DOCSLIB.ORG

Regional Integration and South–South Cooperation in Health in Latin America and the Caribbean

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Regional Integration and South–South Cooperation in Health in Latin America and the Caribbean Informe especial / Special report Regional integration and south–south cooperation in health in Latin America and the Caribbean Alejandra Carrillo Roa1 and José Paranaguá de Santana 2 Suggested citation Carrillo Roa A, Santana JP. Regional integration and south–south cooperation in health in Latin America and the Caribbean. Rev Panam Salud Publica. 2012;32(5):368–75. ABSTRACT This paper analyzes whether south–south cooperation is legitimately a recent practice or merely an improved version of previous regional integration processes in Latin America and the Caribbean. The authors reviewed and systematized the historic development of subregional integration processes in Latin America and the Caribbean and focused on health cooperation in the following contexts: the Central American Integration System, the Andean Community of Nations, the Caribbean Community, the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization, the Southern Common Market, and the Union of South American Nations. The study concludes that the conceptual and methodologic foundations of south–south cooperation in health were born from and nurtured by the processes of regional integration in Latin America and the Caribbean. This paper posits that regional political and economic integration initiatives bring potential benefits to the health sector and act as an important mechanism to develop south–south cooperation in this domain. The study recommends furthering this type of research to provide information that will allow national and multilateral agencies, or other stakeholders, to formulate and implement better policies for international health cooperation that target reducing inequities and promoting health and well- being for all people. Key words International cooperation; technical cooperation; horizontal cooperation; Latin America. South–south cooperation (SSC) has ac- United Nations (UN) to the millennium of international aid and technical coop- quired a progressively relevant position development goals, of which three are eration (1). on the agendas of Latin America and the directly linked to health and the other SSC appears as an innovation or trans- Caribbean (LAC) subregional blocs as a five are correlated. formation of international cooperation strategy for development. A strong argu- At the same time, failure to reduce eco- (2) in the midst of a process of changes ment to establish health as a priority in nomic and social inequalities between occurring in international relations cooperation emerges from the commit- developed countries, mostly located in where global southern countries plan ment made by member countries of the the north, and developing nations, in the to build cooperation projects, including south, discredits the effectiveness of tra- with support of the wealthiest countries 1 Center for Bioethics and Health Diplomacy ditional cooperation models, identified and mediation of the UN, but truly fit- Studies, Campus Universitário Darcy Ribeiro, as north–south cooperation (NSC). The ting in the designs of their own devel- Brasilia, Brazil. Send correspondence to: Alejandra Carrillo Roa, [email protected] fact that developing countries continue opment (3). Such innovations in health 2 Organização Pan-Americana da Saúde, Representa- to be called such shows a lack of mean- care are being heralded as a paradigm ção no Brasil, Brasília, Brazil. ingful development in spite of decades of cooperation. For instance, the Bra- 368 Rev Panam Salud Publica 32(5), 2012 Carrillo Roa and Santana • South–south cooperation in health in Latin America and the Caribbean Special report zilian structuring approach to health during the UN Conference of Septem- donor countries in technical cooperation cooperation states that, compared with ber 1978, introduced the term “technical is that they are able to draw on their own previous paradigms, this new paradigm cooperation between developing coun- experiences that more closely resemble innovates in two respects: it includes the tries” and recognized that, in addition program country contexts than those of training of human resources, organiza- to being recipients, developing countries northern donors” (18). They strive for tional strengthening, and institutional were becoming cooperation donors (5). recognition in the international arena development and it breaks with the tra- Although expectations were high, hopes with a renewed discourse of opposition ditional passive transfer of knowledge were dashed after the meeting in Buenos to the prevailing world order (19, 20). and technologies (4). Aires. The oil crises of the 1970s sub- Despite difficulties in defining the SSC, Undoubtedly, SSC brings fresh impe- stantially increased international interest there is a consensus on its governing tus to international cooperation. How- rates and adversely affected developing principles: solidarity and equal relation- ever, it is worth asking whether it is le- countries already floundering in foreign ships, reciprocal benefits, respect for na- gitimately a recent practice and whether debt and high inflation. The effects of the tional sovereignty, shared responsibility, the new paradigms are truly innovative debt crisis of the 1980s and estrangement noninterference, nonintervention, self- or merely enhanced editions of previous of the nonaligned integration movement determination, and independence. SSC regional integration processes in LAC. induced developing countries to seek admits that it complements rather than This paper aims to answer that ques- individual negotiations with wealthy substitutes for NSC (20), although its tion by reviewing and systematizing the countries. In the 1980s and early 1990s, origins are based on opposition to tradi- historic development of subregional in- structural adjustment programs based tional practices of cooperation (3, 4). tegration processes in LAC and focusing on neoliberal principles occupied the Some authors list the following ad- on health cooperation in the following center of economic and political for- vantages of SSC: greater flexibility for contexts: the Central American Integra- mulations as well as international co- transferring good practices; better ad- tion System, the Andean Community operation (4). The excessive conditions aptation of cooperation initiatives to of Nations (CAN), the Caribbean Com- required by donors made it difficult for recipient needs; horizontal cooperation; munity (CARICOM), the Amazon Coop- recipient countries to appropriate aid. less or no conditionality linked to as- eration Treaty Organization (ACTO), the Numerous studies have shown that sistance; reduced economic cost of ini- Southern Common Market (MERCO- aid priorities were correlated not to the tiatives; swift and direct impact on the SUR), and the Union of South American needs of recipient countries but to the beneficiary population; preservation of Nations (UNASUR). Although NSC is needs of donors (6–12). Many traditional local cultural diversity and identity; and recognizably an important reference in practices of cooperation sought to export increased use of local resources, which this debate, comparing NSC with SSC is local products, services, and capital; to generates an increased sense of owner- beyond the scope of this study. secure access to strategic materials; and ship (2, 6, 15). These issues are contro- A brief historic review of SSC is in- to obtain political privilege (13, 14). Fur- versial, as the same authors and others troduced, given its importance in con- thermore, a lot of foreign aid has been also list SSC limitations that partially co- structing the proposed narrative. Then characterized by volatility, unequal and incide with the ills of NSC: fragmented the historic development of health coop- inequitable patterns of distribution, con- assistance and coordination problems eration within LAC regional integration tingency on all donor interests, and lack among donors, lack of accessible and processes is presented. Finally, certain of responsibility or accountability (15). understandable information, financing elements of such processes that eventu- Consequently, the perceived failure of difficulties, not necessarily aligned with ally became core characteristics of SSC structural adjustment programs embed- development strategies of the recipient, are highlighted. ded in a number of traditional Official and little impact assessment culture (2, Development Assistance programs be- 6, 15, 18). SOUTH–SOUTH COOPERATION came widespread during the late 1980s Even if one considers horizontal re- and the 1990s, which led the UN to lations as a distinctive aspect of SSC, The meaning of SSC dates back to the develop an alternative for promoting it would be naïve to ignore specific emergence of southern consciousness development that took social, environ- foreign policy interests, even among na- (2).3 The Bandung Conference in 1955, mental, and human rights concerns into tions of the south (3, 21). In short, SSC is the Nonaligned Movement in 1961, and account. Thus, the processes of regional a concept with ideologic, political, and the Group of 77 in 1964 were the first po- integration regained momentum and technical hues that is innovating inter- litical dialogues between southern coun- provided a basis for SSC, which has national cooperation for development tries to promote shared interests and to been propelled both by the impulse of but whose operation has not fully pulled strengthen their negotiating capacity in emerging countries and by the fatigue of away from the paradigm of traditional
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Mercosur: the Common Market of the Twenty-First Century?
    GEORGIA JOURNAL OF INTERNATIONAL AND COMPARATIVE LAW VOLUME 32 2004 NUMBER 1 MERCOSUR: THE COMMON MARKET OF THE TWENTY-FIRST CENTURY? Rafael A. Porrata-Doria,Jr. * I. INTRODUCTION MERCOSUR, the "Common Market of the Southern Cone," was created in March 1990 by the Treaty of Asunci6n and was meant to create a common market among its four signatories (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay) by December 31, 1994.' This common market would include the graduated elimination of all customs duties among its signatories,2 the creation of a common external tariff, the adoption of a common trade policy,3 and the harmonization of economic policies The Treaty of Asunci6n, and its * Professor of Law, Temple University. J.D. 1977, Yale University; M.A., University of Pennsylvania; B.A. 1974, University of Pennsylvania. This Article, based substantially on research materials not available in English, is the first comprehensive description and evaluation of MERCOSUR in the English language. The author is a former consultant to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (World Bank) and was a mission participant and co- author of its study "Competition Policy and MERCOSUR" (1996). The author gratefully acknowledges the helpful comments of Marina Angel, Jeffrey Dunoff, and Henry Richardson. The author particularly appreciates the outstanding efforts of his principal research assistant, Julie Liebenberg, J.D. 2004, Temple University School of Law, and of his current research assistant, Suzette Sanders, J.D. expected 2005, Temple University School of Law. The information in this Article is current as of August 2003. ' Treaty of Asunci6n Establishing a Common Market among Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Mar.
    [Show full text]
  • The Rise and Fall of the Inter-American System
    V Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencia Política. Asociación Latinoamericana de Ciencia Política, Buenos Aires, 2010. The Rise and Fall of the Inter-American System. Poggio Teixeira Carlos Gustavo. Cita: Poggio Teixeira Carlos Gustavo (2010). The Rise and Fall of the Inter-American System. V Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencia Política. Asociación Latinoamericana de Ciencia Política, Buenos Aires. Dirección estable: http://www.aacademica.org/000-036/565 Acta Académica es un proyecto académico sin fines de lucro enmarcado en la iniciativa de acceso abierto. Acta Académica fue creado para facilitar a investigadores de todo el mundo el compartir su producción académica. Para crear un perfil gratuitamente o acceder a otros trabajos visite: http://www.aacademica.org. The rise and fall of the Inter-American System Carlos Gustavo Poggio Teixeira Doctoral candidate in International Studies at Old Dominion University, with sponsorship from Fulbright and the Brazilian Ministry of Education. E-mail: [email protected] Field: International Relations Paper prepared for presentation at the V Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencia Política, organized by Asociación Latinoamericana de Ciencia Política (ALACIP). Buenos Aires, July 28- 30, 2010 Abstract This paper proposes to look back at the evolution of the so called Inter-American System since its first manifestations in the first half of the 19th century in order to shed some light on current developments. Some explanations that may have led to the current atmosphere of deterioration of this system are proposed. Additionally, it intends to assess what this deterioration means and what practical consequences it may bring. The conclusion is that the recent events are in fact symptom of a broader historical phenomenon of increasingly decline of the Inter-American System and if the present posture is maintained this decline tends to get steeper overtime.
    [Show full text]
  • UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    UC Berkeley UC Berkeley Electronic Theses and Dissertations Title Financial Institutions and the Real Economy Permalink https://escholarship.org/uc/item/6bq1q4t7 Author Messer, Todd Publication Date 2021 Peer reviewed|Thesis/dissertation eScholarship.org Powered by the California Digital Library University of California Financial Institutions and the Real Economy by Todd Messer A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Economics in the Graduate Division of the University of California, Berkeley Committee in charge: Professor Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Chair Professor Christina Romer Associate Professor Benjamin Faber Spring 2021 Financial Institutions and the Real Economy Copyright 2021 by Todd Messer 1 Abstract Financial Institutions and the Real Economy by Todd Messer Doctor of Philosophy in Economics University of California, Berkeley Professor Pierre-Olivier Gourinchas, Chair This dissertation examines the role of financial institutions as they relate to foreign currency payments and financial stability. The first chapter of this dissertation examines how the foreign currency component of international payments can be costly for importers and ex- porters by studying the introduction of a payments system between Brazil and Argentina established in 2008. The second chapter of this dissertation examines the reasons behind short-term funding vulnerabilities of financial institutions by studying Building and Loan Associations in California during the Great Depression. Finally, the last chapter of this dis- sertation studies the COVID-19 pandemic, which is one of the most important public health and economic events of recent history. This chapter studies the effect of stay-at-home orders, enacted to combat the spread of COVID-19, on local labor markets.
    [Show full text]
  • Building" Nuestra América:" National Sovereignty and Regional
    Building “Nuestra América:” National Sovereignty and Regional Integration in the Americas* Renata Keller** “It is the hour of reckoning and of marching in unison, and we must move in lines as compact as the veins of silver that lie at the roots of the Andes.” José Martí, “Nuestra América,”1891 José Martí, the Cuban intellectual and independence hero, publis- hed one of his most important essays in a Mexican newspaper while representing Uruguay at the First International Conference of Ame- rican States in Washington DC in 1891. Titled “Nuestra América,” Martí’s call to action touched on a number of themes, including nati- onalism, imperialism, and racism. He urged his readers to discard * Article submitted on September 16th, 2013 and approved for publication in October 16th, 2013. ** Renata Keller is an assistant professor of International Relations at Boston University and holds a Ph.D. in History from the University of Texas at Austin. Her research and teaching interests focus on Latin American history, particularly the connections between foreign and domestic politics, the dynamics of the Cold War, and U.S. relations with Latin America. E-mail: [email protected]. CONTEXTO INTERNACIONAL Rio de Janeiro, vol. 35, no 2, julho/dezembro 2013, p. 537-564. 537 Contexto Internacional (PUC) Vol. 35 no 2 – jul/dez 2013 1ª Revisão: 29/12/2013 Renata Keller their provincial mindsets, insisting that “hometowns that are still strangers to one another XX must hurry to become acquainted, like men who are about to battle together” (MARTÍ, 1977, p. 26).
    [Show full text]
  • Download (777Kb)
    Press Release € uropennCommwntties New York, 22 November 1985 PR L6/AS E.C. AND CENTRAL AMERICA MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE The European Community last week strengthened its ties to Central America at a Conference that produced a five-year Cooperation Agree- ment, a plan for joint annual meetings to promote political dialogue, and Economj-c and Po1itical Communiqu6s. "This is a very important political step, I I said C1aude Cheysson, E.C. Commissioner for North-South Relatj-ons, noting that the Commu- nity strongly supports regional cooperation around the world. "We must now demonstrate our will to act together in the medium and long term, with mutual regard and the recognition of differences, in the framework of an agrreement of peace and cooperation. " Attending the LL-L2 November Conference in Luxembourg, in addition to Mr. Cheysson, were the Foreign Ministers of the 10 E.C. Member States, future members Spain and Portugal; Costa Rica, EI Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (States parties to the General Treaty for Central Amerj-ca Economic Integration); and the Contadora Group members Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela. They took the following actions : Cooperation Agreement. The Community and the six countries of the us signed a five-year accord under which they agreed to strengthen trade relations between the two regions on the basis of most-favoured nation treatment, to cooperate in technologi- cal, agricultural, indusLrial and other fields, and to promote European investment in Central America. The Community agreed to increase substantially its aid to Central America, with a particular emphasis on regional projects. It further pledged to examine ways to improve the EC Generalized System of Preferences, which provides trade concessions to developing countries, as it applies to Central America.
    [Show full text]
  • The European Union's Policy Towards Mercosur
    towards Mercosur towards policy Union’s The European EPRU The European Union’s policy towards Mercosur European Series Policy This book provides a distinctive and empirically rich account of the European Research Union’s (EU’s) relationship with the Common Market of the South (Mercosur). It seeks to examine the motivations that determine the EU’s policy towards Unit Mercosur, the most important relationship the EU has with another regional Series economic integration organization. In order to investigate these motivations (or lack thereof), this study The European examines the contribution of the main policy- and decision-makers, the European Commission and the Council of Ministers, as well as the different contributions of the two institutions. It analyses the development of EU policy towards Mercosur in relation to three key stages: non-institutionalized Union’s policy relations (1986–1990), official relations (1991–1995), and the negotiations for an association agreement (1996–2004 and 2010–present). Arana argues that the dominant explanations in the literature fail to towards adequately explain the EU’s policy – in particular, these accounts tend to infer the EU’s motives from its activity. Drawing on extensive primary documents, the book argues that the major developments in the relationship were initiated by Mercosur and supported mainly by Spain. Rather than Mercosur the EU pursuing a strategy, as implied by most of the existing literature, the EU was largely responsive, which explains why the relationship is much less developed than the EU’s relations with other parts of the world. The European Union’s policy towards Mercosur will benefit academics and Responsive not strategic postgraduate students of European Union Foreign Affairs, inter-regionalism Gomez Arana and Latin American regionalism.
    [Show full text]
  • Ronald Reagan and the Peace Process in Central America: the Contadora’S Shortsight
    RONALD REAGAN AND THE PEACE PROCESS IN CENTRAL AMERICA: THE CONTADORA’S SHORTSIGHT Major Rafael Ayala Divassi JCSP 40 PCEMI 40 Exercise Solo Flight Exercice Solo Flight Disclaimer Avertissement Opinions expressed remain those of the author and do Les opinons exprimées n’engagent que leurs auteurs et not represent Department of National Defence or ne reflètent aucunement des politiques du Ministère de Canadian Forces policy. This paper may not be used la Défense nationale ou des Forces canadiennes. Ce without written permission. papier ne peut être reproduit sans autorisation écrite. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the © Sa Majesté la Reine du Chef du Canada, représentée par le Minister of National Defence, 2014. ministre de la Défense nationale, 2014. 1 CANADIAN FORCES COLLEGE / COLLÈGE DES FORCES CANADIENNES JCSP 40 / PCEMI 40 SOLO FLIGHT RONALD REAGAN AND THE PEACE PROCESS IN CENTRAL AMERICA: THE CONTADORA’S SHORTSIGHT By Maj Ayala Divassi, Rafael 12 May 2014 This paper was written by a student attending La présente étude a été rédigée par un stagiaire the Canadian Forces College in fulfilment of du Collège des Forces canadiennes pour one of the requirements of the Course of satisfaire à l'une des exigences du cours. Studies. The paper is a scholastic document, L'étude est un document qui se rapporte au and thus contains facts and opinions, which the cours et contient donc des faits et des opinions author alone considered appropriate and que seul l'auteur considère appropriés et correct for the subject. It does not necessarily convenables au sujet.
    [Show full text]
  • This Is an Accepted Manuscript of a Book Chapter Published by Ashgate / Routledge in 2012
    This is an Accepted Manuscript of a book chapter published by Ashgate / Routledge in 2012. https://www.routledge.com/p/book/9781409434641 Please cite the published version! Hummel, Felix/ Mathis Lohaus (2012): “MERCOSUR: Integration through Presidents and Paymasters.” In: Tanja A. Börzel/ Lukas Goltermann/ Mathis Lohaus/ Kai Striebinger (eds.): Roads to Regionalism. Genesis, Design, and Effects of Regional Organizations. Aldershot: Ashgate/Routledge, 59-77. 1 Chapter 4 MERCOSUR: Integration through Presidents and Paymasters Felix Hummel and Mathis Lohaus Introduction Which factors evoke attempts towards regional integration and influence their rate of success? In the case of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), the most prominent theories in this regard seem to lack explanatory power. Neither the emergence nor the institutional development and outcomes of MERCOSUR are consistent with the assumptions made by intergovernmentalism and neofunctionalism. As one scholar puts it, “the sequence of interdependence–integration–institutions simply did not take place” (Malamud 2003: 59–61), thus limiting the applicability of the major theories. To account for regional integration in this case, a different approach appears to be necessary. According to our hypothesis, Mattli’s (1999) framework for regional integration will prove suitable. With regard to the emergence of MERCOSUR, the organization can be seen as a counter-union to balance external influences like the US-led Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) or bilateral agreements. The subsequent (lack of) regional integration is best explained by a mixture of demand- and supply-side factors, combining arguments from economics and political science. Our main explanatory factors are the Latin American particularity of interpresidentialism and Brazil’s role as a paymaster.
    [Show full text]
  • New Approaches to Migration Management in Mexico and Central America by Francisco Alba and Manuel Ángel Castillo the Regional Migration Study Group
    THE REGIONAL MIGRATION STUDY GROUP NEW APPROACHES TO MIGRATION ManaGEMENT IN MEXICO anD CENTRAL AMERICA By Francisco Alba and Manuel Ángel Castillo THE REGIONAL MIGRATION STUDY GrOUP NEW APPROACHES TO MIGRATION ManaGEMENT IN MEXICO anD CENTRAL AMERICA Francisco Alba and Manuel Ángel Castillo El Colegio de México October 2012 Acknowledgments While the two authors share responsibility for the contents of this report, Francisco Alba assumes a greater share of responsibility for the analysis on Mexico and Manuel Ángel Castillo does so for the Central American country case studies. Both authors’ exchange of ideas and discussion are reflected to a greater degree in the sections covering the repercussions of Mexico’s law on migration and the discussion of regional migration issues. This research has been made possible through the generous support of the Tinker Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and the Open Society Foundations. This report was produced for the October 2011 meeting of the Regional Migration Study Group convened by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) and the Latin American Program of the Woodrow Wilson Center. The Study Group, a three-year initiative, will act as a virtual think tank to the policymakers and civil-society officials in the United States, Mexico, and Central America who manage day-to-day migration relations and other issues related to human capital and global competitiveness. The Study Group’s mission, membership, and research can be found at: www.migrationpolicy.org/regionalstudygroup. © 2012 Migration Policy Institute. All Rights Reserved. Cover Photo: Modified version of North American map (2725801) – BigStockPhoto.com Cover Design: Burke Speaker, MPI Typesetting: April Siruno, MPI No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission from the Migration Policy Institute.
    [Show full text]
  • Central America's Recent Development
    ANNEX: CENTRAL AMERICA’S RECENT DEVELOPMENT _____________________________________________________________________________ CENTRAL AMERICA’S RECENT DEVELOPMENT Following is a brief description of how development, in its diverse aspects, has taken place within the Central American context throughout the most recent decades, with a view to more clearly understand the needs to transform and modernize the economies and societies of the region. PEACE AND DEMOCRACY During the eighties Central America was immersed in the deepest crisis of its history. Combined with the economic situation – which will be discussed in the following section – the fragility of the democratic processes in some of the countries, and the armed confrontations in Guatemala, El Salvador and Nicaragua, affected the region as a whole. The deterioration of social conditions and of economic development, as well as setbacks in the regional integration process, produced tensions between the States, and massive migratory movements occurred within and outside Central America. The “lost decade” for the entire Latin American region superimposed itself over the accumulated historical gaps and the political, social and economic roots of the Central American situation. The confrontation between the great powers involved Central America in their disputes. In spite of the above, at the beginning of 1983, a Latin American initiative took place to seek pacific solutions to the Central American conflicts. The Contadora Group - integrated by the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Colombia and Panama - to which the Support Group, comprised of Argentina, Brazil, Peru and Uruguay, was added later on, headed it. These initiatives highlighted the linkage between the pacification and democratization processes and the vision of inter- dependence between peace and development.
    [Show full text]
  • A Century of Public Health in the Americas
    Chapter 1 A Century of Public Health in the Americas Health is a powerful tool for making a safer and INTRODUCTION durable world for all. For those who really want to ‘‘talk the talk’’ and ‘‘walk the walk,’’ it is a moral The Region of the Americas is a geographically vast, imperative to make inequities visible. (1) historically rich, and ubiquitously beautiful land. It Mirta Roses Periago, also is a region of stark and contrasting realities—in Director, Pan American Health Organization its population’s health and human development and Health in the Americas, 2012 Edition: Regional Volume N ’ Pan American Health Organization, 2012 HEALTH IN THE AMERICAS, 2012 N REGIONAL VOLUME in the interplay of social, economic, environmental, predominantly rural to being predominantly urban and political determinants. These disparate traits (4, 5). have been increasingly scrutinized, documented, The Region of the Americas has made and targeted since the Pan American Health remarkable strides in population health. In the last Organization (PAHO) came into being in 1902. 110 years, the infant mortality rate decreased from Without question, in the intervening 110 years the 167.4 per 1,000 live births in 1900 (229.1 in Latin Region has made remarkable strides in improving America and the Caribbean; 145.0 in North the health of its people. But inequities persist, and America) to 15.2 in 2010 (20.3 in Latin America this fact will inspire and guide the Region’s collective and the Caribbean; 6.6 in North America): that is, effort to usher in a better future—a future that is on average, an astounding 11-fold reduction (22-fold healthier, wealthier, fairer, and more equitable.
    [Show full text]
  • European Parliament ·
    EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DELEGATION for relations with LATIN AMERICA Background note on THE·------------------ CONTADORA GROUP and RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CENTRAL AMERICA drawn up by the Directorate-General for Research and Documentation DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR COMMITTEES AND INTERPARLIAMENTARY DELEGATIONS 2 9 May 1985 PE 94.028/rev l 1111 fUN I AllliNA t.NUIII' 1. The Contadora Group, named after a Panamanian island, was formed in January 1983 by the Presidents of Colombia, Mexico, Panama and Venezuela with the aim of seeking a peaceful settlement to the Central American conflicts. The four Contadora countries are not directly involved in the conflicts but, given their geographical location, are particularly concerned about the crisis in the region. The five countries most directly involved are Nicaragua, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica. The governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Costa Rica <which has no army and tries to remain neutral> tend in varying degrees to be close to United States pol icy in the region. The two principal armed conflicts in the region are: <1> In El Salvador, between the government and anti-Government forces. <In mid-October 1984, a first meeting between the two sides at the initiative of President Duarte represented a very significant step towards a negotiated settlement>; <2> In Nicaragua, between the Government and rebels - the so-called 'contras' based principally in Honduras and Costa Rica and who receive backing from the United States. There is also an armed conflict between the Government and rebels in Guatemala. 2. Following a number of meetings at foreign minister level, the Presidents of the Contadora countries met at Cancun in Mexico in July 1983 and adopted the so-called Cancun Declaration, which was duly ratified by the countries concerned at the end of September 1983.
    [Show full text]