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MANUAL FOR CIVIL PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES

José Miguel Insulza Secretary General

Albert R. Ramdin Assistant Secretary General Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations TABLE OF CONTENTS

PREFACE ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 4 OAS CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION DATA ABBREVIATIONS ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 5 THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES AND CIVIL SOCIETY ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 6 Bodies of the OAS ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 Manual for civil society participation in OAS activities. General Assembly ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 p. : ill. ; cm. Permanent Council �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 7 ISBN 978-0-8270-5425-7 Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs ������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 8 1. Organization of American States. 2. Civil society--America--Handbooks, manuals, etc. 3.Non- Inter-American Council for Integral Development ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 governmental organizations. 4. Political participation--America. 5. Responsibility--Political aspects. 6. Responsibility--Social aspects. I. Organization of American States. Department of International Affairs. General Secretariat �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 JZ5340.M36 2010 (E) Pillars of the OAS ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������ 9 Promoting ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 9 Defending ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 13 Guaranteeing a Multidimensional Focus on Security ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������14 Fostering Integral Development and Prosperity ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 16 Specialized Organizations and Other Entities ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17 PRINCIPLES AND MEANS OF CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES ����������������������������������������������������������20 Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 20 Registration of Civil Society Organizations in the OAS �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 21 Requirements for CSO Registration ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Benefits of Registration ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 22 Registration Procedures ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 23 All rights reserved © Organization of American States (OAS) Participation in OAS Meetings �������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 25 Procedures for Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings �����������������������������������������������������������������26 The material in this work is copyrighted. Copying and or transmitting portions or all of this work without Cooperation Agreements ���������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 27 permission may be in violation of applicable . The Department of International Affairs encourages Procedures for Cooperation Agreements between Civil Society Organizations and the OAS �������������������28 disseminatation of it work and will normally grant permission promptly. SUMMITS OF THE AMERICAS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29 For permission or photocopy or reprint any part of this work, please send a request with complete Summit Follow-Up Mechanisms ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 29 information to: Opportunities for Civil Society Participation in the Summits Process ���������������������������������������������������������������30 Civil Society in the Summit of the Americas ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 31 Department of International Affairs First Summit of the Americas - Miami, United States - 1994 ��������������������������������������������������������������������31 Secretariat for External Relations Summit on Sustainable Development - Santa Cruz, Bolivia - 1996 ������������������������������������������������������������31 Organization of American States Second Summit of the Americas - Santiago, Chile - 1998 ��������������������������������������������������������������������������31 19th street and Ave., N.W. Third Summit of the Americas - Quebec City, Canada - 2001 ��������������������������������������������������������������������31 Washington, D.C. 20006 - USA Special Summit of the Americas – Monterrey, Mexico – 2004 ������������������������������������������������������������������32 Telephone: 202-370-0746 Fourth Summit of the Americas – Mar del Plata, Argentina – 2005 ����������������������������������������������������������32 Fax: 202-458-3555 Fifth Summit of the Americas – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 2009 ���������������������������������������������32 The text contained in this publication does not necessarily represent the views of the Member States or Sixth Summit of the Americas – Cartagena de Indias, Colombia – 2012 ��������������������������������������������������32 their representatives.

2 3 PREFACE ABBREVIATIONS

rticle 6 of the Inter-American Democratic underscores that, “it is the right and responsibility OAS Organization of American States of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to their own development” and that “promoting and CSO Civil Society Organization(s) CIDI Inter-American Council for Integral Development of the OAS fostering diverse forms of participation strengthens democracy.” Similarly, Article 26 of the Charter A CAJP Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs of the Permanent Council of the OAS establishes that the Organization of American States (OAS) will consult and cooperate on an ongoing basis CAAP Committee on Administrative and Budgetary Affairs of the Permanent Council of the OAS with Member States and take into account the contributions of civil society organizations (CSOs) working CHS Committee on Hemispheric Security of the Permanent Council of the OAS in those fields. CISC Committee on Inter-American Summits and Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities of the Permanent Council DIA Department of International Affairs As a result, the OAS continues to carry out programs and activities designed to promote democratic SER Secretariat for External Relations principles and practices and strengthen a democratic culture in the Hemisphere. The Organization has SPA Secretariat for Political Affairs created spaces for dialogue for civil society to inform and respond to critical issues of the inter-American DECO Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation system and contribute to the set forth by the OAS General Assembly and by the Heads of DSDSM Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions and in the Summits of the Americas, as well as Ministerial and other high-level meetings. DEPM Department for Effective Public Management SLA Secretariat for Legal Affairs REMJA Meetings of Ministers of Justice or of Ministers or Attorneys General of the Americas The purpose of this Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities, prepared by the Department IACHR Inter-American Commission on Human Rights of International Affairs, is to disseminate the means by which CSOs can participate and take part in OAS SMS Secretariat for Multidimensional Security activities, promote the participation of civil society in the Inter-American System, and generate awareness CICAD Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission on the opportunities to contribute to the formulation of hemispheric . In addition, the Manual MEM Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism OID Inter-American Observatory on Drugs provides a summary of the structure and work areas of the Organization as well as the guiding principles CICTE Inter-American Committee against Terrorism for CSO participation. CIFTA Inter-American Convention against the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and Other Related Materials This Manual is part of an ongoing effort by the OAS to strengthen and increase the involvement of civil DPS Department of Public Security society organizations in the formulation and implementation of the inter-American agenda, the Summits SEDI Secretariat for Integral Development FEMCIDI Special Multilateral Fund of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development of the Americas, and the goals of the OAS. DHDEE Department of Human Development, Education, and Employment DESD Department of Economic and Social Development 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 Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption DSD Department of Sustainable Development Jose Miguel Insulza IIHR Inter-American Institute of Human Rights Secretary General CJI Inter-American Juridical Committee Organization of American States 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 “Modern require the participation of all actors to confront the complex CAF Andean Development Corporation challenges in the world. Civil society fulfills a fundamental role in public policies. SIRG Summit Implementation Review Group The generation of democracy is enriched when all parties involved actively JSWG Joint Summit Working Group CABEI Central American Bank for Economic Integration participate in the decisions that affect their futures.” CDB Caribbean Development Bank – José Miguel Insulza IOM International Organization for Migration ILO International Labor Organization

4 5 THE ORGANIZATION OF Department of International Affairs AMERICAN STATES AND SECTION Secretariat for External Relations CIVIL SOCIETY ONE The Inter-American Democratic Charter makes GENERAL ASSEMBLY specific references to the importance of civil society participation in Articles 6 and 26 ofits The General Assembly is the supreme organ of text. Article 26 establishes that, “the OAS will the Organization. It gathers the Ministers of continue to carry out programs and activities he Organization of American States (OAS) The Protocol of Buenos Aires established the Foreign Affairs of the Member States each year in designed to promote democratic principles and is the foremost political forum in the Organization’s present structure while the a regular session, and also holds special sessions practices and strengthen a democratic culture in Hemisphere for multilateral dialogue and Protocol of Cartagena de Indias strengthened the under particular circumstances. All Member T the Hemisphere, bearing in mind that democracy the establishment of the inter-American agenda. Organization’s political role in the Hemisphere. States have the right to one vote in the General is a way of life based on and enhancement The OAS plays a fundamental role in promoting Later, additional amendments were introduced Assembly. of economic, social, and cultural conditions for , democracy, and justice, fostering through the Protocol of Washington, which the peoples of the Americas. The OAS will consult solidarity, strengthening cooperation, and stipulates that one of the essential aims of the The General Assembly decides upon the and cooperate on an ongoing basis with Member defending the , territorial integrity, OAS is to promote, through action, general action and policies of the Organization, States and take into account the contributions and independence of its Member States. The the economic, social, and cultural development determines the structure and functions of its of civil society organizations working in those Organization’s vision is based on consensus, of Member States and help to eradicate extreme organs, adopts its program-budget, fixes the fields.” dialogue, and cooperation for the economic, poverty in the region; and it established the quotas, and considers any matter relating to social, and political development of the region. suspension of a member state from the OAS relations among the Member States. if its democratically elected government is THE SOCIAL CHARTER OF THE AMERICAS The First International Conference of American overthrown by force. PERMANENT COUNCIL States, inaugurated on October 2, 1889 in The Social Charter of the Americas was adopted Washington, D.C., founded the International Along with the Protocol of Washington, the by Member States at the XLII General Assembly, The Permanent Council is composed of Union of American and its Commercial adoption one year earlier of Resolution AG/RES. which took place in Cochabamba, Bolivia in one representative of each Member State, Bureau, which served as Secretariat until 1910, 1080 (XXI-O/91) “Representative Democracy” 2012. Through this Charter, Member States appointed with the rank of Ambassador. when it became the Pan-American Union. For represented a regional effort to strengthen commit to improved economic, social and The purpose of the Permanent Council is to half a century, the Pan-American Union was the democracy. This resolution established that in the cultural development, as well as the eradication consider matters entrusted to it by the General forum in which agreements and conventions event of any disruption of the democratic order, of poverty and inequity. The Social Charter Assembly or the Meetings of Consultation of were concluded, and which also institutionalized there would be a convocation of an immediate acknowledges that “citizens have a legitimate Ministers of Foreign Affairs, and also sees to the legal, economic, social, and cultural cooperation meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of aspiration to social justice and their maintenance of relations between the Member in the Americas. the hemisphere to make decisions over how to have the responsibility to promote it.” States, contributes to the peaceful settlement address the situation. of disputes, and serves as the Preparatory At the Ninth International Conference of Furthermore, this Charter recognizes “the Committee of the General Assembly. American States, held in Bogotá on April 30, The Protocol of Managua established the Inter- contributions of indigenous peoples, afro- 1948, 21 nations of the Hemisphere adopted American Council for Integral Development descendents, and migrant to The Permanent Council has established five the Charter that transformed the Pan-American (CIDI), whose function is to facilitate cooperation development” and affirms the necessity of Permanent Committees: the General Committee, Union into the OAS. That conference confirmed among Member States on economic and social governments “to adopt policies to promote the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs support for the Organization’s common issues. inclusion and to prevent, combat, and eliminate (CAJP), the Committee on Administrative and principles and respect for the sovereignty of each all forms of intolerance and discrimination.” Budgetary Affairs (CAAP), the Committee on Member State. Today, the OAS is made up of 35 THE INTER-AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC Hemispheric Security (CHS), and the Committee independent states of the Americas. CHARTER BODIES OF THE OAS on Inter-American Summits Management and Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities (CISC). The OAS carries out its activities through the If necessary, the Permanent Council establishes THE OAS CHARTER On September 11, 2001, Member States adopted following bodies: the General Assembly; Meetings ad hoc committees or working groups, such as the Inter-American Democratic Charter in a of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs; the the Working Group of the Draft Plan of Action of The OAS Charter has been amended four times: special session of the General Assembly held in Councils (the Permanent Council and the Inter- the Social Charter of the Americas. through the Protocol of Buenos Aires (1967), Lima, Peru, thus reinforcing their commitment to American Council for Integral Development); the the Protocol of Cartagena de Indias (1985), the democracy. This Charter is the most important General Secretariat; specialized conferences; Protocol of Washington (1992), and the Protocol instrument for strengthening democratic specialized organizations; and other entities of Managua (1996). in the region. established by its governing bodies.

6 7 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

CIDI has the following Ministerial Meetings: In the event that the office of Secretary General becomes vacant, the Assistant Secretary General • Ministerial on Education With regard to civil society participation in the shall assume the duties of that office until the PROMOTING OAS, the Permanent Council has approved the • Ministerial on Social Development General Assembly elects a new Secretary General DEMOCRACY IN THE following resolutions: • Ministerial on Sustainable Development for a full term, and until the newly-elected AMERICAS • CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), “Guidelines for the • Ministerial on Labor Secretary General assumes office. Participation of Civil Society Organizations in • Ministerial on Culture The OAS contributes to the strengthening of OAS Activities” • Ministerial on Science and Technology • CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), “Strategies for The structure of the General Secretariat the political processes of the Member States Increasing and Strengthening Participation by • Ministerial on Tourism includes: and to supporting sustainable democracy as Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities” • Secretariat for Political Affairs the best option to ensure peace, security and • CP/RES. 864 (1413/04), “Specific Fund to • Executive Secretariat for Integral development. Support the Participation of Civil Society Development • Secretariat for Multidimensional Security Organizations in OAS Activities and in the GENERAL SECRETARIAT SECRETARIAT FOR POLITICAL AFFAIRS Summits of the Americas Process” • Secretariat for Administration and Finance • Secretariat for Legal Affairs The General Secretariat of the OAS executes the • Secretariat for External Relations The OAS promotes these values with the support programs and policies adopted by the General • Executive Secretariat for the Inter- of the Secretariat for Political Affairs (SPA), MEETING OF CONSULTATION OF MINISTERS Assembly and the other policymaking bodies. American Commission on Human Rights which consists of the Executive Office of the OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS It is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and has Secretary for Political Affairs and the following offices in most Member States. The Secretary dependencies: The Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of General and Assistant Secretary General are • Department of Electoral Cooperation and Foreign Affairs is held in order to consider responsible for the organization of the General PILLARS Observation problems of an urgent nature and of common Secretariat and supervising its staff. OF THE OAS interest to the American states. Any Member State • Department of Sustainable Democracy and may request that the Meeting of Consultation be The Secretary General is elected by the General The structure of the OAS allows for the Special Missions called. The request must be addressed to the Assembly for a five-year term. The Secretary development of different activities that facilitate • Department for Effective Public Management Permanent Council of the Organization, which General may not be re-elected more than once, consensus-building and cooperation among decides by an absolute majority of votes whether nor be succeeded by a person of the same Member States and different international a meeting should be held. nationality. The Secretary General is the legal organizations, inter-American agencies, CSOs, the representative of the General Secretariat and DEPARTMENT OF ELECTORAL COOPERATION private sector, academia, and other stakeholders AND OBSERVATION INTER-AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR INTEGRAL participates, without the right to vote, in all the in the following fields: DEVELOPMENT meetings of the Organization. • Democracy The Department of Electoral Cooperation and • Human Rights Observation (DECO) offers professional electoral The Inter-American Council for Integral The Secretary General may bring to the attention • Multidimensional Security observation services for Member States to Development (CIDI) was established in 1996 of the General Assembly or the Permanent Council • Integral Development support the electoral cycles in Member States. by the Protocol of Managua with the principal any matter that, in his opinion, might threaten This Department coordinates the electoral purpose to promote integral and sustainable the peace and security of the Hemisphere or the observation missions at the request of Member development in the Americas. development of the Member States. States. These missions foster the positive recognition of political rights, particularly the CIDI is composed of representatives of Ministerial The Assistant Secretary General acts as the citizens’ right to choose and to be elected in an rank appointed by the Member States in light of Secretary of the Permanent Council. During the inclusive, free and transparent way. the topics addressed, and concentrates on temporary absence or disability of the Secretary formulation and design, sharing experiences, General, the Assistant Secretary General and developing cooperation networks and performs the duties of the Secretary General. partnerships with other institutions to craft and execute cooperation projects for development.

8 9 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

This Department carries out its activities through quantitative tools that help to systematize DEPARTMENT FOR EFFECTIVE PUBLIC three areas of work: political analysis and forecast. MANAGEMENT ACCESS TO JUSTICE • Special Missions Section: supports the • Electoral Technical Cooperation: contributes The Department for Effective Public Management SECRETARIAT FOR LEGAL AFFAIRS OAS Member States in the prevention, to the modernization and the improvement (DEPM) provides support to OAS Member management, and settlement of conflicts, of quality of the services provided by electoral States through the strengthening of democratic In order to promote and facilitate access to using the mechanisms established by the organs to citizens and to the strengthening institutions. It works in the following areas: justice in the Americas, the OAS created the of the institutional capacity to ensure free, inter-American system. Secretariat for Legal Affairs (SLA). This Secretariat inclusive, competitive and transparent • Hemispheric Cooperation Mechanism implements the Inter-American Program for the . for Effective Public Management: fosters Development of ; provides dialogue among Member States through advisory services concerning the of • Electoral Observation Section: organizes an Inter-American forum in which countries inter-American law; and serves as a depository the Electoral Observation Missions and share and exchange perspectives and and source of information for inter-American coordinates activities at the national and Since 2004, The OAS Mission to Support the Peace opinions on their public sector institutional treaties and the agreements of the OAS and its regional levels with electoral authorities, Process in Colombia (MAPP/OEA, by its acronym reforms. organs. political parties and civil society in Spanish) has provided verification and advisory representatives during the electoral period. support to Colombia during the demobilization • Innovation and Modernization: through Furthermore, SLA coordinates the Inter-American and reintegration process of illegal armed groups; the Guide of Strategies and Mechanisms Program of Judicial Facilitators (IPJF) with the • Electoral Studies and Projects Section: supported peace and other relevant efforts for Effective Public Management, offers aim of reinforcing access to justice to those performs applied research and identifies the undertaken by the government and civil society experiences on key issues of public citizens who live in more outlying, rural areas. best practices and/or standards related to directed at reducing violence, building trust and administration. The judicial facilitators are community leaders electoral democracy. creating spaces conducive to reconciliation. and are volunteers who serve their office and • Access to Public Information and Open support justice authorities by assisting judges in DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABLE DEMOCRACY Government: promotes transparency, processing paperwork, disseminating and AND SPECIAL MISSIONS integrity and responsibility in public civic norms among the population and coordinate administration as a means of combating actions with local governments. The Department of Sustainable Democracy and With respect to the Belize-Guatemala territorial corruption and increasing accountability. Special Missions (DSDSM) advises and offers dispute, the OAS provides technical and political In the field of the rights of persons with support to the two countries through conciliation • Civil Registry: The Universal Civil Identity technical support on prevention, management disabilities, SLA is responsible for promoting the and the resolution of crisis and conflicts. To that efforts and activities designed to promote the Program in the Americas (PUICA) assists implementation of confidence-building measures, OAS Member States by providing technical two main instruments of the Inter- end, DSDSM coordinates Special Missions and American System on the subject: The Inter- Political Observation Missions and administers in line with the provisions of the “Agreement on support to national civil registry institutions a Framework for Negotiation and Confidence and ensuring the right to civil identity. American Convention for the Elimination of All the OAS Peace Fund to contribute to the peaceful Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala,” Forms of Discrimination against Persons with settlement of controversies, such as the territorial signed in September 2005. At the same time, • E-Government: promotes public sector Disabilities (CIADDIS), and the Program of Action dispute between Belize and Guatemala. the Office of the OAS General Secretariat in the modernization through the opportunities for the Decade of the Americas for the Rights and Adjacency Zone conducts verifications and carries provided by Information and Communication Dignity of Persons with Disabilities (PAD). DSDSM is composed of the following sections: out activities to support institutions in Belize Technologies (ICTs). and Guatemala, including the armed forces. It In addition, SLA supports the Consumer Safety also implements projects designed to strengthen • Political Analysis and Scenarios Section: and Health Network (CSHN) and the Working follows the political situations in the countries integration among border communities and supports community resettlement efforts. Group on the Protection of the Rights of Older of the region in order to understand their Persons. political processes, identify potential risk factors for democratic stability, and analyze different scenarios. The Section uses a methodology called the “Political Analysis and Multiple Scenarios System” (SAPEM). This system combines qualitative and

10 11 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

SLA is composed of the Executive Office of the In relation to afro-descendents in the Americas, The Commission is composed of eight Secretary and the following dependencies: DIL promotes the training of afro-descendent DEFENDING Rapporteurships and two Units that analyze and • Department of International Law leaders, as well as the incorporation of this present reports on the human right conditions • Department of Legal Cooperation theme into OAS policies and programs. HUMAN RIGHTS of vulnerable groups, which generate stronger commitments to protect them, and thus improve DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL LAW DEPARTMENT OF LEGAL COOPERATION The Inter-American Human Rights System; is domestic laws, policies and practices on human composed of the Inter-American Commission rights issues in the region. The Department of International Law (DIL) The Department of Legal Cooperation provides on Human Rights (IACHR), created in 1959, and Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of advises the General Assembly, the Meeting of advisory and technical secretariat services to the Inter-American of Human Rights, • Expression Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the the Meetings of Ministers of Justice or other established in 1979 and located in San José, Permanent Council, the General Secretariat, and Ministers or Attorney Generals of the Americas Costa Rica. • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Women (REMJA), and to the Conference of States Parties. other organs, agencies, and entities of the OAS • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Migrant INTER-AMERICAN COMMISSION ON HUMAN on matters of public and private international law Workers and their Families and the statutory and regulatory aspects of the This Department also coordinates the Inter- RIGHTS functioning of those bodies. American Program for Cooperation and the • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Indigenous Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation of The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights Peoples This Department also provides secretariat support the Inter-American Convention against Corruption (IACHR) -based in Washington, D.C.- is composed • Rapporteurship on the Rights of Persons to: the Inter-American Juridical Committee; (MESICIC), as a means of strengthening national of seven independent commissioners elected by Deprived of Liberty law, supporting institutions that fight corruption, the Member States to promote the observance the Working Group to Examine the Progress • Rapporteurship on the Rights of civil society participation, and international and defense of human rights, and is in charge of Reports of the States Parties to the Protocol of Afro-Descendants and against Racial organizations to follow up on, evaluate, and publishing an annual report on this matter. San Salvador, in accordance with the Standards Discrimination for the Preparation of Periodic Reports pursuant report corruption in the region. This program to Article 19 of the Protocol of San Salvador was established after the signing of the Inter- Since 1959, the Commission has processed more • Rapporteurship on Human Right Defenders on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights; and American Convention against Corruption in 1996. than 13.000 cases and receives, analyzes and • Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child investigates more than 1.000 individual petitions matters relating to indigenous peoples. • Unit on the Rights of LGTBI Persons The Department also promotes regional with the objective of determining States’ Moreover, the DIL supports efforts of Member cooperation, the exchange of information and responsibility on the violation of the human • Unit on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights States to adopt legislative measures for investigation of cybercrime. rights that are guaranteed in the American ensuring access to public information. The 2010 Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man, and INTER-AMERICAN COURT OF HUMAN General Assembly approved the Model Inter- other related inter-American treaties. RIGHTS American Law on Access to Information, which provided the Member States with the legal and Regarding the cases that are presented, the The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is an regulatory framework required to guarantee Commission may bring together the petitioner autonomous judicial of the OAS whose the right of access to information, as well as and the State to explore a “friendly settlement.” mission is the application and interpretation of an Implementation Guide for the law. Also, the If such an outcome is not possible, the IACHR the Inter-American Convention on Human Rights Department promotes courses on legal topics of may recommend specific measures to be carried and other related treaties, and to uphold the interest to the Hemisphere. out by the State to remedy the violation. If the basic rights and freedoms of men and women of State involved is one of the twenty-one states the Americas. In regards to the protection of personal data, which has accepted the Inter-American Court’s the DIL aids the Member States in making jurisdiction, the case may be submitted tothe The Court consists of seven judges from the decisions related to the harmonization of law, Court. Organization’s Member States elected in an the improvement of regional cooperation, and individual capacity from among jurists of the the search for substantial relevant elements. highest moral authority and of recognized competence in the field of human rights.

12 13 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

Following up on a mandate of the VI Summit of In 1999, the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism the Americas, the OAS developed –under the CICTE also promotes universal accession GUARANTEEING A (MEM) was established as a key instrument to leadership of Secretary General Insulza- the Report to international antiterrorism conventions, assess the anti-drug activities of the Member “The Drug Problem in the Americas”. This report increases cooperation in border areas and MULTIDIMENSIONAL consists of an analytical study that examines States. This evaluation is carried out through security measures related to travel documents, each one of the aspects of the problem, such as FOCUS ON SECURITY the elaboration and publication of national and health, development, security, production, legal and implements training and crisis management hemispheric reports on the progress made in alternatives and the costs of the illegal market and activities. drug control, which are drafted by government the current environment of drug policies in the In 2003, the Member States of the OAS adopted experts designated by OAS Member States. hemisphere. In addition, it includes four possible In addition, CICTE supports Member States the “Declaration on Security in the Americas”, This instrument contributes to the systematic scenarios in addressing the problem through 2025 to fulfill their obligations emanating from which established a multidimensional focus on collection of information on drugs, the exchange that provide an analysis of the current situation Resolution 1373 of the Security Council of security. This new approach included traditional of experiences, and to help the Member States in the region, and an evaluation of best practices the United Nations and the Inter-American threats and new ones, such as trafficking identify the areas requiring higher levels of and new approaches that are being undertaken in Convention against Terrorism. in persons, terrorism, drug trafficking, and cooperation. different countries, as well as a description of the basic challenges and obstacles to improve results. transnational organized , among others. DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SECURITY Through this new focus, the OAS security agenda Three conclusions of the Secretary General: aims to confront these challenges. The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission is comprised of the following The Department of Public Security follows 1. The drug problem should be managed sections: up with the resolutions approved by the OAS This Secretariat for Multidimensional Security considering the situation of each political organs in the areas of its competence in • Demand Reduction consists of the following dependencies: country; demining, trafficking in persons, organized crime • Supply Reduction 2. Countries with fewer resources and • Inter-American Drug Abuse Control • Institutional Strengthening and gangs, small arms and light weapons, the less institutional structure have more Commission • Anti-Money Laundering Unit security of small island States, the prevention of difficulties with the impact of drug • Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) threats against public security. • Inter-American Committee against Terrorism trafficking; and • Inter-American Observatory on Drugs • Department of Public Security 3. A multifaceted and flexible public health This Department offers support and technical Through the Inter-American Observatory on approach is required that considers the advice to the Member States in the field of differences among countries. INTER-AMERICAN DRUG ABUSE CONTROL Drugs (OID), the CICAD helps countries to improve humanitarian action against mines, including the the collection and analysis of drug-related data COMMISSION (CICAD) humane removal of mines; and education on the by promoting the establishment of national risk of mines for affected populations. observatories and the use of standardized The mission of the CICAD is to strengthen methods and data; and by providing scientific INTER-AMERICAN COMMITTEE AGAINST the human and institutional capabilities of The Department carries out efforts against and technical training for professionals working its Member States, in order to reduce the TERRORISM trafficking in persons in the Hemisphere, offers on drug issues and the exchange of experiences production, trafficking and use of illegal drugs, training seminars and workshops, promotes among themselves. and to deal with its sanitary, social and penal The Inter-American Committee against Terrorism the exchange of information and other forms consequences. (CICTE) coordinates efforts to protect Member of assistance to agencies, immigration Since 2010, OAS Member States adopted a State citizens from terrorism. officials, judges, and others in the hemispheric strategy on drugs that emphasizes CICAD manages and implements action programs drafting of to combat trafficking; the respect for human rights, addresses addiction focused on preventing and treating substance CICTE’s objectives include improving information promotes government initiatives to identify as a chronic and a recurring disease, and proposes abuse, reducing the supply and availability of exchange among competent national authorities; existing cases, and pursues criminal prosecution a broader approach on the treatment of the drug illicit drugs, strengthening national drug control creating and updating an inter-American and the protection of victims. problem. institutions and machinery, developing alternate database on terrorism matters. CICTE works sources of income for growers of coca, poppy, on programs related to border control, cyber The Department also provides legal and technical and marijuana, assisting member governments security, maritime and port security, legislative aid to the Member States in their fight against to improve their data gathering and analysis on assistance, and the fight against financing of organized crime, implements the mandates of all aspects of the drug issue, and helping measure terrorism. the General Assembly on firearms, ammunition their progress in addressing the issue. and explosives, reinforces the objectives and mandates of the Consultative Committee

14 15 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations of the Inter-American Convention Against DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, The OAS Program of Competitiveness fosters the Illicit Manufacturing of and Trafficking in EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT the productivity and competitiveness of Firearms, Ammunition, Explosives, and other Member States, through dialogue, cooperation, Related Materials (CIFTA), and is responsible The Department of Human Development, exchange of experiences and good practices, for coordinating the Plan of Action against Education, and Employment (DHDEE) supports and the adoption of initiatives orientated to Transnational Organized Crime. Furthermore, the OAS Member States in their efforts to ensure strengthening public policies, Micro, Small and Department provides support to small states in quality education and to promote human Medium Enterprises (MSEs), and human and SPECIALIZED the area of public security according to General development, decent work and job creation. institutional capacity building. Assembly Resolution AG/RES. 2112 (XXXV-O/05), DHDEE serves as the Technical Secretariat of ORGANIZATIONS “Special Security Concerns of the Small Island the Inter-American Committee on Education DESD supports the Inter-American Social States of the Caribbean.” (CIE), and fosters political dialogue and technical Protection Network (IASPN), and the Inter- AND OTHER ENTITIES cooperation in areas that the Ministers of American Competitiveness Network with the This Department is also responsible for the Education and Labor identify as priorities. goal of promoting horizontal, south-south and INTER-AMERICAN planning and development of Ministerial and triangular cooperation between authorities and COMMISSION OF WOMEN other high-level meetings in the areas of public The DHDEE is responsible for promoting councils of competitiveness. (CIM) security, such as the Meeting of Ministers of academic and professional development of Public Security of the Americas (MISPA) and the the youth in the Americas, and administers the This Department is the Technical Secretariat of The Inter-American Commission Meeting of National Authorities on Trafficking in OAS scholarship program that facilitates access the Joint Working Group in charge of drafting of Women is the principal forum for hemispheric Persons. to higher education and professional training. the Plan of Action of the Social Charter of the policy to advance women’s rights and gender Additionally, the Department supports the Inter- Americas. equality. Established in 1928, CIM was the first American Network for Labor Administration official intergovernmental agency in the world (RIAL) and the Inter-American Teacher Network. DEPARTMENT OF SUSTAINABLE created expressly to ensure recognition of the DEVELOPMENT civil and political rights of women. DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT The mission of the Department of Sustainable One of its main accomplishments has been the PROMOTING Development (DSD) is to support Member States creation of the Inter-American Convention for The Department of Economic and Social in the design and implementation of policies the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of INTEGRAL Development (DESD) supports Member States oriented to integrate environmental priorities Violence against Women, which was adopted to optimize the advantages to be gained from with socio-economic development goals at a in 1994 by the OAS General Assembly in Belem DEVELOPMENT trade and tourism and corporate responsibility hemispheric level. DSD supports the execution do Pará, Brazil, and has been ratified by 32 of businesses, as well as competitiveness, the of sustainable projects in integrated water Member States of the OAS. During the last AND PROSPERITY use of science, technology and innovation for management, renewable energy, prevention of decade, the Convention has contributed to a sustainable growth, through political dialogue, soil degradation, reduction of the risks of natural better awareness that violence against women The Executive Secretariat for Integral Development strategic partnerships and the development of disasters, preservation of biological diversity and constitutes a human rights violation, which has (SEDI) coordinates the implementation of business opportunities in the Americas. supports programs related to , led to positive changes in legislation and policies horizontal cooperation programs, regional economy and policy. for the protection of women. ministerial meetings, and offers support to the Furthermore, through the Migration and CIDI and the Special Multilateral Fund of CIDI Development Program (MIDE) and the Continuous The Department executes technical cooperation CIM promotes and protects women’s rights, (FEMCIDI). SEDI is made up of the Office of the Reporting System on International Migration projects and promotes the exchange of and supports the Member States in their efforts Executive Secretary and consists of the following (SICREMI) it promotes the development of information on sustainable development in the to ensure the full exercise of civil, political, departments: public policies aimed at improving migratory region and the participation of civil society in economic, social, and cultural rights that will • Department of Human Development, management in the Americas. Moreover, the decision-making on environmental management allow equal participation for women and men in Education, and Employment DESD promotes the preservation and protection issues. DSD offers technical inputs for the planning all aspects of society. • Department of Economic and Social of the cultural heritage of the Americas. and development of ministerial meetings, sectoral Development meetings, and meetings of the Inter-American • Department of Sustainable Development Committee on Sustainable Development.

16 17 ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF THE Department of International Affairs ORGANIZATION OF Secretariat for External Relations AMERICAN STATES

INTER-AMERICAN JURIDICAL COMMITTEE (IAJC) With headquarters in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the Inter-American Juridical Committee serves as the legal advisory body to the OAS. The Committee is made up of 11 members designated by the Member States and elected by the General Assembly. Topics covered include: hemispheric General Assembly security; administration of justice; laws regarding information and personal data; human rights and Permanent Council biomedicine; illicit enrichment; transnational bribery; and cooperation against terrorism. The CJI has the Autonomous and Decentralized capacity to submit independent legal opinions regarding the themes of the inter-American agenda.

Inter-American Inter-American INTER-AMERICAN CHILDREN’S INSTITUTE (IIN) Court of Human Commission of General Secretariat Assistant The purpose of the Inter-American Children’s Institute is to improve the living standards Rights Women (CIM) Secretary General of children and their families. The IIN conducts programs in the areas of health, education, social legislation, social services and information. Offers technical assistance Inter-American Inter-American Chief of Chief of Commission on Telecommunication Staff Staff in policy formulation and in activities for the development, monitoring, and evaluation Human Rights Commission of programs designed to improve management in homes that care for children and in (IACHR) (CITEL) Department of Office of the Coordinating national agencies that coordinate such programs. Office of OAS Summits Legal Services Secretariat to the Office for Office Protocol Administrative of the Secretariat General Assembly, the Offices INTER-AMERICAN TELECOMMUNICATION COMMISSION (CITEL) Inspector the Meeting of and Units of (TRIBAD) Consultation, the the General The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission was established by the OAS Permanent Council, Secretariat in General Assembly in 1993 as the region’s principal forum in which representatives of Academic and and Subsidiary the Member Inter-American Technical Studies Organs States Member States and the telecommunications private sector meet to coordinate the Children’s Scholarship ongoing development in this sector. CITEL has Permanent Consultative Committees (PCC), and is composed Institute (IIN) Selection Department of of all the Member States and of associate members representing private telecommunication enterprises Committee Conferences Columbus and entities, permanent observers, and regional and international organizations. and Meetings Board of External Management Library Auditors JUSTICE STUDIES CENTER OF THE AMERICAS (JSCA) The Justice Studies Center of the Americas created in 1999 and based in Santiago, Chile, conducts training activities, studies and empirical research projects in order to

develop innovative approaches for judicial reform. JSCA promotes cooperation and Secretariat Executive Secretariat for Secretariat the exchange of experiences among key actors of the justice sector, and disseminates legal instruments to for Political Secretariat Secretariat for Secretariat Administration for External Affairs for Integral Multidimensional for Legal improve the quality of justice in the Americas. and Finance Relations Development Security Affairs Department Department Department of INTER-AMERICAN COMMITTEE ON PORTS (CIP) Executive of Electoral Department of Human Planning and Department of Department Secretariat Since its inception in 1998, the mission of the Inter-American Committee on Ports has Cooperation of Human Resources Evaluation International of Press and of the Inter- and Development, Law Communication been to serve as an Inter-American forum to strengthen cooperation and development American Drug Observation Education and Department of of the port sector with the active collaboration and participation of the private sector. Abuse Control Financial and Employment Department of Commission Administrative Department CIP is the main advisory body of the OAS and is responsible for proposing policies that Procurement Department of Department (CICAD) Management respond to the common needs of the port sector in the Hemisphere. of Legal International of Sustainable Department Services Cooperation Affairs Democracy of Economic Secretariat INTER-AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF HUMAN RIGHTS (IIHR) and Special and Social of the Inter- Department Department Missions Development American of Information of General The Inter-American Institute of Human Rights is an independent, international academic Art Museum of Committee and Services the Americas Technology institution, created in 1980, with its headquarters in San Jose, Costa Rica. The mission Department against Services of IIHR is to promote and strengthen respect for human rights and to contribute to the consolidation of Sustainable Terrorism Department of (CICTE) of democracy through education, academic research, technical assistance and the dissemination of Effective Public Development knowledge on human rights by means of specialized publications. IIHR cooperates with the Inter-American Management Department of Court of Human Rights and the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights; it works with all sectors of Public Security civil society, with Member States, as well as with international organizations.

18 PRINCIPLES AND MEANS OF CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION Department of International Affairs IN OAS ACTIVITIES SECTION Secretariat for External Relations TWO This resolution outlines: and in the Summits of the Americas Process.” This Fund aims to provide financial support • The activities in which CSOs can participate to facilitate participation by registered CSOs • The creation of a CSO registry within the OAS in the activities of the political bodies ofthe Responsibilities of CSOs once they are OAS, such as the General Assembly and the he 1948 OAS Charter establishes, as a • registered in the Organization’s system. Permanent Council, through the Committee on function of the General Assembly, the Inter-American Summits Management and Civil possibility of concluding agreements T Wishing to increase civil society participation in In Resolution CP/RES. 840 (1361/03) “Strategies Society Participation in OAS Activities (CISC), the or making special arrangements with “other its activities, the Organization adopted various for Increasing and Strengthening Participation by Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG), American agencies of recognized international initiatives and resolutions strengthening the role Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities,” the appropriate ministerial meetings, and other OAS standing.” The various organs, agencies, and of CSOs at the OAS, particularly: Organization established strategies that expand activities. entities of the Organization have developed, in • CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), “Guidelines for the the opportunities for civil society participation, the framework of their institutional objectives, Participation of Civil Society Organizations in including: One of the five Committees of the Permanent various types of linkages with national and OAS Activities” Council, the CISC was created to establish international institutions. This process has • CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), “Strategies for Having knowledge of and access to activities procedures to ensure the interaction between enriched and given rise to especially important • Increasing and Strengthening Participation by on the hemispheric agenda in the subject CSOs and the political bodies of the OAS. Such innovations in the field of intergovernmental Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities” areas defined by the Member States participation envisions CSOs as stakeholders and organizations. • CP/RES. 864 (1413/04), “Specific Fund to • Developing and executing projects with the supervisors of their own development. Support the Participation of Civil Society OAS General Secretariat to formulate public The OAS has made great strides in terms of Organizations in OAS Activities and in the policy The Department of International Affairs (DIA) civil society participation, such as arranging Summits of the Americas Process” Promoting strategic alliances between of the Secretariat for External Relations is opportunities for dialogue; developing • civil society, the OAS, and private-sector responsible for developing and executing mechanisms for civil society participation in enterprises, in order to provide technical strategies and activities designed to promote and political forums, project execution, cooperation, assistance, training, and reciprocal services broaden civil society participation in all of the and partnership program development; and for better practices activities related to the work of the Organization. the exchange of experiences and information Establishing organized, legitimate, and broad in efforts to make formulation • participation by CSOs in the region and the The OAS established three mechanisms to facilitate responsive to the needs and realities of societies inter-American system civil society participation in its activities, including: in the Americas. • Institutionalizing direct dialogue with • The Civil Society Registry CIVIL SOCIETY governments and various organizations • Participation in OAS-related Meetings In 1999, with the adoption of Resolution CP/RES. and bodies of the inter-American and • Cooperation Agreements 759 (1217/99) of the OAS Permanent Council, international system “Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society PARTICIPATION Participating in virtual consultations through Organizations in OAS Activities,” the Organization IN OAS ACTIVITIES • the Internet to identify challenges and defined these organizations as any national or initiatives in the various areas of endeavor of international institution, organization, or entity Civil society inputs contribute to the policy making REGISTRATION OF CIVIL SOCIETY the OAS. made up of natural or juridical persons of a non- of the Member States. These organizations ORGANIZATIONS IN THE OAS governmental nature. have the chance to strengthen the exchange of information and knowledge with the public Resolution CP/RES. 864 (1413/04) established Registration, as set out in Permanent Council sector at a regional and international level. the “Specific Fund to Support the Participation resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), provides CSOs of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities with an opportunity to be part of the hemispheric This participation was promoted by Resolution network of organizations working in the various CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) “Guidelines for the thematic areas of interest to the Member States Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS and to have access to information on political, Activities,” which defined the process by which economic, and social processes under way in CSOs can request to apply to participate in the the OAS, which are part of the inter-American activities of the Organization. agenda.

20 21 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

Registration facilitates the exchange of Additionally, the request shall be accompanied information and experiences that can enrich REGISTRATION by copies of the following documents: the design of governmental policies by means BENEFITS of organized participation and dialogue among OF REGISTRATION PROCEDURES • Charter or Constitution and of the CSOs, governments, and inter-American and CSO (notarized copy) international organizations. The following benefits are provided to CSOs CSOs interested in becoming part of the Registry • Most recent annual report of the activities of registered in the OAS: of CSOs in the OAS should direct a letter to the organization the OAS Secretary General, with a copy to the • Institutional mission statement (signed by a • Participation in public meetings of the Department of International Affairs: director or the legal representative) Permanent Council, the Inter-American • Financial statements for the previous fiscal Council for Integral Development (CIDI), and Secretary General year, including reference to any public and their subsidiary bodies Organization of American States private sources of financing (signed by the REQUIREMENTS FOR • Input by means of written documents on MNB – 20 financial officer or the public accountant of CSO REGISTRATION matters thematically relevant to meetings 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. the organization). of the Permanent Council or CIDI, preferably Washington, D.C. 20006 not to exceed 2,000 words (texts exceeding Resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) establishes U.S.A. 2,000 words must be accompanied by the following requirements for a civil society executive summaries, which the General organization to become part of the Registry of Director Secretariat shall distribute). Likewise, the CSOs in the OAS: Department of International Affairs CSO may give a presentation at the beginning Organization of American States of the deliberations, with prior approval from • The CSO shall be of recognized standing ADM-109 the relevant Committee of the Permanent within its particular field of competence and 19th street and Constitution Ave., N.W. Council or of the CIDI shall be of a representative nature Washington, D.C. 20006 • Access to draft resolutions and/or resolutions • The CSO shall have an institutional structure U.S.A. adopted by the General Assembly and that includes appropriate mechanisms for authorization to comment on them holding its officers accountable and subject Fax: 202-458-3555 • Ability to receive the resolutions adopted to its members, a legal representative, an Email: [email protected] by the OAS General Assembly at its annual , as well as an established regular session headquarters The letter should be accompanied by the • With the Chair’s authorization, participation • The CSO must afford a degree of independence following information: in closed meetings of the Permanent Council, in managing the financial resources obtained the CIDI and their political bodies from its affiliates or individual members • Official name, address, and date of • Receipt of documents in advance of the • The CSO must conduct its activities in one or establishment of the organization and meetings of the working groups or specialized more of the OAS Member States. the name(s) of its directors and legal groups of the Permanent Council or the representative(s) CIDI. With prior authorization, the CSO may • Primary areas of activity and their relationship make a statement and have it distributed to to the activities of the OAS organs, agencies, Member States for their consideration and entities in which it wishes to participate; • Apply for funding from the Specific Fund • Reasons why the CSO believes its proposed to Support the Participation of Civil Society contributions to OAS activities would be of Organizations in OAS Activities and inthe interest to the Organization Summits of the Americas Process. • Identification of the OAS work areas in which it proposes to support ongoing activities or to make recommendations on the best way to achieve OAS objectives.

22 23 CIVIL SOCIETY REGISTRATION PROCESS Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations IN THE OAS

In the case of meetings of committees of the AT OAS Permanent Council or of CIDI, registered CSOs may distribute written documents in advance, MEETINGS in accordance with article 13.c of CP/RES. 759 (1217/99), and, with prior approval from the Registered civil society organizations may committee in question, may give a presentation 1. Send letter 2. Application participate, make presentations, provide at the beginning of the deliberations. Civil package society organizations may not participate in the to the Secretary Application information, and at the request of the organs, reviewed by the agencies, and entities of the OAS, provide expert deliberations, negotiations, or decisions adopted General with documents Department of advice, in accordance with resolution CP/RES. by Member States. supporting complete documentation International 759 (1217/99). Affairs (DIA) In the case of meetings of expert groups and working groups of the Permanent Council or of CIDI, registered CSOs that have special competence in the issue to be discussed shall 3. Analysis receive the relevant documents in advance by DIA Application and, with the prior approval of the meeting, documents PARTICIPATION IN may present a statement at the beginning of incomplete the deliberations, the text of which may be MEETINGS distributed in advance to the Member States. With such approval, they may also give a OF THE PERMANENT presentation once the consideration of the issue 4. DIA submits COUNCIL, CIDI, AND has concluded. Civil society organizations may the analysis to THEIR SUBSIDIARY not participate in the deliberations, negotiations, the CISC BODIES or decisions adopted by Member States.

Registered CSOs may designate representatives to attend, as observers, public meetings of the 5. CISC considers Permanent Council, CIDI, and their subsidiary registration bodies. Non-registered CSOs may also attend, 7. CSO 6. Permanent applications as observers, public meetings of the Permanent registered with Council considers and presents its Council, CIDI, and their subsidiary bodies as long the OAS application recommendations as they fulfill the requirements specified in CP/ registration to the Permanent RES. 759 (1217/99). Council Meetings held under OAS auspices are generally open to the public, but can be closed under exceptional circumstances by decision of the Chairman of the meeting due to the nature of CSO registration CSO Registration the matter. Likewise, it should be noted that application is application is not each political body, specialized organization, approved approved or committee of the OAS can establish specific criteria for civil society participation in its activities.

25 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

Any CSO (regardless of whether it is registered or Procedures for Civil Society Participation secretariats, can sign cooperation agreements on not) wishing to attend the annual OAS General in OAS-related Meetings the development and implementation of activities Article 13.c of CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) Assembly, must send a letter to the Secretary in all work areas of the Organization. Cooperation A registered civil society organization may present General, with a copy to the Department of To participate in an OAS meeting or activity, a agreements with the OAS may be classified as written documents, not exceeding 2,000 words, International Affairs at least 45 days in advance CSO must send a letter of request to the OAS follows: preferably in two of the official languages of the of the opening session, indicating their interest Secretary General, taking the following into OAS, on questions that fall within its particular to observe the proceedings under the category consideration: • General cooperation agreements: Those sphere of competence and appear on the agenda of “Special Guests.” The indicated time period • If the CSO is registered, it need only intended to provide advisory services to or order of business for the meeting. These is necessary because the Secretary General send a letter expressing its interest in the OAS organs, agencies, and entities and documents shall be distributed by the General should submit a final list of organizations to the participating, its name, the title of the disseminate information on its activities and Secretariat to member states, insofar as possible, Permanent Council for approval at least thirty (30) meeting in which it wishes to participate, programs in two of the official languages of the OAS. Texts days prior to the General Assembly. Additionally, and the name of the representative who exceeding 2,000 words shall be accompanied will attend • Special cooperation agreements: by executive summaries in two of the official the organizations on the list must be authorized • If the CSO is not registered, the following Agreements on the development of languages of the OAS, which the Secretariat shall by the host country. This process is independent o documents must be attached to the technical, administrative, or financial distribute sufficiently ahead of time. The complete of other CSO participation processes in the OAS. letter of request: text of the document may be distributed in its programs in order to conduct specific original language or languages, the cost to be In the case of CSOs not registered in the OAS, o Official name and date of programs in OAS areas of activity establishment of the organization, borne by the civil society organization in question. once it has sent a letter of request together with o Agreements relating to inter-American and the names of its directors and the corresponding documents and the request specialized organizations, which are legal representative has been approved by the Permanent Council, coordinated through the OAS o Statutes and Charter or the CSO will receive identification giving it access o Agreements established directly by the Constitution to the meeting as a “special guest”. Secretary General. o Institutional mission statement o Most recent annual report and A CSO wishing to establish a cooperation financial statements for the agreement with the OAS must first identify the previous fiscal year Department of the General Secretariat that handles the thematic area in question. Second, the organization must submit a proposal with PROCEDURES FOR clearly defined objectives and determine the type of agreement it would like to conclude (whether general or specific). Likewise, the CSO must also CIVIL SOCIETY realize that, under a cooperation agreement with the OAS, it is required to have the economic PARTICIPATION resources and sufficient staff to fulfill and follow IN OAS-RELATED up as necessary on the obligations and stipulations MEETINGS COOPERATION set forth in the agreement. AGREEMENTS If a preliminary agreement is reached between the Another mechanism for participation is requesting General Secretariat and the CSO, a document will to be invited to an OAS-related meeting, Resolution AG/RES. 57 (I/O-71), “Standards on be drawn up for the Secretary General’s approval conference, or ministerial-level meeting. Under Cooperative Relations between the Organization and signature. this option, the CSO should send a letter 30 days of American States and the United Nations, prior to the event, indicating that it wishes to Its Specialized Agencies, and Other National participate in a meeting or special conference. and International Organizations,” authorizes Should its request be approved, the organization the Secretary General to sign cooperation in question would be granted observer and agreements. The OAS General Secretariat be classified as a “special guest.” and its departments, offices, and technical

26 27 SUMMITS OF THE Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations SECTION AMERICAS AND THREE CIVIL SOCIETY

he Summits of the Americas Process is the highest level intergovernmental forum in the Hemisphere, in which the Heads of Members of the Joint Summit Working T Group State and Government of the Member States 1. Identify OAS 2. Identify type of define and discuss the inter-American agenda. o Organization of American States PROCEDURES FOR Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) technical area agreement The Chair of the process is the government that o COOPERATION AGREEMENTS is to host or has recently hosted the Summit. o Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) The process is guided by shared values and by Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) BETWEEN CIVIL SOCIETY commonly established institutional mechanisms. o o Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on ORGANIZATIONS AND These institutional mechanisms are charged Agriculture (IICA) World Bank with leading the process, decision-making is o THE OAS Andean Development Foundation (CAF) made, and implementation and follow-up of o o Central American Bank for Economic Summit mandates is carried out. Integration (CABEI) Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) At the Summit of the Americas in Quebec in 2001, o o International Organization for Migration (IOM) the Heads of State and Government recognized the International Labor Organization (ILO) central role the OAS plays in supporting the Summits o o United Nations Development Programme 6. Discussions 4. Review of the Americas process as its technical secretariat (UNDP) and institutional memory. As such, the Summits with respect to 5. Submission proposal by 3. Submit of supporting of the Americas Secretariat was established in the the content and OAS Project proposal OAS to institutionalize that function. text of agreement documentation Evaluation Committee The Summits of the Americas Secretariat coordinates follow-up on implementation of Summit mandates and supports the Summit

Implementation Review Group (SIRG), the SIRG’s SUMMIT FOLLOW-UP Steering Committee and Executive Council, the MECHANISMS ministerial meetings, and the OAS Permanent Council’s Committee on Inter-American Summits The SIRG was established in 1995 and is chaired Management and Civil Society Participation in by the Member State hosting the Summit. The OAS Activities (CISC). Likewise, the Secretariat host countries have been United States, Bolivia, coordinates with the host country and the various Chile, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Trinidad and 10. Signature 7. Preliminary 8. Review of 9. technical areas of the OAS on preparations Tobago, and Colombia. Panama currently chairs and registration for upcoming Summits of the Americas and agreement agreement prior of authority for the Process in preparation for the VII Summit of of cooperation the participation of diverse social actors in the reached to signature signature the Americas that will take place in 2015. agreement Summit Process. The SIRG is composed of representatives of The OAS chairs the Joint Summit Working the democratically elected governments of Group (JSWG), a group of international and the Hemisphere, represented by their national inter-American institutions that coordinate the coordinators, usually the Deputy Foreign Minister preparations for and the follow-up to the Summit or person in charge of Western Hemisphere process. affairs at the Foreign Ministry. The SIRG is

28 29 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

responsible for monitoring progress on fulfilling 1996, and entrusted the OAS with assigning priority the mandates issued in the various Summits and to the formulation of the Inter-American Strategy for negotiating the texts to be approved at future OPPORTUNITIES CIVIL SOCIETY the Promotion of Public Participation in Decision- Summits. The SIRG meets on average three IN THE SUMMITS OF making. The strategy was intended to promote times a year, with at least one meeting held at FOR CIVIL SOCIETY THE AMERICAS the exchange of experiences and information the Ministerial-level in the framework of the OAS PARTICIPATION IN THE among governments and civil society groups on the General Assembly. formulation, implementation, and improvement of In just over a decade and a half, with six Summits SUMMITS PROCESS sustainable development programs and policies and of the Americas, a Summit on Sustainable The SIRG has a Steering Committee composed of in high-level meetings. Development, and a Special Summit of the the future and past Summit hosts. Its function The Summits of the Americas process has Americas, the Summit Process has demonstrated is to assist the chair of the Summit Process in established that CSO participation is a valuable the Member States’ commitment to engage in SECOND SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS – preparing for the meetings of the SIRG and its and significant means of including social actors discussion and find common solutions to the SANTIAGO, CHILE – 1998 Executive Council. in efforts to bring about economic and social challenges of the region. development and attain . The At the Second Summit of the Americas, The SIRG Executive Council was created in the Declarations of the Summit of the Americas the Heads of State and Government recognized Quebec City Plan of Action (2001) as a regionally FIRST SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS recognize the important role of civil society that education was “the determining factor for the representative group of member countries – MIAMI, FLORIDA, UNITED and have sought to create opportunities for a political, social, cultural, and economic development whose role is to support the work of the SIRG STATES – 1994 continued and sustained interaction between of our peoples,” and highlighted the need to and assess and strengthen the follow-up of encourage civil society to participate in educational civil society and the governments of Member At the First Summit of the Americas, the Summit initiatives and preparations for future development. This Summit also reaffirmed the States. Heads of State and Government expressed an Summits. The members of the Executive Council importance of increasing active participation by civil include the past host countries of the Summits; a interest in the consolidation and diversification The OAS, through the Summits of the Americas society. representative of CARICOM; a representative of of in the Hemisphere in such a Secretariat and the Department of International the Andean Community; Brazil; a representative way as to ensure their sustainability. It was Affairs, has developed a number of initiatives THIRD SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS – of the Rio Group; and the country that presides primarily for that reason that they underscored to create opportunities for participation and QUEBEC CITY, CANADA – 2001 over the Central American Integration System the importance of participation by individuals, discussion, and to report on the follow-up of (SICA). labor unions, political parties, academics, the Summit mandates in the inter-American system. private sector, and CSOs in public affairs and At the Third Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Government expressed Another objective of the SIRG Executive Council recognized that public participation was pivotal The OAS supports civil society forums to formulate appreciation for civil society’s contributions to is to deepen partnerships and coordination to the success of any democracy in a framework recommendations in relation to the Summit the Quebec City Plan of Action and recognized between the Summit process and the partner of accountability and transparency. Process and inter-American agenda, holds special civil society’s important role in the consolidation institutions of the JSWG. meetings with the SIRG to exchange information SUMMIT ON SUSTAINABLE of democracy and its participation in government programs, as one of the most valuable resources for on the Summit Process, and works with various DEVELOPMENT – SANTA CRUZ, civil society networks to exchange information the success of development policies. BOLIVIA – 1996 and provide feedback on implementation and follow-up of Summit mandates among CSOs, The Heads of State and Government entrusted At the Summit of the Americas on Sustainable governments, and the organizations of the inter- the OAS, other multilateral organizations and Development, the Heads of State and Government American and international systems. development banks with developing strategies to decided to promote increased opportunities for enable civil society to participate more fully in the groups, organizations, businesses, and individuals inter-American system. to express ideas and exchange information on sustainable development. The Heads of State and Government promoted the role of CSOs, together with technical professionals The Heads of State decided to take into account the and regional and educational institutions, in the recommendations of the Inter-American Seminar development and implementation of disaster on Public Participation, held in Montevideo in management policies at both the national

30 31 Department of International Affairs Department of International Affairs Secretariat for External Relations Secretariat for External Relations

and community levels. Moreover, they communities, and civil society will contribute to relations and resource mobilization activities; recognized the contributions made by CSOs ensuring that the benefits of democracy are shared For current and updated information on the carrying out the Lecture Series of the Americas to the promotion of national strategies for the by society as a whole. Summit process and civil society/social actor Program; establishing and maintaining strategic sustainable development of agriculture and the participation opportunities, please visit the Summit of the Americas Secretariat website: alliances with civil society, sister agencies in the improvement of living standards in rural areas. During the Summit, the leaders recognized the UN and the Inter-American system to advance pivotal role that the OAS plays in the implementation http://www.summit-americas.org and/or write to [email protected] to sign up for the OAS the OAS agenda; organizing policy roundtables The Quebec City Plan of Action recognized that and follow-up of Summit mandates, and instructed Summit distribution list. and briefings for diverse audiences on OAS democracy is a way of life based on freedom the General Secretariat to continue to act as priorities and work; all in order to achieve the and improved economic, social, and cultural technical secretariat; provide support for meetings Organization’s main goal of improving the lives conditions for the people of the Americas in a of the SIRG, ministerial meetings and specialized of all citizens in the Americas. context of good governance, management, and conferences; coordinate the participation of values, taking into account the inputs of CSOs. civil society; and ensure the dissemination of DIA also directs and coordinates the activities in information on the Summits Process and the this field with all the other General Secretariat SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE commitments adopted by the countries. dependencies, provides technical secretariat AMERICAS – MONTERREY, services to the CISC of the Permanent Council MEXICO – 2004 Fifth Summit of the Americas – Port of and is responsible for the Registry of Civil Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – 2009 THE SECRETARIAT Society Organizations (CSO) in the OAS. At the Special Summit of the Americas, the FOR EXTERNAL Heads of State and Government agreed that, At the Fifth Summit of the Americas, the supports the work through citizen participation, civil society Heads of State and Government agreed to RELATIONS of all the OAS technical areas, as the principal organizations should contribute to the design, continue encouraging the participation of citizens, regional political forum of the Hemisphere, implementation, and evaluation of public communities, and civil society in the design and by promoting a broad knowledge of the policies adopted by different orders or levels of execution of development policies and programs, Organization and to stimulate concrete support government. by providing technical and financial assistance, as appropriate, as well as to strengthen and build to its activities. Moreover, the Secretariat strengthens the institutional relations with They also recognized the role of civil society and their capacity to participate more fully in the Inter- Member States, Permanent Observers, regional its contribution to sound American System. and international organizations, civil society, and reaffirmed the importance of continuing academic institutions and the private sector in to forge new partnerships that would Sixth Summit of the Americas – order to implement the inter-American agenda enable constructive ties to be built amongst Cartagena de Indias, Colombia agreed by the hemispheric leaders. governments, nongovernmental organizations, – 2012 international organizations, and the diverse sectors of civil society in order to work in favor At the Sixth Summit of the Americas, the Heads of of development and democracy. Likewise, they State and Government expressed appreciation for pledged to encourage civil society participation civil society’s contributions and recommendations in the Summits of the Americas Process and to on how they can cooperate with governments THE DEPARTMENT institutionalize meetings with civil society and on the follow-up and implementation of Summit OF INTERNATIONAL with the academic and private sectors. mandates and the five sub-topics of the summit: AFFAIRS (DIA) of the security; access to and use of technology; natural Secretariat for External Relations is responsible FOURTH SUMMIT OF THE disasters; poverty, inequality and inequity for advising the Secretary General and the AMERICAS – MAR DEL PLATA, reduction; and integration of physical infrastructure OAS Secretariat, as well as the Organization’s ARGENTINA – 2005 of the Americas. policy-making bodies, on external relations and resource mobilization. Its main functions are: During the Fourth Summit of the strengthening and maintaining relations with Americas, the Heads of State and Government the Permanent Observers of the OAS; advising agreed that the participation of citizens, the technical departments on their external

32 33 For additional information regarding civil society participation in OAS activities, please contact:

Department of International Affairs Organization of American States 19th street and Constitution Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. 20006 - USA

www.civil-society.oas.org Telephone: 202-370-0746

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3434 Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

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