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Canada’s Participation in Inter-American Events: Fall 2006
IV Inter-American Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility
December 10-12, 2006 More than 500 participants from 20 countries attended the IV Inter-American Conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) under the theme Good Business for Allin Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The event was sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank,ETHOS Institute and the Bahia State Federation of Industries. The conference underscored the importance of corporate social responsibility for development and aimed to establish a direct and positive correlation between business profitability and corporate social responsibility. Among the themes discussed were a) the contribution to development of a responsible private sector b) the role of the State in creating a favourable environment for CSR c) Civil society in CSR d) strategic alliances for development involving civil society organizations, private sector and the government. The detailed programme can be found on the Conference’s website. IstInter-American Meeting on Sustainable Development
December 4- 5, 2006 The First Inter-American Meeting of Ministers and High-Level Authorities on Sustainable development of the Organisation of American States (OAS) was held in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. The meeting identified and advanced concrete partnerships at the regional and hemispheric level to integrate environmental considerations into development, poverty alleviation, social and economic policies. The meeting examined three areas: a) integrated water-resource management b) risk sharing and risk transfer arrangements of natural disasters c) sustainable agriculture, sustainable forestry and tourism. Member States ratified the Declaration of Santa Cruz and the Inter-American Program for Sustainable Development (2006–2009). A roundtable with civil society and indigenous representatives was held prior to the Meeting. V Plenary Meeting Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas
November 19-21, 2006
The Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA) held its 5th Plenary Meeting in Bogota, Colombia. The main themes of the meeting were trade and integration, the fight against drug trafficking, poverty reduction, the participation of women in politics, and gender equality. Among other things, the meeting provided the opportunity to elect, by acclamation, Brazilian deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly as President of FIPA, thus allowing Canadian Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette to successfully conclude two consecutive terms as President, a position she had held since FIPA was created in 2001. The Plenary Meeting also saw the creation of a joint work group between FIPA and the Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas (COPA). The official report of the Plenary Meeting will be published on the FIPA website, along with the full text of the recommendations from all work groups. Visit of OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin
November 15-16, 2006
OAS Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin visited Ottawa on November 15-16, 2006. The visit allowed to review among others a) OAS efforts in Haiti and Canadian engagement with the new OAS Haiti Task Force b) OAS electoral observation missions and broader democratic strengthening c) Efforts to increase effectiveness and accountability in OAS budget and program management. The visit also included an opportunity to exchange views with Canadian civil society organizations. Ambassador Ramdin’s visit also provided an opportunity for him to meet with civil society representatives where he discussed the role of civil society in the OAS, and how civil society participation in OAS activities has evolved and expanded in recent years. In his remarks, Ambassador Ramdin mentioned the need for further progress in this area, including in improving the ministerial dialogue with civil society at the annual OAS General Assembly. Interventions from civil society participants stressed the need for greater acknowledgement and feedback on civil society recommendations and drew attention to the difference that exists between the civil society organizations active at the Inter-American level, and more grassroots organizations. III Inter-American Meeting on Culture
November 13-15, 2006
The Honourable Bev Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, chaired the Third Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of Culture and Highest Appropriate Authorities, which took place in Montreal, Canada. Twenty-eight OAS Member States participated in discussions, with representation by Ministers and Highest Authorities responsible for Culture from eleven OAS Member States. Representatives from civil society and international organizations contributed to the discussions. Discussions focused on four themes inspired by priorities highlighted by Heads of State at the Fourth Summit of the Americas (Mar del Plata, Argentina, 2005); a) preservation and presentation of cultural heritage b) culture and the enhancement of the dignity and identity of our people c) culture and the creation of decent jobs and the overcoming of poverty d) culture and the role of indigenous peoples. The Member States ratified the Montreal Final Statement and the List of Priority Activities in Culture (2007-2008). All documents and presentations distributed during the Montreal Ministerial are available on the OAS website. The Inter-American Democratic Charter: Taking Stock After 5 years
To mark the 5th anniversary of the Organization of American States (OAS) Inter-American Democratic Charter, adopted in 2001 in Lima, Peru, the Permanent Council of the OAS held a special commemorative meeting at headquarters in Washington DC on 12th September 2006. Meeting provided an opportunity to: a) gauge engagement of the region in support of democracy b) assess appetite for enhanced focus on Charter implementation c) reaffirm support for Secretary General Insulza and OAS democracy promotion efforts as a key priority for the OAS. The ceremony served as a timely opportunity for member states to reinforce the region’s commitment to democracy, identify some of the persistent crucial challenges to democratic development (poverty/inequality, weaknesses in governance, security related challenges) and propose ways to strengthen the Charter’s implementation. In his first official statement at the OAS, Canada’s new Permanent Representative, Graeme Clark renewed Canada’s commitment to democracy in the Americas and to the Democratic Charter, with a focus on the need to ensure the accountability of countries in upholding democratic values and principles, and the importance of supporting the OAS’ democracy efforts. Democracy Promotion eDiscussion Democracy Promotion eDiscussion, January 22 - March 30, 2007: Building on Canada’s long history of promoting democracy abroad, the Government of Canada is looking to identify ways in which Canada can play a more active role on the world stage in promoting democratic principles. Take part in this eDiscussion! Speeches
Address by Ambassador Graeme Clark, Permanent Representative of Canada to the OAS on the occasion of the "Seminario Internacional Gobernabilidad Democratica y Alianzas Nacionales para las Cumbres de las Américas" Santiago, Chile, 16 November, 2006 - Address by Mr. James Lambert, Director General, Latin America and the Caribbean, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, on the occasion of the conference “Global Governance and the Contours of Domestic Politics in the Americas” The Centre for International Governance Innovation, 3 November, 2006
- Intervention by Ambassador Graeme Clark, Organisation of American States, Permanent Council Regular meeting, October 11, 2006
- Introductory Intervention by Ambassador Graeme Clark, Permanent Representative of Canada to the OAS on the occasion of the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the adoption of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, September 12, 2006
Forthcoming Events
For more details on forthcoming events, please consult the OAS calendar.
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