Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

José Miguel Insulza Secretary General

Albert R. Ramdin Assistant Secretary General

Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

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)

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Table of Contents

Preface ...... 4 Abbreviations ...... 5 The Organization of American States and Civil Society ...... 6 Bodies of the OAS ...... 7 General Assembly ...... 7 Councils of the OAS ...... 8 General Secretariat ...... 9 Pillars of the OAS ...... 10 Promoting ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………10 Facilitating Access to Justice…………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 12 Defending Human Rights ...... 13 Guaranteeing a Multidimensional Focus on Security ...... 14 Promoting Integral Development and Prosperity…………………………………………………………………………..16 Specialized Organizations and Other Entities ...... 18 Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities ...... 21 Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities ...... 21 Registration of Civil Society Organizations in the OAS ...... 23 Requirements for CSO Registration ...... 23 Benefits of Registration ...... 23 Registration Procedures ...... 24 Mechanisms of Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings ...... 24 Participation in Meetings of the Permanent Council, CIDI, and their Subsidiary Bodies ...... 26 Procedures for Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings ...... 26 Cooperation Agreements...... 28 Procedures for Cooperation Agreements between Civil Society Organizations and the OAS ...... 28 Summits of the and Civil Society...... 30 Follow-Up Mechanisms ...... 31 Opportunities for Civil Society Participation in the Summits Process ...... 31 Civil Society in the Summits of the Americas ...... 32 First Summit of the Americas – , Florida, – 1994 ...... 32 Summit on Sustainable Development – Santa Cruz, – 1996 ...... 32 Second Summit of the Americas – , – 1998 ...... 32 Third Summit of the Americas – Quebec City, – 2001 ...... 32 Special Summit of the Americas – , – 2004 ...... 33 Fourth Summit of the Americas – , – 2005 ...... 33 Fifth Summit of the Americas – , – 2009 ...... 33 Sixth Summit of the Americas – Cartagena de Indias, – 2012…………………………………….....34

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Preface

Article 6 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, 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 on the inter- American system and contribute to the initiatives set forth by the OAS General Assembly and by the Heads of State and Government 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 disseminate the means by which civil CSOs can participate and take part in OAS activities, promote the participation of civil society in the Inter-American System, and generate awareness on the opportunities to contribute to the formulation of hemispheric policies. 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 part of an on-going effort by the OAS to strengthen and increase the involvement of civil society organizations in the formulation and implementation of the inter-American agenda, the Summits of the Americas, and the goals of the OAS.

José Miguel Insulza Secretary General Organization of American States

“Modern societies 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

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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 Management and Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities of the Permanent Council CEPCIDI Permanent Executive 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 State 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 Community 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

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Section One

The Organization of American States and Civil Society

The Organization of American States (OAS) is Organization’s common principles and the foremost political forum in the respect for the of each Member Hemisphere for multilateral dialogue and the State. Today, the OAS is made up of 35 establishment of the inter-American agenda. independent states of the Americas. The OAS plays a fundamental role in promoting peace, democracy, and justice, The OAS Charter has been amended four fostering solidarity, strengthening times: through the Protocol of cooperation, and defending the sovereignty, (1967), the Protocol of Cartagena de Indias territorial integrity, and independence of its (1985), the Protocol of Washington (1992), Member States. The Organization’s vision is and the Protocol of (1993). based on consensus, dialogue, and cooperation for the economic, social, and The Protocol of Buenos Aires established the political development of the region. Organization’s present structure while the Protocol of Cartagena de Indias strengthened The First International Conference of the Organization’s political role in the American States, inaugurated on October 2, Hemisphere. Later, additional amendments 1889 in Washington, D.C., founded the were introduced through the Protocol of International Union of American Republics Washington, which stipulates that one of the and its Commercial Bureau, which served as essential aims of the OAS is to promote, Secretariat until 1910, when it became the through cooperative action, the economic, Pan-American Union. For half a century, the social, and cultural development of Member Pan-American Union was the forum in which States and help to eradicate extreme poverty agreements and conventions were concluded, in the region, and established the suspension and which also institutionalized legal, of a member state from the OAS if its economic, social, and cultural cooperation in democratically elected government was the Americas. overthrown by force.

At the Ninth International Conference of Along with the Protocol of Washington, the American States, held in Bogotá on April 30, adoption one year earlier of Resolution 1948, 21 nations of the Hemisphere adopted AG/RES. 1080 (XXI-O/91) “Representative the Charter that transformed the Pan- Democracy” represented a regional effort to American Union into the OAS. That strengthen democracy. This resolution conference confirmed support for the established that in the event of any disruption

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of the democratic order there would be a economic, social and cultural development, as convocation of an immediate meeting of the well as the eradication of poverty and Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the hemisphere inequity. The Social Charter acknowledges to make decisions over any unconstitutional that citizens have a legitimate aspiration to alteration of the constitutional regime of a social justice and their governments have the Member State. responsibility to promote it. Furthermore, this Charter recognizes “the contributions of The Protocol of Managua established the indigenous peoples, afro-descendents, and Inter-American Council for Integral migrant communities to the historical process Development (CIDI), whose function is to of the Hemisphere,” and affirms the necessity facilitate cooperation among Member States of governments “to adopt policies to promote on economic and social issues. inclusion and to prevent, combat, and eliminate all forms of intolerance and The Inter-American Democratic Charter was discrimination.” adopted on September 11, 2001 by a special session of the General Assembly of the Bodies of the OAS Organization of American States, held in , . The Democratic Charter is the most The OAS carries out its activities through the important instrument for strengthening and following bodies: the General Assembly; upholding democratic institutions in the Meetings of Consultation of Ministers of nations of the Americas. The Charter, which is Foreign Affairs; the Councils (the Permanent binding for all OAS Member States, defines Council and the Inter-American Council for democracy and specifies how it should be Integral Development); the General defended when it is under threat. Secretariat; specialized conferences; specialized organizations; and other entities The Inter-American Democratic Charter established by its governing bodies. makes specific references to the importance of civil society participation in Articles 6 and General Assembly 26 of its text. Article 26 establishes that “the OAS will continue to carry out programs and The General Assembly is the supreme organ activities designed to promote democratic of the Organization. It gathers the Ministers principles and practices and strengthen a of Foreign Affairs of the Member States each democratic culture in the Hemisphere, year in a regular session, and also holds bearing in mind that democracy is a way of special sessions under particular life based on liberty and enhancement of circumstances. All Member States of the economic, social, and cultural conditions for Organization are represented in the General the peoples of the Americas. The OAS will Assembly and have the right to one vote. consult and cooperate on an ongoing basis with Member States and take into account The General Assembly decides upon the the contributions of civil society organizations general action and policies of the Organization, working in those fields.” determines the structure and functions of its organs, adopts its program-budget, fixes the The Social Charter of the Americas adopted quotas, and considers any matter relating to by the Member States at the XLII General relations among the Member States. Assembly, which took place in Cochabamba, Bolivia on June, 2012, promotes improved

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the Committee on Hemispheric Security Councils of the OAS (CHS), and the Committee on Inter-American Summits Management and Civil Society The OAS has two Councils that are directly Participation in OAS Activities (CISC). If subordinate to the General Assembly: the necessary, the Permanent Council establishes Permanent Council and the Inter-American ad hoc committees or working groups, such as Council for Integral Development (CIDI). Each the Special Committee on Migration Issues Council has the authority granted to it in the and the Joint Working Group of the OAS Charter and other inter-American Permanent Council and CEPCIDI on the instruments, as well as the functions assigned drafting of the Social Charter of the Americas. to it by the General Assembly and the Meetings of Consultation of Ministers of With regard to civil society participation in the OAS, the Permanent Council has approved the Foreign Affairs. following resolutions: • CP/RES.759 (1217/99), "Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS activities" • CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), "Strategies for Increasing and Strengthening Participation by Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities" • CP/RES. 864 (1413/04), "Specific Fund to Support the Participation of Civil Society Organizations in OAS Activities and in the Summits of the American Process"

Inter-American Council for Integral Permanent Council Development

The Permanent Council is composed of one The Inter-American Council for Integral representative of each Member State, Development (CIDI) was established in 1996 appointed with the rank of Ambassador. The by the Protocol of Managua with the principal purpose of the Permanent Council is to purpose to promote integral and sustainable consider matters entrusted to it by the development in the Americas. General Assembly or the Meetings of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, CIDI is composed of representatives of and also sees to the maintenance of relations Ministerial rank appointed by the Member between the Member States, contributes to States in light of the topics addressed, and the peaceful settlement of disputes, and concentrates on policy formulation and serves as the Preparatory Committee of the design, sharing experiences, and developing General Assembly. cooperation networks and partnerships with other institutions to craft and execute The Permanent Council has established five cooperation projects for development. Permanent Committees: the General Committee, the Committee on Juridical and The Permanent Executive Committee of CIDI Political Affairs (CAJP), the Committee on (CEPCIDI) is composed of the Member States. Administrative and Budgetary Affairs (CAAP), The purpose of CEPCIDI is to adopt decisions

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and make recommendations for the planning, The General Secretariat of the OAS executes programming, budgeting, management the programs and policies adopted by the control, follow-up and evaluation of General Assembly and the other policymaking cooperation projects and activities executed bodies. It is headquartered in Washington, in the CIDI. D.C. and has offices in most Member States. The Secretary General and Assistant Secretary Through the Special Multilateral Fund of the General are responsible for the organization Inter-American Council for Integral Development of the General Secretariat and supervising its (FEMCIDI) the OAS funds projects aimed at staff. promoting and ensuring human & institutional capacity development in the Member States in The Secretary General is elected by the eight main areas: • Social Development and Generation of General Assembly for a five-year term. The Productive Employment Secretary General may not be re-elected • Education more than once, nor be succeeded by a • Economic Diversification and Integration, person of the same nationality. The Secretary Trade Liberalization, and Market Access General is the legal representative of the • Scientific Development and Exchange and General Secretariat and participates, without Transfer of Technology the right to vote, in all the meetings of the • Strengthening of Democratic Institutions Organization. • Sustainable Development of Tourism • Sustainable Development and Environment The Secretary General may bring to the • Culture attention of the General Assembly or the Permanent Council any matter that, in his

opinion, might threaten the peace and Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of security of the Hemisphere or the Foreign Affairs development of the Member States.

The Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of The Assistant Secretary General acts as the Foreign Affairs is held in order to consider Secretary of the Permanent Council. During problems of an urgent nature and of common the temporary absence or disability of the interest to the American states. Any member Secretary General, the Assistant Secretary state may request that the Meeting of General performs the duties of the Secretary Consultation be called. The request must be General. addressed to the Permanent Council of the

Organization, which decides by an absolute In the event that the office of Secretary majority of votes whether a meeting should General becomes vacant, the Assistant be held. Secretary General shall assume the duties of

that office until the General Assembly elects a The agenda and regulations of the Meeting of new Secretary General for a full term, and Consultation are prepared by the Permanent until the newly-elected Secretary General Council of the Organization and submitted to assumes office. the member states for consideration.

General Secretariat

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 Department of Electoral Cooperation and Observation  Department of Sustainable Democracy and The structure of the General Secretariat Special Missions includes:  Department for Effective Policy  Secretariat for Political Affairs Management

 Executive Secretariat for Integral Development Department of Electoral Cooperation and  Secretariat for Multidimensional Security Observation  Secretariat for Administration and Finance  Secretariat for Legal Affairs  Secretariat for External Relations The Department of Electoral Cooperation and  Executive Secretariat for the Inter- Observation (DECO) offers professional American Commission on Human Rights electoral observation service for Member States based on the continual improvement Pillars of the OAS and strengthening of procedures and

practices in this field. This Department is

The structure of the OAS allows for the responsible for organizing and coordinating development of different activities that electoral observation missions and electoral facilitate consensus-building and cooperation techniques, at the request of Member States. among Member States and different DECO also serves as a facilitator and an entity international organizations, inter-American to support discussions and to provide agencies, CSOs, the private sector, academia, assistance to the electoral bodies in the and other stakeholders in the following fields: Hemisphere.  Democracy This Department carries out its activities  Human rights through three areas of work:  Multidimensional security

 Integral development  Electoral Technical Cooperation Section:  Access to justice Contributes to the modernization and the

improvement of quality of the services Promoting Democracy provided by electoral organs to citizens

and to the strengthening of the The OAS contributes to the strengthening of institutional capacity to ensure free, the political processes of the Member States inclusive, competitive and transparent and to supporting sustainable democracy as elections. the best option to ensure peace, security and development in the region.  Electoral Observation Section: Organizes

the Electoral Observation Missions and Secretariat for Political Affairs coordinates activities at the national and

regional levels with electoral authorities, The OAS promotes these values with the political parties and civil society support of the Secretariat for Political Affairs representatives during the electoral (SPA), which consists of the Executive Office period. of the Secretary for Political Affairs and the following dependencies:

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 Electoral Studies and Projects Section: Performs applied research and identifies  Peace Fund Section: Seeks to strengthen the best practices and/or standards the capacity and experience of the related to electoral democracy. Organization in the peaceful settlement of disputes, as well as support the Department of Sustainable Democracy and development of programs designed to Special Missions promote a culture of peace.

The Department of Sustainable Democracy With respect to the - and Special Missions (DSDSM) advises and territorial dispute, the OAS provides technical offers technical support on matters of crisis and political support to the two countries and conflict resolution. Furthermore, it through conciliation efforts and activities coordinates Special Missions and Political designed to promote the implementation of Observation Missions and administers the confidence-building measures, in line with the OAS Peace Fund. provisions of the “Agreement on a Framework for Negotiation and Confidence Building Measures between Belize and Guatemala,” DSDSM is comprised of the following sections: signed in September 2005. At the same time, the Office of the OAS General Secretariat in  Political Analysis and Scenarios Section: the Adjacency Zone conducts verifications and Follows the political situations in the carries out activities to support institutions in countries of the region in order to Belize and Guatemala, including the armed understand their political processes, forces. It also implements projects designed to identify potential risk factors for strengthen integration among border democratic stability, and analyze different communities and supports community scenarios. The Section uses a methodology resettlement efforts.

called the “Political Analysis and Multiple

Scenarios System" (SAPEM, by its acronym Department for Effective Public Management in Spanish). This system combines

qualitative and quantitative tools that help The Department for Effective Public to systematize political analysis and Management (DEPM) provides support to forecast different scenarios for the OAS Member States in matters of public countries of the region. management through strengthening

democratic institutions. The DEPM is  Special Missions Section: composed of the following sections: Supports the OAS member states in the prevention, management, and settlement  Inter American Cooperation Mechanism of conflicts, using the mechanisms for Effective Public Management established by the inter-American system. (MECIGEP): aims to create a space for dialogue among member states through Since 2004, The OAS Mission to Support the an Inter-American forum in which Peace Process in Colombia (MAPP/OEA, by its countries share and exchange perspectives acronym in Spanish) has provided verification and advisory support to Colombia during the and opinions on their public sector process of demobilization and reintegration of institutional reforms. illegal armed groups; supported peace and other relevant efforts undertaken by the government and civil society directed at reducing violence, building trust and creating spaces conducive to reconciliation.

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 Technical Cooperation: seeks to Furthermore, SLA coordinates the Inter- strengthen the governmental American Program of Judicial Facilitators administrative structures of the OAS (IPJF) with the aim of reinforcing the access to Member States in planning and controlling justice to those citizens who live in more its public policies. outlying, rural areas. The judicial facilitators are community leaders and are volunteers  Transparency and Integrity: directed who serve their office and support justice towards integrating efforts to promote authorities. transparency, integrity and responsibility in public administration as a means of SLA is comprised of the Executive Office of combating corruption and increasing the Secretary and the following accountability in public institutions. dependencies:  Department of International Law  Civil Registry: The Universal Civil Identity  Department of Legal Cooperation Program in the Americas (PUICA) assists OAS Member States by providing technical Department of International Law support to national civil registry institutions and ensuring the right to civil The Department of International Law (DIL) identity for all people in the Hemisphere. advises the General Assembly, the Meeting of Consultation of Ministers of Foreign Affairs,  E-Government: promotes public sector the Permanent Council, the General modernization through the introduction of Secretariat, and other organs, agencies, and Information and Communication entities of the OAS on matters of public and Technologies (ICTs) to administrative and private international law and the statutory management procedures. and regulatory aspects of the functioning of those bodies. Facilitating the Access to Justice This Department also provides secretariat Secretariat for Legal Affairs support to: the Inter-American Juridical Committee; the Working Group to Examine In order to promote and facilitate access to the Progress Reports of the States Parties to justice in the Americas, the OAS created the the Protocol of , in accordance Secretariat for Legal Affairs (SLA). This with the Standards for the Preparation of Secretariat implements the Inter-American Periodic Reports pursuant to Article 19 of the Program for the Development of International Protocol of San Salvador on Economic, Social, Law; provides advisory services concerning and Cultural Rights; matters relating to the codification of inter-American law; serves indigenous peoples; and the Working Group as a depository and source of information for to Prepare the Draft Inter-American inter-American treaties and the agreements Convention against Racism and All Forms of of the OAS and its organs; disseminates Discrimination and Intolerance. In information about the legal instruments and coordination with other bodies of the programs of the OAS; and provides other Organization and with governmental services related to inter-American legal institutions such as the Inter-American cooperation. Juridical Committee and non-governmental organizations, the Department promotes

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courses, meetings, and seminars on legal of information and investigation of topics of interest to the Hemisphere. cybercrime.

Moreover, the DIL supports efforts of Defending Human Rights Member States to adopt legislative measures for ensuring access to public information. The The OAS works to protect and promote 2010 General Assembly approved the Model Human Rights through The Inter-American Inter-American Law on Access to Information, Human Rights System; which is composed of which provided the Member States with the the Inter-American Commission on Human legal and regulatory framework required to Rights (IACHR), created in 1959 and based in guarantee the right of access to information, Washington, D.C., and the Inter-American as well as an Implementation Guide for the Court of Human Rights, established in 1979 law. and located in San José, .

In regards to the protection of personal data, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights the DIL aids the Member States in making decisions related to the coordination of the The Inter-American Commission on Human right of access to information, the Rights (IACHR) is composed of seven improvement of regional cooperation, and independent commissioners elected by the the search for substantial relevant elements. Member States to promote the observance and defense of human rights. Department of Legal Cooperation One of the key functions of the IAHCR is to The Department of Legal Cooperation consider petitions from individuals who claim provides advisory and technical secretariat that the State has violated their rights and services to the Meetings of Ministers of that they have been unable to find justice. Justice or other Ministers or Attorney The Commission may bring together the Generals of the Americas (REMJA), and to the petitioner and the State to explore a “friendly Conference of States Parties. settlement.” If such an outcome is not possible, the IACHR may recommend specific This Department also coordinates the Inter- measures to be carried out by the State to American Program for Cooperation and the remedy the violation. If the State involved is Follow-up Mechanism for the Implementation one of the twenty-one states which has of the Inter-American Convention against accepted the Inter-American Court’s Corruption (MESICIC), as a means of jurisdiction, the case may be submitted to the strengthening national law, supporting Court. institutions that fight corruption, civil society participation, and international organizations The Commission has the autonomy and to follow up on, evaluate, and report technical capacity to monitor the human corruption in the region. This program was rights situation in the Member States and established after the signing of the Inter- publishes an annual report, which has been American Convention against Corruption in highly effective in documenting and 1996. denouncing abuses in specific countries. Since 1961, commissioners have completed The Department of Legal Cooperation also more than 100 visits throughout the region to promotes regional cooperation, the exchange review human rights policies and practices

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and have published over 50 special reports highest moral authority and of recognized based on those visits. competence in the field of human rights, who possess the qualifications required for the The Commission is comprised of eight exercise of the highest judicial functions Rapporteurships and two Units that analyze under the law of the State of which they are and present reports on the human right nationals or of the State that proposes them conditions of vulnerable groups, which as candidates. generate stronger commitments to protect them, and thus improve domestic laws, Guaranteeing a Multidimensional Focus on policies and practices on human rights issues Security in the region. The Rapporteurships are: Secretariat for Multidimensional Security  Special Rapporteurship for Freedom of Expression In 2003, the Member States of the OAS  Rapporteurship on the Rights of Women adopted the “Declaration on Security in the  Rapporteurship on the Rights of Migrant Americas”, which established a Workers and their Families multidimensional focus on security. This new  Rapporteurship on the Rights of approach included traditional threats and Indigenous Peoples new ones, such as trafficking in persons,  Rapporteurship on the Rights of Persons terrorism, drug traffic, and transnational Deprived of Liberty organized crime, among others. Through this  Rapporteurship on the Rights of Afro- new focus, the OAS security agenda aims to Descendants and against Racial confront these challenges. Discrimination  Rapporteurship on Human Right This Secretariat consists of the following Defenders dependencies:  Rapporteurship on the Rights of the Child  Unit on the Rights of LGTBI Persons  Executive Secretariat of the Inter-  Unit on Economic, Social and Cultural American Drug Abuse Control Commission Rights  Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism Inter-American Court of Human Rights  Department of Public Security

The Inter-American Court of Human Rights is Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American an autonomous judicial institution of the OAS Drug Abuse Control Commission whose mission is the application and interpretation of the Inter-American The mission of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Convention on Human Rights and other Control Commission (CICAD) is to strengthen related treaties. The Court’s goal is to uphold the human and institutional capabilities of its the basic rights and freedoms of men and member states, in order to reduce the women of the Americas. production, trafficking and use of illegal drugs, and to deal with its consequences The Court consists of seven judges from the which pose a growing threat to health, social Organization's Member States elected in an cohesion, and the rule of law. individual capacity from among jurists of the

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CICAD implements action programs focused Inter-American Committee against Terrorism on preventing and treating substance abuse, reducing the supply and availability of illicit The Inter-American Committee against drugs, strengthening national drug control Terrorism (CICTE) coordinates efforts to institutions and machinery, developing protect Member State citizens from alternate sources of income for growers of terrorism. coca, poppy, and marijuana, assisting member governments to improve their data CICTE’s objectives include improving gathering and analysis on all aspects of the information exchange among competent drug issue and helping measure their progress national authorities; creating and updating an over time in addressing the issue. inter-American database on terrorism matters. CICTE works on programs related to The Executive Secretariat of the Inter- border control, cyber security, maritime and American Drug Abuse Control Commission is port security, legislative assistance, and the comprised of the following sections: fight against financing of terrorism.  Demand Reduction  Supply Reduction  Institutional Strengthening CICTE also promotes universal accession to  Anti-Money Laundering Unit international antiterrorism conventions,  Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) increases cooperation in border areas and  Inter-American Observatory on Drugs security measures related to travel documents, and implements training and crisis management activities. In 1999, the Multilateral Evaluation Mechanism (MEM) was established as a key Department of Public Security instrument to assess the anti-drug activities of the Member States of CICAD throughout the The main functions of the Department of Hemisphere. This evaluation is carried out Public Security are to observe the fulfillment through the elaboration and publication of of resolutions approved by political organs of national and hemispheric reports on the the OAS in the areas of its competence in progress in drug control, which are drafted by demining, trafficking in persons, organized government experts designated by OAS crime and gangs, small arms and light member states. This instrument contributes weapons, and the security of small island to the systematic collection of information on states. drugs, the exchange of experiences, and to help the Member States identify the areas This Department offers support and technical requiring higher levels of cooperation. advice to the Member States in the field of humanitarian action against mines, including Through the Inter-American Observatory on the humane removal of mines; and education Drugs (OID), the CICAD helps countries to on the risk of mines for affected populations. improve the collection and analysis of drug- related data by promoting the establishment The Department carries out efforts against of national observatories and the use of trafficking in persons in the Hemisphere, standardized methods and data; and by offers training seminars and workshops, providing scientific and technical training for promotes the exchange of information and professionals working on drug issues and the other forms of assistance to police agencies, exchange of experiences among themselves. immigration officials, judges, legislators and

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others in the drafting of legislation to combat Promoting Integral Development and trafficking; promotes government initiatives Prosperity to identify existing cases, and pursues The Executive Secretariat for Integral criminal prosecution and the protection of Development (SEDI) coordinates the victims. implementation of horizontal cooperation programs, regional ministerial meetings, and offers support to the CIDI and the Special Multilateral Fund of CIDI (FEMCIDI). SEDI is made up of the Office of the Secretary Executive and consists of the following departments:  Department of Human Development, Education, and Culture  Department of Economic Development, Trade, and Tourism  Department of Sustainable Development  Department of Social Development and The Department also provides legal and Employment technical aid to the Member States in their fight against organized crime, implements the Department of Human Development, mandates of the General Assembly on Education and Culture firearms, ammunition and explosives, reinforces the objectives and mandates of the The Department of Human Development, Consultative Committee of the Inter- Education, and Culture (DHDEC) supports OAS American Convention Against the Illicit Member States in their efforts to ensure Manufacturing of and Trafficking in Firearms, quality education for all and to protect and Ammunition, Explosives, and other Related draw on their rich cultural heritage to materials (CIFTA), and is responsible for promote human development and culture. As coordinating the Plan of Action against the Technical Secretary of the Inter-American Transnational Organized Crime. Furthermore, Committee on Education (CIE) and of the the Department provides support to small Inter-American Committee on Culture (CIC), states in the area of public security according the OAS fosters political dialogue and to General Assembly Resolution AG/RES. 2112 promotes technical cooperation in areas that (XXXV-O/05), “Special Security Concerns of the Ministers of Education and Culture the Small Island States of the Caribbean.” identify as priorities.

This Department is also responsible for the Additionally, the DHDEC is responsible for planning and development of Ministerial and promoting academic and professional other high-level meetings in the areas of development of the youth in the Americas. public security, such as the Meeting of The Department administers scholarships and Ministers of Public Security of the Americas interest-free student loans, promoting access (MISPA) and the Meeting of National to higher education and professional Authorities on Trafficking in Persons. advancement in the Member States.

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The programs implemented include the Inter- reduction of the risks of natural disasters, American Program on Education in preservation of biological diversity and Democratic Values and Practices and the supports programs related to environmental Inter-American Teacher Network. law, economy and policy.

Department of Economic Development, Trade The Department achieves its mission through and Tourism the execution of technical cooperation projects; and promoting the exchange of The Department of Economic Development, information on sustainable development in Trade and Tourism (DEDTT) supports the the region and the participation of civil efforts of the OAS Member States to optimize society in decision-making on environmental the advantages to be gained from trade and management issues. DSD offers technical tourism and the social responsibility of inputs for the planning and development of businesses. In addition, the DEDTT promotes ministerial meetings, sectoral meetings, and the use of science, technology and innovation meetings of the Inter-American Committee on for sustainable growth, through political Sustainable Development. dialogue, strategic partnerships and the development of business opportunities in the Department of Social Development and Americas. Employment

Furthermore, DDECT works with regional and The Department of Social Development and international tourism organizations to Employment (DDSE) provides assistance to develop micro enterprises, as a way to Member States in their efforts to advance increase the competitiveness of tourist development with equity through the destinations in Latin America and the promotion of policies and programs of Caribbean in the international market. poverty reduction, as well as fostering decent work and employment creation. In that DDECT promotes productivity in the Member sense, the DDSE supports the Inter-American States by promoting the enactment of public Social Protection Network (IASPN), the Inter- policies aimed at strengthening the work of American Network for Labor Administration Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSEs), (RIAL), and the Consumer Safety and Health especially through innovation, and the use of Network (CSHN). information and communications technology (ICTs). In the field of the rights of persons with disabilities, the DDSE is responsible for Department of Sustainable Development promoting the two main normative instruments of the Inter-American System on The mission of the Department of Sustainable the subject: The Inter-American Convention Development (DSD) is to support Member for the Elimination of All Forms of States in the design and implementation of Discrimination against Persons with policies oriented to integrate environmental Disabilities (CIADDIS), and the Program of priorities with socio-economic development Action for the Decade of the Americas for the goals at a hemispheric level. DSD supports the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities execution of sustainable projects in (PAD). integrated water management, renewable energy, prevention of soil degradation,

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Moreover, through the Migration and instruments to improve the quality of justice Development Program (MIDE) and the in the Americas. Continuous Reporting System on International Migration (SICREMI by its Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM) Spanish acronym) promotes the development of public policies aimed at improving The Inter-American Commission migratory management in the Americas. of Women is the principal forum for hemispheric policy to advance women's rights and gender equality. Established in 1928, CIM was the first official intergovernmental agency in the world created expressly to ensure recognition of the civil and political rights of women.

One of its main accomplishments has been the creation of the Inter-American Convention for the Prevention, Punishment and Eradication of Violence against Women, This Department is the Technical Secretariat which was adopted in 1994 by the OAS of the Joint Working Group in charge of the General Assembly in Belem do Pará, , drafting of the Social Charter of the Americas and has been ratified by 32 Member States of and the Working Group on the Protection of the OAS. During the last decade, the Human Rights of Older Persons (2012-2013) Convention has contributed to a better awareness that violence against women The DDSE is also responsible for the planning constitutes a human rights violation, which and development of ministerial and sectoral has led to positive changes in legislation and meetings of the inter-American committees in policies for the protection of women. the areas of social development and employment. CIM promotes and protects women's rights, and supports the Member States in their Specialized Organizations and Other Entities efforts to ensure the full exercise of civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights Justice Studies Center of the Americas (JSCA) that will allow equal participation for women and men in all aspects of society.

The Justice Studies Center of Inter-American Committee on Ports (CIP) the Americas created in 1999 and based in Santiago, Chile, conducts Since its inception in 1998, the training activities, studies and empirical mission of the Inter-American research projects in order to develop Committee on Ports has been innovative approaches for judicial reform. to serve as an Inter-American JSCA promotes cooperation and the exchange forum to strengthen cooperation and of experiences among key actors of the development of the port sector with the justice sector, and disseminates legal active collaboration and participation of the private sector. CIP acts as the advisory body

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of the OAS and is responsible for proposing Inter-American Institute for Human Rights policies that respond to the common needs of (IIHR) the port sector in the Hemisphere. The Inter-American Inter-American Telecommunication Institute of Human Rights is Commission (CITEL) an independent, international academic institution, created in The Inter-American 1980, with its headquarters in San Jose, Costa Telecommunication Rica. The mission of IIHR is to promote and Commission was strengthen respect for human rights and to established by the OAS General Assembly in contribute to the consolidation of democracy 1993 as the region’s principal forum in which through education, academic research, representatives of Member States and the technical assistance and the dissemination of telecommunications private sector meet to knowledge on human rights by means of coordinate the ongoing development in this specialized publications. IIHR cooperates with sector. CITEL has Permanent Consultative the Inter-American Court of Human Rights Committees (PCC), and is composed of all of and the Inter-American Commission of the Member States and of associate members Human Rights; it works with all sectors of civil representing private telecommunication society, with Member States, as well as with enterprises and entities, permanent international organizations. observers, and regional and international organizations. Inter-American Children's Institute (IIN)

Inter-American Juridical Committee (IAJC) The purpose of the Inter- American Children's Institute With headquarters in Rio de is to improve the living Janeiro, Brazil, the Inter- standards of children and American Juridical Committee their families. The IIN serves serves as the legal advisory body to the OAS. as a social action center and conducts The Committee is made up of 11 members programs in the areas of health, education, designated by the Member States and elected social legislation, social services and by the General Assembly. Topics covered information. The IIN offers technical include: hemispheric security; administration assistance in policy formulation and in of justice; laws regarding information and activities for the development, monitoring, personal data; human rights and biomedicine; and evaluation of programs and projects illicit enrichment; transnational bribery; and designed to improve management in homes cooperation against terrorism. The CJI has that care for children and in national agencies the capacity to submit independent legal that coordinate such homes. opinions regarding the themes of the inter- American agenda.

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Organizational Chart of the Organization of American States

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Section Two

Principles and Means of Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

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

The OAS believes that Civil Society Organizations participation is of vital importance since their inputs aid in the design

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of policies consistent with the needs of assistance, training, and reciprocal services communities in the Member States. In for better practices; addition, the OAS has developed various  Establishing organized, legitimate, and mechanisms for Civil Society Organizations to broad participation by CSOs in the region participate. and the inter-American system;  Institutionalizing direct dialogue with governments and various organizations and bodies of the inter-American and international system;  Participating in virtual consultations through the Internet 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 This participation was promoted by Resolution and in the Summits of the Americas Process.” CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) “Guidelines for the This Fund aims to provide financial support to Participation of Civil Society Organizations in facilitate participation by registered CSOs in OAS Activities,” which defined the process by the activities of the political bodies of the OAS, which CSOs can request to apply to participate such as the General Assembly and the in the activities of the Organization. This norm Permanent Council, through the Committee on includes: Inter-American Summits Management and  The activities in which CSOs can participate Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities  The creation of a CSO registry within the (CISC), the Summit Implementation Review OAS Group (SIRG), appropriate ministerial  Responsibilities of CSOs once they are meetings, and other OAS activities. registered in the Organization’s system One of the five Committees of the Permanent In Resolution CP/RES. 840 (1361/03), Council, the CISC was created to establish “Strategies for Increasing and Strengthening procedures to ensure the interaction between Participation by Civil Society Organizations in CSOs and the political bodies of the OAS. Such OAS Activities,” the Organization established participation envisions CSOs as stakeholders strategies that expand the opportunities for and supervisors of their own development. civil society participation, including:  Having knowledge of and access to The Department of International Affairs (DIA) activities on the hemispheric agenda in the of the Secretariat for External Relations is subject areas defined by the Member responsible for developing and executing States; strategies and activities designed to promote  Developing and executing projects with the and broaden civil society participation in all of OAS General Secretariat to formulate public the activities related to the work of the policy; Organization.  Promoting strategic alliances between civil society, the OAS, and private-sector enterprises, in order to provide technical

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a degree of independence in managing the The OAS established three mechanisms to financial resources obtained from its facilitate civil society participation in its affiliates or individual members; activities, including:  The Civil Society Registry  The CSO must conduct its activities in  Participating in OAS-related Meetings some of the OAS Member States.  Cooperation Agreements Benefits of Registration

Registration of Civil Society Organizations in the OAS

Registration, as set out in Permanent Council resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) provides CSOs with an opportunity to be part of the hemispheric network of organizations working in the various thematic areas of interest to the Member States and to have access to information on political, economic, and social The following benefits are provided to CSOs processes under way in the OAS, which are registered in the OAS: part of the inter-American agenda.  Participation in public meetings of the Permanent Council, the Inter-American Registration facilitates the exchange of Council for Integral Development (CIDI), information and experiences that enrich the and their subsidiary bodies; design of governmental policies by means of  Input by means of written documents on organized participation and dialogue among matters thematically relevant to meetings CSOs, governments, and inter-American and of the Permanent Council or CIDI, international organizations. preferably not to exceed 2,000 words

(texts exceeding 2,000 words must be Requirements for CSO Registration accompanied by executive summaries,

which the General Secretariat shall Resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) establishes distribute). Likewise, the CSO may give a the following requirements for a civil society presentation at the beginning of the organization to be become part of the registry deliberations, with prior approval from the of CSOs in the OAS: relevant Committee of the Permanent  The CSO shall be of recognized standing Council or of the CIDI; within its particular field of competence  Access to draft resolutions and/or and shall be of a representative nature; resolutions adopted by the General  The CSO shall have an institutional Assembly and authorization to comment structure that includes appropriate on them; mechanisms for holding its officers  Receive the resolutions adopted by the accountable and subject to its members, a OAS General Assembly at its annual regular legal representative, an executive officer, session; as well as an established headquarters;  With the Chair’s authorization, participate  The CSO must have an institutional in closed meetings of the Permanent structure that is transparent and affords it Council, the CIDI and their political bodies;

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 Receipt of documents in advance of the The letter should be accompanied by the meetings of the working groups or following information: specialized groups of the Permanent  Official name, address, and date of Council or the CIDI. With prior establishment of the organization and the authorization, the CSO may make a name(s) of its directors and legal statement and have it distributed to representative(s); Member States in order to consider the  Primary areas of activity and their issue; relationship to the activities of the OAS  Apply for funding from the Specific Fund to organs, agencies, and entities in which it Support the Participation of Civil Society wishes to participate; Organizations in OAS Activities and in the  Reasons why the CSO believes its proposed Summits of the Americas Process. contributions to OAS activities would be of interest to the Organization; Registration Procedures  Identification of the OAS work areas in which it proposes to support ongoing CSOs interested in becoming part of the activities or to make recommendations on Registry of CSOs in the OAS should direct a the best way to achieve OAS objectives. letter to the OAS Secretary General, with a copy to the Department of International Additionally, the request shall be accompanied Affairs: by copies of the following documents:

Secretary General  Charter or Constitution and Statutes of the Organization of American States CSO (notarized copy); MNB – 20  Most recent annual report of the activities 17th Street and Constitution Avenue, N.W. of the organization; Washington, D.C. 20006  Institutional mission statement (signed by U.S.A. a director or the legal representative);

Director  Financial statements for the previous fiscal Department of International Affairs year, including reference to any public and Organization of American States private sources of financing (signed by the GSB – 610 financial officer or the public accountant of 1889 F Street NW the organization). Washington, D.C. 20006 U.S.A. Mechanisms of Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings Fax: 202-458-6319 Email: [email protected] Registered civil society organizations may participate in the activities of the OAS, make presentations, provide information, and, at the

request of the organs, agencies, and entities of the OAS, provide expert advice, in accordance with resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99).

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3. Analysis by the 4. DIA submits DIA analysis to the CISC 5. CISC reviews the Application analysis and makes materials recommendations complete Civil Society Registration to the Permanent Council Process in the OAS

6. Permanent 2. Review of application Council considers Application materials by the application materials Department of incomplete International Affairs (DIA)

CSO CSO Application Application approved not approved

Supply additional 1. Send letter to the application Secretary General with 7. CSO materials supporting application registered materials with the OAS

Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

Participation in Meetings of the Permanent issue has concluded. Civil society organizations Council, CIDI, and their Subsidiary Bodies may not participate in the deliberations, negotiations, or decisions adopted by Member Registered CSOs may designate States. representatives to attend, as observers, public meetings of the Permanent Council, CIDI, and Article 13.c of CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) their subsidiary bodies. Non-registered CSOs A registered civil society organization may may also attend, as observers, public meetings present written documents, not exceeding of the Permanent Council, CIDI, and their 2,000 words, preferably in two of the official subsidiary bodies as long as they fulfill the languages of the OAS, on questions that fall requirements specified in CP/RES. 759 within its particular sphere of competence and (1217/99). appear on the agenda or order of business for the meeting. These documents shall be Meetings held under OAS auspices are distributed by the General Secretariat to generally open to the public, but can be closed member states, insofar as possible, in two of the official languages of the OAS. Texts under exceptional circumstances by decision of exceeding 2,000 words shall be accompanied the Chairman of the meeting due to the nature by executive summaries in two of the official of the matter. Likewise, it should be noted that languages of the OAS, which the Secretariat each political body, specialized organization, or shall distribute sufficiently ahead of time. The committee of the OAS can establish specific complete text of the document may be criteria for civil society participation in its distributed in its original language or activities. languages, the cost to be borne by the civil society organization in question. In the case of meetings of committees of the

Permanent Council or of CIDI, registered CSOs Procedures for Civil Society Participation in may distribute written documents in advance, OAS-related Meetings in accordance with article 13.c of CP/RES. 759

(1217/99), and, with prior approval from the Another mechanism for participation is committee in question, may give a requesting to be invited to a meeting, presentation at the beginning of the conference, or ministerial-level meeting. deliberations. Civil society organizations may Under this option, the CSO will send a letter, not participate in the deliberations, 30 days prior to the event, indicating that it negotiations, or decisions adopted by Member wishes to participate in a meeting or special States. conference. Should its request be approved,

the organization in question would be granted In the case of meetings of expert groups and observer status and be classified as a “special working groups of the Permanent Council or of guest.” CIDI, registered CSOs that have special competence in the issue to be discussed shall Any CSO (regardless of whether it is registered receive the relevant documents in advance or not) wishing to attend the annual OAS and, with the prior approval of the meeting, General Assembly, must send a letter to the may present a statement at the beginning of Secretary General, with a copy to the the deliberations, the text of which may be Department of International Affairs at least 45 distributed in advance to the Member States. days in advance of the opening session, With such approval, they may also give a indicating their interest to observe the presentation once the consideration of the

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proceedings under the category of "Special Procedures for Civil Society Participation in OAS-related Meetings Guests." The indicated time period is necessary because the Secretary General To participate in an OAS meeting or activity, a should submit a final list of organizations to CSO must send a letter of request to the OAS the Permanent Council for approval at least Secretary General, taking the following into thirty (30) days prior to the General Assembly. consideration: Additionally, the organizations on the list must  If the CSO is registered, it need only send be authorized by the host country. This a letter expressing its interest in process is independent of other CSO participating, its name, the title of the participation processes in the OAS. meeting in which it wishes to participate, and the name of the representative who will attend In the case of CSOs not registered in the OAS,  If the CSO is not registered, the following once it has sent a letter of request together documents must be attached to the letter with the corresponding documents (see box), of request: and the request has been approved by the o Official name and date of Permanent Council, the CSO will receive establishment of the organization, identification giving it access to the meeting as and the names of its directors and a “special guest”. legal representative o Statutes and Charter or Constitution o Institutional mission statement o Most recent annual report and financial statements for the previous fiscal year

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Cooperation Agreements Department of the General Secretariat that handles the thematic area in question. Resolution AG/RES. 57 (I/O-71), “Standards on Second, the organization must submit a Cooperative Relations between the proposal with clearly defined objectives and Organization of American States and the determine the type of agreement it would like United Nations, Its Specialized Agencies, and to conclude (whether general or specific). Other National and International Likewise, the CSO must also realize that, under Organizations,” authorizes the Secretary a cooperation agreement with the OAS, it is General to sign cooperation agreements. The required to have the economic resources and OAS General Secretariat and its departments, sufficient staff to fulfill and follow up as offices, and technical secretariats, can sign necessary on the obligations and stipulations cooperation agreements on the development set forth in the agreement. If it meets the and implementation of activities in all work aforementioned requirements, the CSO may areas of the Organization. Cooperation proceed with its request and transmit copies of agreements with the OAS may be classified as the following documentation to the follows: Organization:  General cooperation agreements: Those intended to provide advisory services to  Charter or Constitution and those the OAS organs, agencies, and entities and documents certifying it as a CSO; disseminate information on its activities  The names of its directors and officers and programs during the previous three years;  Special cooperation agreements:  The names of its major contributors o Agreements on the development of (provided that this is not in violation of any technical, administrative, or financial confidentiality agreements). programs in order to conduct specific programs in OAS areas of activity; If, after submission of the documents, a o Agreements relating to inter-American preliminary agreement is reached between the specialized organizations, which are General Secretariat and the CSO, a document coordinated through the OAS; will be drawn up for the Secretary General’s o Agreements established directly by the approval and signature. Secretary General.

Procedures for Cooperation Agreements between Civil Society Organizations and the OAS

A CSO wishing to establish a cooperation agreement with the OAS must first identify the

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Procedures for Cooperation Agreements between Civil Society Organizations and the OAS

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

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

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Section Three

Summits of the Americas and Civil Society

The Summits of the Americas Process is the OAS Permanent Council’s Committee on highest level intergovernmental forum in the Inter-American Summits Management and Hemisphere, in which the Heads of State and Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities Government of the Member States define and (CISC). Likewise, the Secretariat coordinates discuss the inter-American agenda. The Chair with the host country and the various of the process is the government that is to technical areas of the OAS on preparations for host or has recently hosted the Summit. The upcoming Summits of the Americas and the process is guided by shared values and by participation of diverse social actors in the commonly established institutional Summit Process. mechanisms. The Summit Process is supported and These institutional mechanisms are charged accompanied by the Joint Summit Working with leading the process, decision-making, Group (JSWG), a group of international and implementation and follow-up of Summit inter-American institutions that coordinate mandates. the preparations for and the follow-up to the

At the Summit of the Americas in Quebec in Members of the Joint Summit Working Group

2001, the Heads of State and Government o Organization of American States recognized the central role the OAS plays in o Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) supporting the Summits of the Americas o Economic Commission for Latin America and process, as its technical secretariat and the Caribbean (ECLAC) institutional memory. The Summits of the o Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Americas Secretariat was established in the o Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on OAS to institutionalize that function. Agriculture (IICA) o World Bank o Andean Development Foundation (CAF) The Summits of the Americas Secretariat o Central American Bank for Economic coordinates follow-up on implementation of Integration (CABEI) Summit mandates and supports the Summit o Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Implementation Review Group (SIRG), the o International Organization for Migration SIRG’s Steering Committee and Executive (IOM) Council, the ministerial meetings, and the o International Labor Organization (ILO) o United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

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Summit process. The SIRG Executive Council was created in the Quebec City Plan of Action (2001) as a Summit Follow-Up Mechanisms regionally representative group of member countries whose role is to support the work of The SIRG was established in 1995 and is the SIRG and assess and strengthen the chaired by the Member State hosting the follow-up of Summit initiatives and Summit. The host countries have been preparations for future Summits. The United States, Bolivia, Chile, Canada, Mexico, members of the Executive Council include the Argentina, Trinidad and Tobago, and past host countries of the Summits; a Colombia. currently chairs the representative of CARICOM; a representative Process in preparation for the VII Summit of of the Andean Community; Brazil; a the Americas that will take place in 2015. representative of the Rio Group; and the country that presides over the Central The SIRG is composed of representatives of American Integration System (SICA). the democratically elected governments of the Hemisphere, represented by their Another objective of the SIRG Executive national coordinators, usually the Deputy Council is to deepen partnerships and Foreign Minister or person in charge of coordination between the Summit process Western Hemisphere affairs at the Foreign and its partner institutions, which are Ministry. The SIRG is responsible for members of the JSWG. monitoring progress on fulfilling the mandates issued in the various Summits and Opportunities for Civil Society Participation negotiating the texts to be approved at future in the Summits Process Summits. The SIRG meets on average three times a year, with at least one meeting held The Summits of the Americas process has at the Ministerial-level in the framework of established that CSO participation is a the OAS General Assembly. valuable and significant means of including social actors in efforts to bring about economic and social development and attain good governance. The Declarations of the Summit of the Americas recognize the important role of civil society and have sought to create opportunities for a continued and sustained interaction between civil society and the governments of Member States.

The OAS, through the Summits of the Americas Secretariat and the Department of International Affairs, has developed a number The SIRG has a Steering Committee composed of initiatives to create opportunities for of the future and past Summit hosts. Its participation and discussion, and to report on function is to assist the chair of the Summit the follow-up of Summit mandates in the Process in preparing for the meetings of the inter-American system. SIRG and its Executive Council. The OAS supports civil society forums to formulate recommendations in relation to the

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Summit Process and inter-American agenda, promote increased opportunities for groups, holds special meetings with the SIRG to organizations, businesses, and individuals to exchange information on the Summit Process, express ideas and exchange information on and works with various civil society networks sustainable development. to exchange information and provide feedback on implementation and follow-up of The Heads of State decided to take into Summit mandates among CSOs, governments, account the recommendations of the Inter- and the organizations of the inter-American American Seminar on Public Participation, and international systems. held in in 1996, and entrusted the OAS with assigning priority to the Civil Society in the Summits of the Americas formulation of the Inter-American Strategy for the Promotion of Public Participation in In just over a decade and a half, with six Decision-making. The strategy was intended Summits of the Americas, a Summit on to promote the exchange of experiences and Sustainable Development, and a Special information among governments and civil Summit of the Americas, the Summit Process society groups on the formulation, has demonstrated the Member States’ implementation, and improvement of commitment to engage in discussion and find sustainable development programs and common solutions to the challenges of the policies and in high-level meetings. region. Second Summit of the Americas – Santiago, First Summit of the Americas – Miami, Chile – 1998 Florida, United States – 1994 At the Second Summit of the At the First Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Americas, the Heads of State and Government recognized that Government expressed an interest education was “the determining in the consolidation and factor for the political, social, cultural, and diversification of in the economic development of our peoples,” and Hemisphere in such a way as to ensure their highlighted the need to encourage civil sustainability. It was primarily for that reason society to participate in educational that they underscored the importance of development. This Summit also reaffirmed participation by individuals, labor unions, the importance of increasing active political parties, academics, the private participation by civil society. sector, and CSOs in public affairs and recognized that public participation was Third Summit of the Americas – Quebec City, pivotal to the success of any democracy in a Canada – 2001 framework of accountability and transparency. At the Third Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Summit on Sustainable Development – Santa Government expressed Cruz, Bolivia – 1996 appreciation for civil society’s contributions to the Quebec City Plan of At the Summit of the Americas on Action and recognized civil society’s Sustainable Development, the Heads important role in the consolidation of of State and Government decided to democracy and its participation in

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government programs, as one of the most administration and reaffirmed the importance valuable resources for the success of of continuing to forge new partnerships that development policies. would enable constructive ties to be built amongst governments, nongovernmental The Heads of State and Government organizations, international organizations, entrusted the OAS, other multilateral and the diverse sectors of civil society in order organizations and development banks with to work in favor of development and developing strategies to enable civil society to democracy. Likewise, they pledged to participate more fully in the inter-American encourage civil society participation in the system. Summits of the Americas Process and to institutionalize meetings with civil society and The Heads of State and Government with the academic and private sectors. promoted the role of CSOs, together with technical professionals and regional and Fourth Summit of the Americas – Mar del educational institutions, in the development Plata, Argentina – 2005 and implementation of disaster management policies at both the national and community During the Fourth Summit of the levels. Moreover, they recognized the Americas, the Heads of State and contributions made by CSOs to the promotion Government agreed that the of national strategies for the sustainable participation of citizens, development of agriculture and the communities, and civil society will contribute improvement of living standards in rural to ensuring that the benefits of democracy are areas. shared by society as a whole.

The Quebec City Plan of Action recognized During the Summit, the leaders recognized the that democracy is a way of life based on pivotal role that the OAS plays in the freedom and improved economic, social, and implementation and follow-up of Summit cultural conditions for the people of the mandates, and instructed the General Americas in a context of good governance, Secretariat to continue to act as technical management, and values, taking into account secretariat; provide support for meetings of the inputs of CSOs. the SIRG, ministerial meetings and specialized conferences; coordinate the participation of Special Summit of the Americas – civil society; and ensure the dissemination of Monterrey, Mexico – 2004 information on the Summits Process and the commitments adopted by the countries. At the Special Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Fifth Summit of the Americas – Port of Spain, Government agreed that, through Trinidad and Tobago – 2009 citizen participation, civil society organizations should contribute to the design, At the Fifth Summit of the Americas, implementation, and evaluation of public the Heads of State and Government policies adopted by different orders or levels agreed to continue encouraging the of government. participation of citizens, communities, and civil society in the design They also recognized the role of civil society and execution of development policies and and its contribution to sound public programs, by providing technical and financial

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assistance, as appropriate, as well as to strengthen and build their capacity to participate more fully in the Inter-American System.

Sixth Summit of the Americas – Cartagena de Indias, Colombia – 2012

At the Sixth Summit of the Americas, the Heads of State and Government expressed appreciation for civil society’s contributions and recommendations on how they can cooperate with governments on the follow-up and implementation of Summit mandates and the five sub-topics of the summit: security; access to and use of technology; natural disasters; poverty, inequality and inequity reduction; and integration of physical infrastructure of the Americas.

For current and updated information on the Summit process and civil society/social actor participation opportunities, please visit the Summit of the Americas Secretariat website: http://www.summit-americas.org and/or write to [email protected] to sign up for the OAS Summit distribution list.

OAS Department of International Affairs - 34 7.5. CSO CISC4. Submit registered reviews theanalysiswith analysis the to OAS theand makesCISC recommendation Manual for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities s to the Permanent Council

In support of the work of all 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. Furthermore, 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 (DIA) of the Secretariat for External Relations 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 functions are: 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; all in order to achieve the Organization’s main goal of improving the lives of all citizens in the Americas.

DIA also directs and coordinates the activities in this field with all the other General Secretariat dependencies, provides Technical Secretary services to the CISC of the Permanent Council and is responsible for the Registry of Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in the OAS.

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

Jorge Sanin, Director Department of International Affairs Organization of American States 1889 F Street, NW Washington, D.C. 20006 - USA

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

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