is composed of Commission on Human Rights (IACHR); one representative of each Member the specialized conferences; the State, appointed with the rank of specialized organizations; and other Ambassador. The purpose of the entities established by its governing Permanent Council is to consider bodies. matters entrusted to it by the General Assembly or the Meeting of Consultation

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 6 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

of Ministers of Foreign Affairs and also the Americas, and its mandates are sees to the maintenance of relations linked to the technical capacity of the between the Member States, contributes General Secretariat. to the peaceful settlement of disputes, CIDI is composed of representatives and serves as the Preparatory of Ministerial rank appointed by the Committee of the General Assembly. Member States in light of the topics The Permanent Council established addressed. The OAS General Secretariat five Permanent Committees: the General comprises the supporting structure of Committee, the Committee on Juridical CIDI and concentrates on policy and Political Affairs (CAJP), the formulation and design, sharing Committee on Administrative and experiences, and developing cooperation Budgetary Affairs (CAAP), the networks and partnerships with other Committee on Hemispheric Security institutions to craft and execute (CHS), and the Committee on Inter- projects. American Summits Management and The Permanent Executive Committee Civil Society Participation in OAS of CIDI (CEPCIDI) is composed of the Activities (CISC). If necessary, the Member States. The purpose of CEPCIDI Permanent Council establishes ad hoc is to adopt decisions and make committees or working groups, such as recommendations for the planning, the Special Committee on Migration programming, budgeting, management Issues and the Joint Working Group of control, follow-up and evaluation of the Permanent Council and CEPCIDI on cooperation projects and activities the drafting of the Social Charter of the executed in the CIDI. Americas. General Secretariat With regard to civil society participation in the OAS, the Permanent Council approved the The General Secretariat of the OAS following resolutions: executes the programs and policies adopted by the General Assembly and • CP/RES.759 (1217/99), “Guidelines for the the other policymaking bodies. It is Participation of Civil Society Organizations in headquartered in Washington, D.C. and OAS activities” has offices in most Member States. The Secretary General and Assistant • CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), “Strategies for Secretary General are responsible for Increasing and Strengthening Participation by the organization of the Secretariat and Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities” supervising its staff. The Secretary General is elected by • CP/RES. 864 (1413/04), “Specific Fund to the General Assembly for a five-year Support the Participation of Civil Society term. The Secretary General may not be Organizations in OAS Activities and in the re-elected more than once, nor be Summits of the American Process” succeeded by a person of the same nationality. The Secretary General is the Inter-American Council for Integral legal representative of the General Development Secretariat and participates, without the right to vote, in all the meetings of the The Inter-American Council for Integral Organization. Development (CIDI) was established in The Secretary General may bring to 1996 by the Protocol of Managua with the attention of the General Assembly or the principal purpose to promote the Permanent Council any matter that, integral and sustainable development in in his opinion, might threaten the peace

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 7 The Organization of American States and Civil Society and security of the Hemisphere or the If you would like information regarding development of the Member States. The Assistant Secretary General acts civil society participation in OAS as the Secretary of the Permanent activities, please contact: Council. The Assistant Secretary General serves as advisory officer to the Department of International Affairs Secretary General. During the temporary absence or disability of the Secretary Secretariat for External Relations General, the Assistant Secretary General Organization of American States performs the duties of the Secretary 17 St & Constitution Ave, NW General. In the event that the office of Washington, DC 20006 - USA Secretary General becomes vacant, the Assistant Secretary General shall www.civil-society.oas.org assume the duties of that office until the Telephone: 202-458-6072 General Assembly elects a new Fax: 202-458-6319 Secretary General for a full term, and until the newly-elected Secretary Email: [email protected] General assumes office. The structure of the General Secretariat includes: Pillars of the OAS

• Secretariat for Political Affairs The structure of the OAS allows for the • Executive Secretariat for Integral development of different activities that Development facilitate consensus-building and cooperation among Member States and • Secretariat for Multidimensional Security different international organizations, inter-American agencies, CSOs, the • Secretariat for Administration and private sector, academia, and other Finance stakeholders in the following fields: • Secretariat for Legal Affairs • Secretariat for External Relations • Strengthening democracy and access to justice The Department of International • Promotion and protection of human Affairs (DIA) of the Secretariat for rights External Relations (SER) is responsible Multidimensional security for advising the Secretary General on all • matters relating to civil society and • Integral development developing and executing activities and strategies designed to promote civil Strengthening Democracy and Access society participation in all of the to Justice activities related to the work of the Organization. DIA also directs and The Inter-American Democratic Charter coordinates activities in this area with all recognizes that representative the dependencies of the General democracy is vital for the stability, peace Secretariat; provides secretariat and development of the region, and that services and technical support to the one of the objectives of the OAS is to CISC of the Permanent Council, and promote and consolidate democracy coordinates the Registry of civil society with respect to the principle of non- organizations (CSOs) in the OAS. intervention.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 8 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

Secretariat for Political Affairs Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions The OAS promotes these values with the support of the Secretariat for Political The Department of Sustainable Affairs (SPA) whose mission it is to Democracy and Special Missions strengthen political processes in the (DSDSM) advises and formulates Member States and to support recommendations, provides information sustainable democracy as the best and offers technical support on matters option for ensuring peace, security, and of crisis and conflict prevention, development. management, and resolution as well as SPA consists of the Executive Office coordinates special missions and of the Secretary for Political Affairs and political observation missions. The the following dependencies: Department administers the OAS Peace Fund and programs for the peaceful • Department of Electoral Cooperation resolution of territorial disputes and Observation executed under the auspices of the Fund, • Department of Sustainable in coordination with the Secretariat for Democracy and Special Missions Multidimensional Security and the • Department for State Modernization Executive Secretariat for Integral and Development. DSDSM is comprised of the following Department of Electoral Cooperation sections: and Observation • Political Analysis and Scenarios The Department of Electoral Section Cooperation and Observation (DECO) • Special Missions Section offers professional electoral observation • Fund for Peace Section service for Member States based on the continual improvement and Department for State Modernization and strengthening of procedures and Governance practices in this field. This Department is responsible for organizing, coordinating, The Department for State Modernization and executing electoral observation and Governance (DSMG) is composed by missions, electoral technology missions, the following sections: and related missions, at the request of Member States. DECO also facilitates • Support to Legislative Institutions and supports discussions, mutual Section support, and collective learning among • Transparency and Governance electoral bodies in the Hemisphere. Section This Department carries out its • Decentralization Section activities through three work areas: • Support Section • Electoral Technical Cooperation • E-Government Section Section • Civil Registry Support Section • Electoral Observation Section • Electoral Studies and Projects Through its different sections, DSMG Section promotes the adoption of instruments and means of citizen participation in decision-making. The Department

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 9 The Organization of American States and Civil Society supports measures to improve systems Department of of representation of all sectors of the population through the various branches The Department of International Law of government and contributes to advises the General Assembly, the transparency and confidence-building in Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of government institutions. Foreign Affairs, the Permanent Council, This Department promotes political the General Secretariat, and other organs, dialogue and supports the strengthening agencies, and entities of the OAS on of democratic governance at the local matters of public and private international level as well as its institutional capacity law and the statutory and regulatory through the use of information and aspects of the functioning of those communication technologies in bodies. government. In addition, DMEG supports This Department also provides the creation and accessibility of civil secretariat support to: the Inter-American registries in order to contribute to the Juridical Committee; the Working Group universalization of civil identity and to Examine the Progress Reports of the make effective the right to identity. States Parties to the Protocol of San Salvador in accordance with the Secretariat for Legal Affairs Standards for the Preparation of Periodic Reports pursuant to Article 19 of the In order to promote and facilitate access Protocol of San Salvador on Economic, to justice in the Americas, the OAS Social, and Cultural Rights; subjects created the Secretariat for Legal Affairs relating to indigenous peoples; and the (SLA). This secretariat develops, Working Group to Prepare the Draft Inter- promotes, and implements the Inter- American Convention against Racism and American Program for the Development All Forms of Discrimination and of International Law; provides advisory Intolerance. In coordination with other services concerning international law bodies of the Organization and with and the development and of governmental institutions, such as the inter-American law; supports the follow- Inter-American Juridical Committee, and up mechanisms for certain inter- non-governmental organizations, the American conventions; serves as a Department promotes courses, meetings, depository and source of information for and seminars on legal topics of interest to inter-American treaties and the the Hemisphere. agreements of the OAS and its organs; disseminates information on the legal Department of Legal Cooperation instruments and programs of the OAS; and provides other services related to The Department of Legal Cooperation inter-American legal cooperation. provides advisory and technical SLA is comprised of the Executive secretariat services to the Meetings of Office of the Secretary and the following Ministers of Justice or other Ministers or dependencies: Attorneys General of the Americas (REMJA) and the Conference of State • Department of International Law Parties. • Department of Legal Cooperation This Department also coordinates the • Department of Special Legal Inter-American Program for Cooperation Programs and the Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (MESICIC), as a means of strengthening national law,

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 10 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

supporting institutions that fight may have suffered alleged violations of corruption, civil society participation, and their human rights. The pillars of the international organizations to follow up system are the Inter-American on, evaluate, and report corruption in the Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), region. This program was established created in 1959 and based in Washington, after the Inter-American Convention D.C., and the Inter-American of against Corruption was signed in 1996. Human Rights, established in 1979 and The Department of Legal Cooperation located in San José, Costa Rica. also advises the Consultative Committee of the Inter-American Convention against Inter-American Commission on Human the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking Rights in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials (CIFTA) as well as The Inter-American Commission on carries out projects to promote the Human Rights (IACHR) is composed of ratification, legislative implementation, seven independent commissioners and application of inter-American juridical elected by the Member States to promote and judicial cooperation treaties, in the observance and defense of human fulfillment of the resolutions of the rights. The IACHR receives, analyzes and General Assembly. investigates over one thousand individual petitions annually, and since 1959, more Department of Special Legal Programs than 13,000 cases have been processed. One of the key functions of the IACHR The Department of Special Legal is to consider petitions from individuals Programs advises the specialized organs who claim that the State has violated and entities of the OAS on matters their rights and that they have been relating to persons with disabilities; unable to find justice. The Commission children, adolescents, and youth; and may bring together the petitioner and the consumer rights. State to explore a “friendly settlement.” If The Department provides technical such an outcome is not possible, the support to the Technical Secretariat for IACHR may recommend specific the Implementation of the Program of measures to be carried out by the State Action for the Decade of the Americas for to remedy the violation. If the country the Rights and Dignity of Persons with involved is one of the twenty-one which Disabilities and the Committee of the has accepted the Inter-American Court’s Convention for the Elimination of All jurisdiction, the case may be submitted to Forms of Discrimination against Persons the Court. with Disabilities. The Department The Commission has the autonomy supports the establishment and and technical capacity to monitor the operations of mechanisms for follow-up human rights situation in the Member on conventions on matters in its area of States and publishes an annual report, competence. which has been highly effective in documenting and challenging abuses in Promotion and Protection of Human specific countries. Since 1961, Rights commissioners have completed more than 100 visits throughout the region to The Inter-American Human Rights review human rights policies and System promotes justice and provides practices and have published over 50 resources to people in the Americas who special reports based on those visits.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 11 The Organization of American States and Civil Society

The Commission is comprised of seven Multidimensional Security Rapporteurships that monitor and report on human rights of vulnerable groups, The mission of the Secretariat for thus generating stronger commitments to Multidimensional Security (SMS) is to protect them, as well as improving coordinate cooperation among the domestic , policies and practices on Member States to fight threats to priority human rights issues in the region. national and citizen security, and to work The Rapporteurships are: to mitigate the harmful effects of those threats on the health and well-being of • Special Rapporteurship for Freedom citizens and societies in the Member of Expression States and to prevent the abuse of • Rapporteurship on the Rights of psychotropic substances, , and Women violence; capacity-building; legal and • Rapporteurship on the Rights of legislative assistance; and the promotion Migrant Workers and their Families of health and education. • Rapporteurship on the Rights of SMS consists of the following Indigenous Peoples dependencies: • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Persons Deprived of Liberty • Executive Secretariat of the • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Afro-Descendants and against Commission Racial Discrimination • Secretariat of the Inter-American • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Committee against Terrorism the Child • Department of Public Security Inter-American Court of Human Rights Executive Secretariat of the Inter- American Drug Abuse Control The Inter-American Court of Human Commission Rights, established in 1979, is an autonomous judicial of the The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control OAS whose mission is the application Commission (CICAD), agency under the and interpretation of the Inter-American coordination of the Secretariat for Convention on Human Rights and other Multidimensional Security, was related treaties. The Court’s goal is to established by the General Assembly in uphold the basic rights and freedoms of 1986 to promote cooperation among men and women of the Americas. The Member States to control trafficking, Court consists of seven judges from the production, and abuse of controlled Organization’s Member States elected in substances, in accordance with the 1986 an individual capacity from among Inter-American Program of Action of Rio jurists of the highest moral authority and de Janeiro. of recognized competence in the field of The Executive Secretariat of the Inter- human rights, who possess the American Drug Abuse Control Commission qualifications required for the exercise is comprised of the following sections: of the highest judicial functions under the law of the State of which they are • Section on Demand Reduction nationals or of the State that proposes • Section on Supply Reduction them as candidates. • Section on Institutional Strengthening • Anti-Money Laundering Unit • Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism • Inter-American Observatory on Drugs

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 12 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

CICAD’s objectives include promoting Inter-American Committee against programs to strengthen drug abuse Terrorism prevention and treatment in Member States, fighting money laundering and The Inter-American Committee against the production and trafficking of illicit Terrorism (CICTE) serves as the drugs, and promoting research, preeminent organization within the information-sharing, specialized training, inter-American system for the and technical assistance to fight this coordination of efforts to protect the scourge. citizens of the Member States from In 1999, the Multilateral Evaluation terrorism. Mechanism (MEM) was established as an CICTE’s objectives include improving instrument to assess the anti-drug information exchange among competent activities of the Member States of national authorities; creating and CICAD throughout the Hemisphere. updating an inter-American database on CICAD conceived this instrument in terrorism matters; formulating a response to a mandate of the Second proposal to help Member States draft Summit of the Americas. Its four major appropriate antiterrorism ; focuses are anti-drug strategies, demand and compiling bilateral, sub-regional, and reduction, supply reduction, and control multilateral treaties and agreements measures. The MEM is not only an signed by the Member States on this evaluation mechanism but also a means subject. CICTE also promotes universal of cooperation among countries, with accession to international antiterrorism long-term continuity. The instrument is conventions, increases cooperation in available to the public for information on border areas and security measures the current drug situation, on positive related to travel documents, and and negative developments, and on implements training and crisis areas in which work is needed or specific management activities. activities need to be reinforced. The Inter-American Observatory on Department of Public Security Drugs (OID) is CICAD’s statistical, information and scientific research The main functions of the Department of branch. Informed by an -based Public Security are to observe the picture of the drug problem, both fulfillment of resolutions approved by nationally and at the hemispheric level, political organs of the OAS in the areas Member States can better understand all of its competence in demining, the dimensions of the drug problem, and trafficking in persons, organized crime design and implement policies and and gangs, small arms and light programs to address them. The weapons, and the security of small island Observatory helps countries to improve states. the collection and analysis of drug- The Department is comprised of the related data by promoting the following dependencies: establishment of national observatories and the use of standardized methods • Office of Humanitarian Mine Action and data; and by providing scientific and • Public Security Policies Security technical training for, and the exchange • Section against Transnational of experiences among, professionals Organized Crime working on drug issues. This Department offers support and technical advice to the Member States in the theme of humanitarian action

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 13 The Organization of American States and Civil Society against mines, including the humane in the areas of public security, such as removal of mines; and education on the the Meeting of Ministers of Public risk of the mines for the affected Security of the Americas and the populations. Meeting of National Authorities on The Department carries out efforts Trafficking in Persons. against trafficking in persons in the Hemisphere, keeping in mind the Integral Development perspective of gender and children, organizes training seminars and The Executive Secretariat for Integral workshops, provides technical Development (SEDI) coordinates the assistance to , and implementation of advancing programs promotes the exchange of information of horizontal cooperation, regional and international dialogue. ministerial meetings and the Special Multilateral Fund of CIDI (FEMCIDI). SEDI consists of the following departments:

• Department of Human Development, Education and Culture • Department of Economic Development, Trade and Tourism • Department of Social Development and Employment • Department of Sustainable Development

The Department also provides legal Department of Human Development, and technical aid to the Member States Education and Culture in their fight against organized crime, implements the mandates of the General The Department of Human Development, Assembly on firearms, ammunition and Education and Culture (DHDEC) supports explosives, reinforces the objectives and OAS Member States in their efforts to mandates of the Consultative ensure quality education for all and to Committee of the Inter-American protect and draw on their rich cultural Convention Against the Illicit heritage to promote economic, social Manufacturing of and Trafficking in and human development. The Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Department carries out this mission other Related materials (CIFTA) and is through four main strategies: fostering responsible for coordinating the Plan of policy dialogue; promoting capacity Action against Transnational Organized building; creating and strengthening Crime. Lastly, the Department provides networks and alliances; and facilitating support to small states in the area of technical cooperation. In terms of public security according to General culture, the Department works to Assembly Resolution AG/RES. 2112 develop projects to address the (XXXV-O/05), “Special Security preservation and protection of cultural Concerns of the Small Island States of heritage; culture, identity and diversity; the Caribbean.” culture, and development, This Department is responsible for and cultural information systems. the planning and development of DHDEC provides technical secretariat Ministerial and other high-level meetings services for Ministerial and inter-

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 14 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

American committee meetings in the OAS Member States, new and ongoing areas of education and culture. trade policy developments, information Additionally, the Department is on national trade-related legislation, responsible for promoting academic and links to international, regional and professional development of students national sources of trade policy and young professionals in the Americas. information. DHDEC administers scholarships for DEDTT provides support to Member academic studies and professional States in the area of tourism services as development promoting access to higher they relate to trade, competitiveness education and professional advancement and sustainable development as well as in the Member States. The Department offers support to other areas of the carries out technical cooperation General Secretariat engaged in activities activities for the Member States for the related to tourism. Likewise, the application of information and Department provides technical inputs communication technologies in human for the planning and programming of resource programs. Ministerial meetings (Ministers and Vice Ministers of Trade, Ministers of Tourism, Department of Economic Development, and others) in the areas of trade and Trade and Tourism tourism. The Department also supports OAS The Department of Economic Member States in the formulation of Development, Trade and Tourism policies in science and technology to (DEDTT) supports the efforts of the OAS promote and guide the socioeconomic Member States to expand trade development of the countries in the opportunities, increase competitiveness hemisphere, build national capacities and foster economic integration. and institutional strengthening through DEDTT is in charge of the following the promotion of engineering and dependencies: innovation in order to improve the competitiveness of companies, with an • Office of Trade; emphasis on the production sector to • Office of Tourism; create new sources of employment, • Office of Competitiveness ; reduce poverty and strengthen • Office of Science, Technology, and democratic governance. This Innovation Department offers technical support in • Foreign Trade Information System the planning and programming of (SICE) Section ministerial meetings in the areas of science and technology. This Department offers technical assistance to Member States on issues Department of Sustainable Development relating to economic integration, specifically that of small economies, in Following the Summit of the Americas the design, programming, and execution on Sustainable Development, held in of cooperation projects. The Department Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 1996, also maintains the Foreign Trade the General Secretariat established the Information System (SICE), which Department of Sustainable Development centralizes information on trade policy in (DSD). The mission of this Department is the Americas, agreements in force for to support Member States in the design

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 15 The Organization of American States and Civil Society and implementation of policies, Department of Social Development and programs and projects oriented to Employment integrate environmental priorities with poverty alleviation, and socio-economic The Department of Social Development development goals. DSD supports the and Employment (DDSOCE) provides execution of projects in integrated water assistance to Member States in their management, renewable energy, land- efforts to advance on development with titling, natural hazards-climate change , through the promotion of policies adaptation, biological diversity, and programs of poverty reduction, and policy, and decent work and employment creation. transparency and public participation. The Department fulfills its strategic DSD is comprised of five sections objectives through the promotion of an including: inter-American dialogue on social development, labor and employment; the • Sustainable Energy and Climate promotion of partnerships for Change Mitigation Section development, especially horizontal • Risk Management and Adaptation to cooperation activities based on the Climate Change Section exchange of knowledge and experiences • Sustainable Biodiversity and Land in planning and implementation of public Management Section policies; and the coordination of actions • Environmental Law Policy and Good with other international organizations, Governance Section scholars, private sector and civil society. • Integrated Water Resources This Department is the Technical Management Section Secretariat of the Joint Working Group in charge of the drafting of the Social The Department achieves its mission Charter of the Americas. DDSOCE is also through the formulation and execution responsible for the planning and of technical cooperation projects, the development of ministerial, sectoral, exchange of information on sustainable and/or inter-American committee development in the region, the meetings in the areas of social promotion of civil society participation in development and employment, such as decision-making on environmental the Inter-American Conference of management, and assisting countries Ministers of Labor, and supports and regions in the preparation of cooperation mechanisms, such as the investment projects for consideration by Social Network of Latin America and the regional and international financing Caribbean and the Inter-American Labor mechanisms. DSD offers technical inputs Administration Network and the Inter- for the planning and development of American Social Protection Network. ministerial meetings, sectoral meetings, and meetings of the Inter-American Committee on Sustainable Development.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 16 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES The Organization of American States and Civil Society

Specialized Organizations and knowledge by means of specialized Other Entities publications. IIHR cooperates with the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Inter-American Children’s Institute and the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights, and it works with all The purpose of the Inter-American sectors of civil society, Member States, Children’s Institute (IIN) is to improve as well as with international the living standards of children and their organizations. families. The IIN serves as a social action center and conducts programs in the Inter-American Commission of Women areas of health, education, social legislation, social services and The Inter-American Commission of information. Women (CIM) is the principal forum for The Institute offers technical hemispheric policy to advance women’s assistance to governmental and non- rights and gender equality. Established governmental organizations that serve in 1928, CIM was the first official at-risk children and their families. Its intergovernmental agency in the world advisory services focus on the created expressly to ensure recognition development, monitoring, and evaluation of the civil and political rights of women. of programs and projects designed to One of its accomplishments has been improve management in homes that the creation of the Inter-American care for children and in national Convention for the Prevention, agencies that coordinate such homes. Punishment and Eradication of Violence The IIN provides technical assistance in against Women, which was adopted in policy formulation and the planning 1994 by the OAS General Assembly in needed for proper multi-sectoral Belem do Pará, Brazil, and has been assistance to children and their families. ratified by 32 Member States of the OAS. During the last decade, the Inter-American Institute for Human Convention has contributed to a better Rights awareness that violence against women constitutes a human rights violation, The Inter-American Institute of Human which has led to positive changes in Rights (IIHR) is an independent, legislation and policies for the protection international academic institution, of women. created in 1980, with its headquarters in CIM promotes and protects women’s San Jose, Costa Rica. The mission of rights, and supports the Member States IIHR is to promote and strengthen in their efforts to ensure full exercise of respect for the human rights set forth in civil, political, economic, social, and the American Convention on Human cultural rights that will make possible Rights and to contribute to the equal participation by women and men consolidation of democracy through in all aspects of society. education, academic research, political , training programs, technical assistance and the dissemination of

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 17 The Organization of American States and Civil Society

Justice Studies Center of the Americas Inter-American Telecommunication Commission The Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) created in 1999 and The Inter-American Telecommunication located in Santiago, Chile, conducts Commission (CITEL) was established by training activities, studies and empirical the OAS General Assembly in 1993 as research projects in order to develop the region’s principal forum in which innovative approaches to judicial reform. representatives of Member States and JSCA promotes cooperation and the the telecommunications private sector exchange of experiences among key meet to coordinate ongoing justice sector actors, and disseminates development in this sector. legal instruments to improve the quality CITEL has Permanent Consultative of justice in the Americas. Committees (PCC) and is composed of all the Member States and of Inter-American Juridical Committee associate members representing telecommunications private With headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, enterprises and organizations, Brazil, the Inter-American Juridical permanent observers, and regional Committee (CJI) serves as the legal and international organizations. advisory body to the OAS. The Committee is made up of 11 members Inter-American Committee on Ports designated by the Member States and elected by the General Assembly. Topics Since its inception in 1998, the mission covered include: hemispheric security; of the Inter-American Committee on administration of justice; laws regarding Ports (CIP) is to serve as a forum for information and personal data; human Member States to strengthen rights and biomedicine; illicit cooperation and development of the enrichment; transnational bribery; and port sector with the active collaboration cooperation against terrorism. The Inter- and participation of the private sector. American Juridical Committee supports CIP acts as the advisory body of the the preparation of the Draft Inter- OAS and Member States and is American Convention against Racism, responsible for proposing and promoting Discrimination and Intolerance. The OAS’ policies that respond to the common Department of International Law acts as needs of the port sector in the the technical secretariat to the Hemisphere. Committee. The Committee has the capacity to submit independent legal opinions regarding the themes of the inter-American agenda.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 18 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

The OAS 1948 Charter establishes, as a In 1999, the Organization, with the function of the General Assembly, the adoption of Resolution CP/RES. 759 possibility of concluding agreements or (1217/99) of the OAS Permanent Council, making special arrangements with “Guidelines for the Participation of Civil “other American agencies of recognized Society Organizations in OAS Activities,” international standing.” For over 61 years defined these organizations as any of the life of the OAS, the various national or international institution, organs, agencies, and entities of the organization, or entity made up of Organization have developed, in the natural or juridical persons of a context of their institutional objectives, nongovernmental nature. various types of linkages with national Wishing to increase civil society and international institutions. This participation in its activities, the process has enriched and given rise to Organization, through its dependencies, especially important innovations in adopted various initiatives and intergovernmental organizations. resolutions enlarging the role of CSOs at The OAS has made great strides in the OAS, particularly: terms of civil society participation, such as arranging opportunities for dialogue; • CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), “Guidelines developing mechanisms for civil society for the Participation of Civil Society participation in political forums, project Organizations in OAS Activities” execution, cooperation and partnership • CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), “Strategies program development; and the sharing for Increasing and Strengthening of experiences and information in efforts Participation by Civil Society to make formulation Organizations in OAS Activities” responsive to needs and realities in • CP/RES. 864 (1413/04), “Specific American societies. Fund to Support the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities and in the Summits of the Americas Process” Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

Civil society inputs aid in the design of policies consistent with the needs of in the Member States. These organizations have the option of developing and strengthening the

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 19 Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities exchange of information and knowledge • Developing and executing projects with the public sectors at the regional with the OAS General Secretariat to and international levels and promoting formulate public policy to benefit and implementing a culture of from the economic, social, and democratic participation through cultural development in the Americas training and the formation of strategic • Promoting strategic alliances associations to support, monitor, and between civil society, the OAS, and evaluate public policy, for the benefit of private-sector enterprises in the society in the American Hemisphere. development of the various thematic This interaction was promoted by areas entrusted to the General resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) Secretariat and its technical bodies, “Guidelines for the Participation of Civil in order to provide technical Society Organizations in OAS Activities,” assistance, training, and reciprocal which defined the process by which services for better practices CSOs can request to apply to participate • Establishing organized, legitimate, in the activities of the Organization. This and broad participation by CSOs in norm includes: the region and the inter-American system • The activities that CSOs can • Devising proposals for the design and participate execution of public policy • The creation of a CSO registry • Institutionalizing direct dialogue with within the OAS governments and various • Responsibilities of CSOs once they organizations and bodies of the inter- are registered in the Organization’s American and international system system • Participating in virtual consultations, through the Internet, with government agencies and CSOs, to identify challenges and initiatives in the various areas of endeavor of the OAS

Resolution CP/RES. 864 (1413/04) established the “Specific Fund to Support the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities and in the Summits of the Americas Process.” This Fund aims to provide financial support to facilitate participation by In resolution CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), registered CSOs in the activities of the “Strategies for Increasing and political bodies of the OAS, such as the Strengthening Participation by Civil General Assembly and the Permanent Society Organizations in OAS Activities,” Council, through the Committee on the Organization established strategies Inter-American Summits Management that expand the opportunities for civil and Civil Society Participation in OAS society participation, including: Activities (CISC), the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG), • Having knowledge of and access to appropriate ministerial meetings, and activities on the hemispheric agenda other OAS activities. in the subject areas defined by the Of the five Committees of the Member States Permanent Council, CISC was created to

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 20 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

establish procedures to ensure that the Registration of Civil Society interaction between CSOs and the Organizations in the OAS political bodies of the OAS. Such participation views CSOs as Registration, as set out in Permanent stakeholders and supervisors of their Council resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), own development. provides CSOs with an opportunity to be The General Secretariat performs the part of the hemispheric network of functions and duties entrusted by the organizations working in the various General Assembly, the Meeting of thematic areas of interest to the Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Member States and to have access to Affairs, or the Councils. The Department information on political, economic, and of International Affairs (DIA) of the social processes under way in the OAS, Secretariat for External Relations is which are part of the inter-American responsible for developing and executing agenda. strategies and activities designed to Registration facilitates the exchange promote and broaden civil society of information and experiences that participation in all of the activities enrich the design of governmental related to the work of the Organization. policies by means of organized In compliance with AG/RES. 2395 participation and dialogue among CSOs, (XXXVIII-O/08), DIA prepared a governments, and inter-American and coordinated strategy for civil society international organizations. participation. The Draft Strategy to Strengthen Civil Society Participation in Requirements for CSO Registration OAS Activities was distributed to Member States, for their consideration, Resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) in May and November 2009. The establishes the following conditions for a Strategy underscores the importance of civil society organization to be become access to information, promoting clear part of the registry of CSOs in the OAS: and transparent procedures for civil society and expanding opportunities for • The CSO shall be of recognized civil society participation. The Strategy standing within its particular field of took into consideration the points of competence and shall be of a view of OAS Member States, civil society representative nature organizations, and the General • The CSO shall have an institutional Secretariat and reinforces and proposes structure that includes appropriate existing and new methods of mechanisms for holding its officers communication and access to the policy- accountable and subject to its making process within the framework of members, a legal representative, an the OAS. , as well as established headquarters The OAS established three mechanisms to • The CSO must have an institutional facilitate civil society participation in its structure that is transparent and activities, including: affords it a degree of independence in managing the financial resources • The Civil Society Registry obtained from its affiliates or individual members • Participating in OAS-related Meetings • The CSO must conduct its activities • Cooperation Agreements in some of the OAS Member States

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 21 Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

statement and have it distributed to Member States in order to consider the issue • Apply for funding from the Specific Fund to Support the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities and in the Summits of the Americas Process

Registration Procedures

Benefits of Registration CSOs interested in becoming part of the Registry of CSOs in the OAS should The following benefits are provided to direct a letter to the OAS Secretary CSOs registered in the OAS: General, with a copy to the Department of International Affairs: • Participation in public meetings of the Permanent Council, the Inter- Secretary General American Council for Integral Organization of American States Development (CIDI), and their MNB – 20 subsidiary bodies 17th St & Constitution Ave, NW • Input by means of written documents Washington, DC 20006 on questions thematically relevant to meetings of the Permanent Council USA or CIDI, preferably not to exceed Director 2,000 words (texts exceeding 2,000 Department of International Affairs words must be accompanied by Organization of American States executive summaries, which the General Secretariat shall distribute). MNB – 13 Likewise, the CSO may give a 17th St & Constitution Ave, NW presentation at the beginning of the Washington, DC 20006 deliberations, with prior approval USA from the relevant Committee of the Permanent Council or CIDI Fax: 202-458-6319 • Access to draft resolutions and/or Email: [email protected] resolutions adopted by the General Assembly and authorization to The letter should be accompanied by the comment on them following information: • Receive the resolutions adopted by the OAS General Assembly at its • Official name, address, and date of annual regular session establishment of the organization • With the Chair’s authorization, and the name(s) of its directors and participate in closed meetings of the legal representative(s) Permanent Council and CIDI and their • Primary areas of activity and their political bodies relationship to the activities of the • Receipt of documents in advance of OAS organs, agencies, and entities in the meetings of the working groups which it wishes to participate or specialized groups of the • Reasons why it believes its proposed Permanent Council or CIDI. With prior contributions to OAS activities would authorization, the CSO may make a be of interest to the Organization

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 22 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

• Identification of the OAS work areas Mechanisms of Civil Society in which it proposes to support Participation in OAS-related ongoing activities or to make Meetings recommendations on the best way to achieve OAS objectives Registered civil society organizations may participate in the activities of the Additionally, the request shall be OAS, make presentations, provide accompanied by copies of the following information, and, at the request of the documents: organs, agencies, and entities of the OAS, provide expert advice, in • Charter or Constitution and accordance with resolution CP/RES. 759 of the CSO (notarized copy) (1217/99). • Most recent annual report of the activities of the organization Participation in Meetings of the • Institutional mission statement Permanent Council, CIDI, and their (signed by a director or the legal Subsidiary Bodies representative) • Financial statements for the previous Registered CSOs may designate fiscal year, including reference to any representatives to attend, as observers, public and private sources of public meetings of the Permanent financing (signed by the financial Council, CIDI, and their subsidiary officer or the public accountant of bodies. Non-registered CSOs may also the organization) attend, as observers, public meetings of the Permanent Council, CIDI, and their subsidiary bodies as long as they fulfill the requirements specified in CP/RES. 759 (1217/99).

3. Analysis by 4. DIA 5. CISC reviews the Department of submits analysis and makes International a analysis to a recommendations to Affairs (DIA) the CISC the Permanent Council a a

2. Review Civil Society 6. Permanent application Council considers package Registration Process application

in the OAS a a

1. Send letter to 7. CSO the Secretary registered General with with the supporting OAS documentation

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 23 Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

Meetings held under OAS auspices may present a statement at the are generally open to the public but, can beginning of the deliberations, the text be closed under exceptional of which may be distributed in advance circumstances by decision of the to the Member States. With such Chairman of the meeting due to the approval, they may also give a nature of the matter. Likewise, it should presentation once the consideration of be noted that each political body, the issue has concluded. Civil society specialized organization, or committee organizations may not participate in of the OAS can establish specific criteria deliberations, negotiations, or decisions for civil society participation in its adopted by Member States. activities. In the case of meetings of Procedures for Civil Society committees of the Permanent Council or Participation in OAS-related Meetings of CIDI, registered CSOs may distribute written documents in advance, in Another mechanism for participation is accordance with article 13.c of CP/RES. requesting to be invited to a meeting, 759 (1217/99), and, with prior approval conference, or ministerial-level meeting. from the committee in question, may Under this option, the CSO would send a give a presentation at the beginning of letter, 30 days prior to the event, the deliberations. Civil society indicating that it wished to participate in organizations may not participate in a meeting or special conference. Should deliberations, negotiations, or decisions its request be approved, the adopted by Member States. organization in question would be In the case of meetings of expert granted observer and be groups and working groups of the classified as a “special guest.” Permanent Council or of CIDI, registered Any CSO wishing to attend the annual CSOs that have special competence in OAS General Assembly, independent of the issue to be discussed shall receive their registration status, must send a the relevant documents in advance and, letter to the Secretary General, with a with the prior approval of the meeting, copy to the Department of International Affairs at least 45 days in advance of the Article 13.c of CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) opening session, indicating their interest to observe the proceedings under the A registered civil society organization may present category of “Special Guests.” The written documents, not exceeding 2,000 words, indicated time period is necessary preferably in two of the official languages of the because the Secretary General should OAS, on questions that fall within its particular submit a final list of organizations to the sphere of competence and appear on the agenda or Permanent Council for approval at least order of business for the meeting. These documents thirty (30) days prior to the General shall be distributed by the General Secretariat to Assembly. Additionally, the Member States, insofar as possible, in two of the organizations on the list must be official languages of the OAS. Texts exceeding 2,000 authorized by the host country. This words shall be accompanied by executive summaries process is independent of other CSO in two of the official languages of the OAS, which the participation processes in the OAS. Secretariat shall distribute sufficiently ahead of time. The complete text of the document may be distributed in its original language or languages, the cost to be borne by the civil society organization in question.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 24 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities Cooperation Agreements

Resolution AG/RES. 57 (I/O-71), “Standards on Cooperative Relations between the Organization of American States and the United Nations, Its Specialized Agencies, and Other National and International Organizations,” authorizes the Secretary General to sign cooperation agreements. The OAS General Secretariat and its departments, offices, and technical In the case of CSOs not registered in secretariats, can sign cooperation the OAS, once it has sent a letter of agreements on the development and request together with the corresponding implementation of activities in all work documents, and the request has been areas of the Organization. Cooperation approved by the Permanent Council, the agreements with the OAS may be CSO will receive identification giving it classified as follows: access to the meeting as a “special guest.” • General cooperation agreements: Those intended to provide advisory services to the OAS organs, agencies, and entities and disseminate PROCEDURES FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION information on its activities and IN OAS-RELATED MEETINGS programs

To participate in an OAS meeting or activity, a • Special cooperation agreements: Agreements on the development of CSO must send a letter of request to the OAS ° Secretary General, taking the following into technical, administrative, or consideration: financial programs in order to conduct specific programs in OAS • If the CSO is registered, it need only send a areas of activity Agreements relating to inter- letter expressing its interest in participating, ° its name, the title of the meeting in which it American specialized wishes to participate, and the name of the organizations and coordinated representative who will attend through the OAS Agreements established directly by ° • If the CSO is not registered, the following the Secretary General documents must be attached to the letter of request:

° Official name and date of establishment of the organization, and the names of its directors and legal representative ° Statutes and Charter or Constitution ° Institutional mission statement ° Most recent annual report and financial statements for the previous fiscal year

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 25 Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

Procedures for Cooperation the following documentation to the Agreements between Civil Society Organization: Organizations and the OAS • Charter or Constitution and those A CSO wishing to establish a cooperation documents certifying it as a CSO agreement with the OAS must first • The names of its directors and identify the Department of the General officers during the previous three Secretariat that handles the thematic years area in question. Second, the • The names of its major contributors organization must submit a proposal (provided that this is not in violation with clearly defined objectives and of any confidentiality agreements) determine the type of agreement it would like to conclude (whether general If, after submission of the documents, a or specific). Likewise, the CSO must also preliminary agreement is reached realize that, under a cooperation between the General Secretariat and the agreement with the OAS, it is required to CSO, a document will be drawn up for have the economic resources and the Secretary General’s approval and sufficient staff to fulfill and follow up as signature. necessary on the obligations and stipulations set forth in the agreement. If it meets the aforementioned requirements, the CSO may proceed with its request and transmit copies of

Procedures for Cooperation Agreements between Civil Society Organizations and the OAS

2. Identify 1. Identify type of 3. Submit 4. Review 5. Submission OAS agreement proposal proposal by of supporting technical aaa OAS Project adocumentation area Evaluation Committee a

10. Signature 9. 8. Review 7. Preliminary 6. Discussions and of authority of agreement agreement with respect registration for signature prior to reached aaaa to the content of cooperation signature and text of agreement agreement

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 26 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Summits of the Americas and Civil Society

The Summits of the Americas Process is Council’s Committee on Inter-American the intergovernmental forum in which Summits Management and Civil Society the Heads of State and Government of Participation in OAS Activities (CISC). the Member States define and discuss Likewise, the Secretariat coordinates the inter-American agenda. Presiding with the host country and the various over this process is the government of technical areas of the OAS on the country that is to host the next preparations for upcoming Summits of Summit. The process is guided by shared the Americas and the participation of values and by commonly established diverse social actors in the Summit institutional mechanisms. Process. The Summit Process is presided The Summits of the Americas include by the Joint Summit Working Group American countries that have (JSWG), a group of international and democratically elected governments, inter-American bodies that coordinate economies that conduct follow-up on Summit mandates. multilateral international negotiations on an egalitarian basis, and take decisions MEMBERS OF THE JOINT SUMMIT by consensus. The institutional WORKING GROUP mechanisms are charged with leading the process, decision-making, and implementation and follow-up of Summit ° Organization of American States (OAS) mandates. ° Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) At the Summit of the Americas in ° Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Quebec in 2001, the Heads of State and Agriculture (IICA) Government recognized the central role ° Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) the OAS plays in supporting the ° Economic Commission for Latin America and Summits process, as its technical the Caribbean (ECLAC) secretariat and institutional memory. ° World Bank The Summits of the Americas ° Andean Development Foundation (CAF) Secretariat was established in the OAS ° Central American Bank for Economic to give formal shape to that function. Integration (CABEI) The Summits of the Americas ° Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Secretariat coordinates follow-up on ° International Organization for Migration implementation of Summit mandates (IOM) and supports the Summit ° International Labor Organization (ILO) Implementation Review Group (SIRG), ° Institute for Connectivity in the Americas the SIRG’s Steering Committee and (ICA) Executive Council, the ministerial ° United Nations Development Program meetings, and the OAS Permanent (UNDP)

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 27 Summits of the Americas and Civil Society

Summit Follow-Up Mechanisms strengthen the follow-up of Summit initiatives and preparations for future The SIRG was established in 1995 and is Summits. The members of the Executive chaired by the Member States, as host Committee include the host countries of countries of the Summits. The host the Summits, such as the United States, countries have been United States, Chile, Chile, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, Argentina, and Trinidad and Trinidad and Tobago, and Colombia; a Tobago. Since September 21, 2009, representative of CARICOM; a Colombia has chaired the Process in representative of the Andean preparation for the VI Summit of the Community; Brazil; a representative of Americas that will take place in 2012. the Rio Group; and the country that The SIRG is composed of presides over the Central American representatives of the democratically Integration System (SICA). elected governments of the Hemisphere, Another focus of the SIRG Executive represented by their national Council is to deepen partnerships and coordinators—usually the Deputy Foreign coordination between the Summit Minister or person in charge of Western process and its partner institutions, Hemisphere affairs at the Foreign which are members of the JSWG. Ministry. The SIRG is responsible for monitoring progress on fulfilling the Opportunities for Civil Society mandates issued in the various Summits Participation in the Summits and negotiating the text to be approved Process at future Summits. The SIRG meets roughly three times a year, with at least The Summits of the Americas process one of its meetings at the Ministerial- has established that CSO participation is level in the framework of the OAS a valuable and significant means of General Assembly. including social actors in efforts to bring The SIRG has a Steering Committee about economic and social development, composed of the future and past Summit strengthen democratic institutions, and hosts. Its function is to assist the chair attain good governance. The of the Summit process in preparing for Declarations of the Summit of the meetings of the SIRG Executive Council. Americas recognize the important role The SIRG Executive Council was of civil society and have sought to create created in the Quebec City Plan of opportunities for a continued and Action (2001) as a regionally sustained interaction between civil representative group of member society and Member States. In order to countries whose role is to support the exchange views on policy design and the work of the SIRG and assess and fulfillment of Summit mandates, the discussions between CSOs and high- ranking national officials from ministries of foreign affairs has become institutionalized aspect of each Summit. The OAS, through the Summits of the Americas Secretariat and the Department of International Affairs, developed a number of initiatives to create opportunities for participation and discussion and to report on Summit policy developments in the inter-American system.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 28 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Summits of the Americas and Civil Society

The OAS supports civil society Summit on Sustainable Development – forums to formulate recommendations Santa Cruz, Bolivia – 1996 regarding the inter-American agenda, holds special meetings with the SIRG to At the Summit of the exchange information on the Summit Americas on Sustainable process, and works with civil society Development, the Heads of networks to exchange information and State and Government provide feedback on implementation decided to promote increased and follow-up of Summit mandates opportunities for groups, organizations, among CSOs, governments, and the businesses, and individuals to express organizations of the inter-American ideas and exchange information on and international systems. sustainable development. The Heads of State decided to take Civil Society in the Summits of into account the recommendations of the Americas the Inter-American Seminar on Public Participation, held in Montevideo in In just over a decade and a half, with 1996, and entrusted the OAS with five Summits of the Americas, a assigning priority to the formulation of Summit on Sustainable Development, the Inter-American Strategy for the and a Special Summit of the Americas, Promotion of Public Participation in the Summit Process has demonstrated Decision-making. The strategy was the Member States’ commitment to intended to promote the exchange of engage in discussion and find common experiences and information among solutions to the problems that maintain governments and civil society groups the Hemisphere’s status as a on the formulation, implementation, developing region and solutions that and improvement of sustainable promote prosperity and peace. development programs and policies and in high-level meetings. First Summit of the Americas – Miami, Florida, United States – 1994

At the First Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Government expressed Second Summit of the Americas – an interest in the Santiago, Chile – 1998 consolidation and diversification of in the At the Second Summit of the Hemisphere in such a way as to ensure Americas, the Heads of State their sustainability. It was primarily for and Government recognized that reason that they underscored the that education was “the importance of participation by determining factor for the individuals, labor unions, political political, social, cultural, and economic parties, academics, the private sector, development of our peoples,” and and CSOs in public affairs and highlighted the need to encourage civil recognized that public participation society to participate in developing was pivotal to the success of any education. This Summit also reaffirmed democracy in a context of the importance of increasing active accountability and transparency. participation by civil society.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 29 Summits of the Americas and Civil Society

Third Summit of the Americas – Special Summit of the Americas – Quebec City, Canada – 2001 Monterrey, Mexico – 2004

At the Third Summit of the At the Special Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State Americas, the Heads of and Government expressed State and Government appreciation for civil agreed that, through citizen society’s contributions to the participation, civil society Quebec City Plan of Action and organizations should contribute to the recognized civil society’s important role design, implementation, and evaluation in the consolidation of democracy and of public policies adopted by different its participation in government orders or levels of government. programs, as one of the vital elements They also recognized the role of civil for the success of development society and its contribution to sound policies. public administration and reaffirmed The Heads of State and Government the importance of continuing to forge entrusted the OAS and other new partnerships that would enable multilateral organizations and constructive ties to be built between development banks with developing governments, nongovernmental strategies to enable civil society to organizations, international participate more fully in the inter- organizations, and the diverse sectors American system. Said measures have of civil society in order to work in favor increased the institutional capacity of of development and democracy. the Member State governments to Likewise, they pledged to encourage receive, absorb, and act on CSO input civil society participation in the and advocacy. Summits of the Americas Process and The Heads of State and Government to institutionalize meetings with civil promoted the role of CSOs, together society and with the academic and with technical and educational private sectors. professionals, in the development and implementation of disaster management policies at both the national and community levels. Moreover, they recognized the contributions made by CSOs to the promotion of national strategies for the sustainable development of agriculture and the improvement of living standards in rural areas. The Quebec City Plan of Action recognized that democracy is a way of life based on freedom and on improved economic, social, and cultural conditions for the people of the Americas in a context of good governance, management, and values, taking into account the input of CSOs.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS 30 MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES Summits of the Americas and Civil Society

Fourth Summit of the Americas – Fifth Summit of the Americas – Port Mar del Plata, Argentina – 2005 of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 2009

During the Fourth Summit of At the Fifth Summit of the the Americas, the Heads of Americas, the Heads of State State and Government agreed and Government agreed to that the participation of continue encouraging the citizens, communities, and civil participation of citizens, society will contribute to ensuring that communities, and civil society in the the benefits of democracy are shared design and execution of development by society as a whole. policies and programs, by providing During the Summit, the leaders technical and financial assistance, as recognized the pivotal role that the appropriate, to strengthen and build OAS plays in the implementation and their capacity to participate more fully follow-up of Summit mandates, and in the Inter-American System. instructed the General Secretariat to continue to act as technical secretariat; provide support for meetings of the SIRG, ministerial meetings, and specialized conferences; coordinate the participation of civil society; and ensure the dissemination of information on the Summits Process and the commitments adopted by the countries.

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS MANUAL FOR CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES 31

The Organization of American States (OAS) brings together the nations of the Western hemisphere to promote democracy, strengthen human rights, foster peace, security and cooperation and advance common interests. The origins of the Organization date back to 1890 when nations of the region formed the Pan American Union to forge closer hemispheric relations. This union later evolved into the OAS and in 1948, 21 nations signed its governing charter. Since then, the OAS has expanded to include the nations of the English-speaking Caribbean and Canada, and today all of the independent nations of North, Central and South America and the Caribbean make up its 34 Member States. In support of all the work of all the departments of the OAS, the Secretariat for External Relations builds awareness of and encourages concrete support for the activities of the OAS as the premier regional political forum in the Western Hemisphere. It strengthens institutional relations with Member States, Permanent Observer countries, regional and international organizations, civil society, academic institutions, and private sector entities in order to implement the inter-American agenda mandated by hemispheric leaders. The Department of International Affairs is responsible for advising the Secretary General and the OAS Secretariat, as well as the Organization’s policy-making bodies, on external relations and resource mobilization. Its main function focuses on strengthening and maintaining relations with the Permanent Observers of the OAS, advising the technical departments on their external relations and resource mobilization activities, carrying out the monthly Lecture Series of the Americas, establishing strategic alliances with civil society, sister agencies in the UN and the Inter-American system to advance the OAS agenda, organizing policy roundtables and briefings for diverse audiences on OAS priorities and work, and coordinating the Model OAS General Assembly for high schools and universities, in order to promote a better understanding of the Organization’s mission to improve the lives of all citizens in the Americas.

For additional information regarding civil society participation in OAS activities, please contact:

Irene Klinger, Director Department of International Affairs Organization of American States 17th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20006 - USA

www.civil-society.oas.org Telephone: 202-458-6072 Fax: 202-458-6319 Email: [email protected]

OAS DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS