BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES

(Presented by the Chair of the Committee)

Office of Summit Follow-up, Organization of American States

Washington, D.C., August 26, 1999

1. Introduction
2. Working Group to Study the Possibility of Granting Status to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in the OAS
3. Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development
4. Celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Organization of American States
5. Special Joint Working Group of the Permanent Council and the Inter-American Council for Integral Development on the Strengthening and Modernization of the OAS
6. Activities of the Various OAS Organs, Units, and Offices with Civil Society
7. APPENDIX: OAS Documents on Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

 EXPLANATORY NOTE

This document, "Background Information on Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities," was prepared by the Office of Summits Follow-Up of the Organization of American States at the request of the Chair of the Committee on Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities, Ambassador Patricio Vivanco Riofrío, Permanent Representative of Ecuador to the OAS.

Its objective is to compile all pertinent information on the process of civil society participation in the OAS. It therefore brings together various documents and summarizes activities relating to civil society prepared or carried out by the political organs and the General Secretariat since the establishment of the Organization.

This report is available to the public through the Internet page of the aforementioned Committee: www.civil-society.oas.org.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION ON CIVIL SOCIETY

PARTICIPATION IN THE OAS

I. INTRODUCTION

Since 1948, the OAS has expressed an interest in the establishment of relations with nongovernmental organizations, as is reflected in Article 53.d of the Charter of the OAS, which established as a duty of the Council of the Organization the conclusion "of agreements or special arrangements for cooperation with other American organizations of recognized international standing."

In 1949, the Council approved the first "Standards for the Conclusion of Agreements or Special Arrangements between the Council and Its Organs and Nongovernmental Organizations." These standards were revised and simplified several times until the approval by the General Assembly in 1971 of the "Standards on Cooperative Relations," contained in resolution AG/RES. 57 (I-O/71)^/. Articles 13 to 22 of those standards refer to relations with nongovernmental organizations.

Article 13 states that relations may be established with NGOs

"...whose objectives and activities are compatible with the principles and purposes of the Organization...,"

and that they may be either general or special in nature.

Articles 14 through 17 refer to general relations with NGOs, which may be established at the initiative of any of the organs of the Organization, of the Secretary General, or of the interested NGO. In such general relationships, NGOs answer inquiries and provide the OAS with advisory services on matters within their sphere of competence, and disseminate among their members information provided by the OAS on its objectives and activities. These relations also allow for the exchange of documents and publications, consultation in writing on matters of common interest, and mutual invitations to meetings within the rules of each meeting.

Under Articles 18 through 22 of the said Standards, the OAS has established special cooperative relations between the technical areas and NGOs, allowing programs to be executed on behalf of the OAS; projects to be implemented jointly; and technical, administrative or financial resources for the programs of the OAS to be contributed.

In the case of specialized conferences, Article 11 of the Standards for the Inter-American Specialized Conferences [resolution AG/RES. 85 (II-O/72)] allows for participation by NGOs in the following terms:

"Except for the cases specified in basic instruments establishing special procedures, the following may accredit observers to the specialized conferences:

International or national organizations that maintain cooperative relations with the Organization or with the inter-American specialized organization sponsoring the conference or, in other cases, when the organ at whose initiative the conference is convoked expressly decides to do so..."

Under the general terms of AG/RES. 85 (II-O/72)^/, different specialized conferences, technical and special meetings have developed more detailed rules of procedure in accordance with their respective requirements.

In addition, various nongovernmental organizations attend the regular sessions of the General Assembly as special guests, as provided for in the Rules of Procedure of the General Assembly.

II.  WORKING GROUP TO STUDY THE POSSIBILITY OF GRANTING STATUS TO NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (NGOs) IN THE OAS

On July 11, 1994, the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs (CAJP) of the Organization of American States established the Working Group to Study the Possibility of Granting Status to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) in the OAS, in response to a request by the Permanent Mission of Canada^/, which asked the Permanent Council to consider the topic "Study of the Possible Granting of Status to Nongovernmental Organizations (NGOs) at the OAS."

The Working Group held a series of meetings between July 18, 1994, and October 10, 1996. Heads of various areas of the General Secretariat and of the organs, agencies, and entities of the Organization were invited to attend several of these meetings to present their views regarding the type of participation that NGOs would have in meetings, programs, and other OAS activities. The Working Groups also considered information compiled on relations between NGOs and other organizations of the inter-American system and the United Nations system (CP/CAJP-1005/95)^/. The Working Group’s objective was to determine, on the basis of the information compiled, the status of NGOs in the Organization, the criteria governing such status, whether it was necessary to improve relations between the OAS and the NGOs, and, if so, how this objective could be achieved, and, if the NGOs were granted status, what it should be.

Among the presentations made by the heads of the General Secretariat areas were the following:

Department of Regional Development and Environment: The Director of the Department indicated "very fruitful and very long cooperative relationships" with NGOs and described three basic types: contracts for specific functions, which were growing rapidly with local NGOs; co-financing arrangements (NGOs contribute money, staff, or other services); and consultation on pertinent issues.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR): The Assistant Executive Secretary explained the specialized functions performed by the NGOs in collaboration with the IACHR in the petition process, the presentation of individual cases and overall situations, information-gathering for on-site visits, legal opinions, and provision of technical assistance and financing.

Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD): The Executive Secretary stated that, on the basis of the Standards on Cooperative Relations, CICAD has formal and informal relations with many NGOs at present, and underscored that the NGOs have very good local information and are therefore essential to the smooth functioning of programs at the community level.

Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CIDI): The Acting Executive Secretary discussed the possible role for NGOs in CIDI once it starts to operate. In this regard, the Acting Executive Secretary suggested that regional NGOs linked to cooperation should participate with observer status at ministerial meetings held by CIDI, and in the non-permanent committees of CIDI. He also said that the NGOs could provide assistance to projects carried out by the Secretariat since they had access to valuable human resources at the community level.

Office of the Secretary General, Public Relations: The Special Adviser to the Secretary General for External Communications addressed the Group on how modern technological developments, in particular the use of the Internet, might transform OAS/NGO relations and OAS outreach efforts. He noted that increased dialogue between the OAS and the NGOs would afford the OAS both an audience for its own activities and an opportunity to better appreciate what is being done in the field and suggested that the OAS could, through the Internet, newsletters, and brochures, establish a clearing-house of information.

With regard to the other organizations of the inter-American system, the Working Group heard presentations by representatives of the Pan American Health Organization and the Inter-American Development Bank.

Pan American Health Organization (PAHO): Mr. David Brandling-Bennett, Deputy Director, reported that the PAHO Constitution allows it to make suitable arrangements for "consultation and cooperation" with NGOs in carrying out its international health work, and that in 1995 PAHO member governments adopted a basic document entitled "Principles Guiding Relations between the Pan American Health Organization and Non-governmental Organizations," which outlines criteria and procedures for working formally with NGOs. PAHO has a long history of official relations with NGOs that provide technical assistance and training and undertake research. The Deputy Director identified PAHO’s specific objective in fostering heightened cooperation and dialogue between governments and NGOs to support better means for technical cooperation and program support; to promote the exchange of information and experiences between NGOs and governments; to link government-NGO services in order to avoid duplication and the waste of resources; and to provide technical training and develop national action plans for government-NGO collaboration.

Inter-American Development Bank (IDB): Mrs. Nan Burroughs, Government Affairs Officer, Office of External Affairs, said that, while there is no institutional policy or procedures for collaboration with NGOs, ties were in place and increasing throughout the institution. Additionally, certain measures have been put in place to facilitate these relations, for example, the Internet and a new Public Information Center, both of which allow for IDB documents to be accessed by the public.

In addition, the Working Group also indicated that the NGOs participate not only in OAS specialized conferences, but also in technical and special meetings, and it considered it appropriate to make practical recommendations to ensure consistent practices. Recent events, such as the Regional Conference on Confidence- and Security-Building Measures, Santiago, Chile (1995); the Meeting of Experts in the Area of Environmentally Sound Technologies for Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprise, Ottawa, Canada, (1995); the Specialized Conference on the Draft Inter-American Conference against Corruption, Caracas, Venezuela (1996); the Inter-American Specialized Conference on Terrorism, Lima, Peru (1996), and the First Special Meeting of the Working Group on OAS Cooperation regarding the Hemispheric Summit on Sustainable Development, Washington D.C. (1996) are examples of meetings in which NGOs participated and which might be taken into consideration.

On completing its work, the Working Group presented a report^/ on its activities and the following conclusions and recommendations:

1. The Working Group recognized the valuable contributions by NGOs to the Organization.

2. The Working Group recognized that NGOs have a status within the OAS governed by the Standards on Cooperative Relations and the Standards for the Inter-American Specialized Conferences, cited above.

3. The Working Group has carefully reviewed this existing legal framework and found that even though these Standards are general, they allow for NGO participation in OAS meetings and do not need to be amended.

4. The Working Group recognized nonetheless the usefulness of defining practical recommendations to ensure consistent practices and enhance OAS-NGO relations. These would include consideration by the member states of the definition of selection criteria with regard to NGO participation in programs, projects, and activities; financing; and document dissemination.

Moreover, the Working Group recommended that the General Secretariat examine the following:

1. The establishment and periodic update of a register of NGOs with which the OAS has relations; and

b. The improvement of OAS-NGO relations through a regular, mutually beneficial, information-sharing program facilitated by the Department of Public Information. There should be a public information strategy which could serve, inter alia, to promote awareness of the OAS, allow NGOs which have not previously had relations with the OAS to do so, and permit the OAS to more effectively access NGOs.

In addition, resolution CP/RES. 704 (1129/97)^/ adopted by the Permanent Council, instructed the General Secretariat to:

• Prepare and submit to the Permanent Council draft practical guidelines to ensure consistency and enhancement of relations between the OAS General Secretariat and the NGOs, which include the definition of selection criteria with regard to NGO participation in programs, projects, and activities; financing; and document dissemination.

• Present to the Permanent Council and Permanent Executive Committee of the Inter-American Council for Integral Development (CEPCIDI) a written report indicating the ways to improve relations between the OAS General Secretariat and NGOs and the role of the Department of Public Information in this process; and

• Prepare and periodically update a register of NGOs with which the OAS has relations and report to the Permanent Council and the CEPCIDI on its compliance with this mandate.

III. SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development, held in Bolivia in December 1996, was an important step toward implementing the Miami initiative on civil society. The Heads of State and Government supported "broad participation by civil society in the decision-making process, including policies and programs and their design, implementation, and evaluation." At the Bolivia Summit, the OAS was charged with formulating an inter-American strategy for civil society participation in decision-making in the area of sustainable development. This strategy would have to promote the exchange of experiences among governments and civil society, identify legal and institutional mechanisms for facilitating the participation of civil society, and promote mechanisms for consultation at the national and regional levels to ensure the participation of civil society.

It should be noted that in the negotiation process for the Santa Cruz Summit, a consultation session was held between governments and civil society representatives from throughout the Hemisphere. This session was held within the OAS framework and was an important event in the evolution of civil society participation in the Summits process as, for the first time, the views of representatives of various nongovernmental organizations were heard and their presentations were taken into account in preparing the documents that were subsequently signed by the Heads of State and Government of the Hemisphere. It is also significant that during the negotiation process for the Declaration and Plan of Action of Santa Cruz, some countries included representatives of civil society in their delegations.

IV. CELEBRATION OF THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

In commemoration of its 50th anniversary, on March 5 and 6, 1998, the Organization of American States held the Conference of the Americas, at its headquarters in Washington D.C. Various distinguished figures, political leaders, members of government and civil society, academics, and media representatives of the Hemisphere were invited to this event to discuss the challenges to the region in the 21^st century. The conference took the form of six panels to discuss the following topics: trade, poverty, environment and sustainable development, education, democracy, and human rights. Each panel had a principal speaker to introduce the topic, after which a discussion ensued. The panelists, representing the public and civil society, were drawn from various countries of the Hemisphere. One of the panels’ objectives was to encourage discussion through audience participation.

One of the most important events of the Conference was the meeting of various Nobel Prize winners from the Hemisphere representing the diversity and creativity of the Americas. Participating Nobel laureates were: Mario Molina, Chemistry (Mexico); John Polanyi, Chemistry (Canada); Adolfo Perez Esquivel, Peace (Argentina); Baruj Benacerraf, Medicine (Venezuela); Oscar Arias, Peace (Costa Rica); Derek Walcott, Literature, (Saint Lucia); and Jody Williams, Peace (United States).

The Conference provided an opportunity for representatives of civil society to express their views and ideas in regard to the central topics of the new inter-American agenda, thus allowing these topics to be addressed from varying perspectives.

V. SPECIAL JOINT WORKING GROUP OF THE PERMANENT COUNCIL AND
THE INTER-AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT ON THE STRENGTHENING AND MODERNIZATION OF THE OAS

As part of the discussions of the Working Group, three meetings were held to discuss the implementation of resolution AG/RES. 1539 (XXVIII-O/98)^/, "The OAS and Civil Society." Written contributions to the discussion were presented by the delegation of Brazil (GETC/FORMOEA-65/98)^/ and, jointly, by the delegations of Argentina, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States (GETC/FORMOEA-80/99)^/.

Pursuant to the decision taken at one of the meetings, the Permanent Representative of Canada presented to the Chair of the Working Group a note containing a draft resolution and a progress report on the implementation of resolution AG/RES. 1539 (XXVIII-O/98).

The draft resolution and report presented by Canada and prepared after informal consultations in which the delegations of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States, Uruguay, and Venezuela participated, was discussed in the Working Group and approved.

The discussions took into account the existing legal basis for the establishment of cooperative relations between the Organization of American States and the United Nations, its specialized agencies, and other national and international organizations. It was also recalled that in the Plan of Action of the Second Summit of the Americas, the governments noted that the OAS might serve as a forum for the exchange of experiences and information, enabling the member states to promote civil society participation. Account was also taken of the work and report of the Working Group of the Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs, which met from 1994 to 1997.

The Special Joint Working Group took note of the fact that the requests to the General Secretariat on the presentation of proposals regarding the elaboration of practical guidelines to ensure the coherence and enhancement of relations between the Secretariat and NGOs have not yet been complied with.

The participation of civil society organizations in the work of various organs and entities of the inter-American system was also acknowledged. Similarly, the Inter-American Public Participation Strategy established by the Bolivia Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development as well as civil society participation in the framework of the negotiations on the establishment of a Free Trade Area of the Americas were identified as positive examples of OAS efforts in that regard.

Member states also acknowledged the evolving nature of civil society participation and its existing and potential contributions to the work of the Organization. While there was consensus on the importance of enhancing civil society participation, the member states expressed a wide variety of views on the practical approaches toward achieving this objective. In this regard, concerns were raised by some member states about the scope and nature of greater civil society participation, its financial implications, the need for representation of civil society organizations from all member states, and their participation in activities related to all issues in the OAS and Summit agendas.

In its examination of General Assembly resolution AG/RES. 1539 (XXXVIII-O/98) and based on the discussions and recommendations of the Special Joint Working Group of the Permanent Council and CIDI, the Permanent Council reached the following conclusions and recommendations:

1. To adopt measures to increase the degree to which relevant civil society organizations may become more closely involved in, and contribute to, the activities of the Organization.

2. The relationship between the OAS and civil society organizations is not a new phenomenon. There is a tradition of cooperation with civil society organizations in the implementation of technical cooperation projects, and certain organizations have been consulted on occasion in specific or technical areas.

3. Civil society organizations can make significant contributions to the work of the Organization. They can introduce additional knowledge and information in the decision-making process; they can raise new issues and concerns to be subsequently addressed by the Organization; they can provide expert advice in areas where they are the main actors; and they can contribute greatly to a consensus-building process in many areas.

4. Given the evolution of the role of non-State actors in public life and their increasing role at the national, regional, and international level – trends recognized both by the OAS and the Summit of the Americas – ways and means should be identified to enhance existing norms and practices in order to adapt to these new phenomena.

5. The General Secretariat should develop strategies to strengthen its ties with civil society in order to benefit from their potential contributions in the field of resource mobilization, operational activities, research and information outreach, and advocacy.

6. The General Secretariat should attempt to ensure that geographical location or ability to dispose of funds of the different civil society organizations interested in participating in the activities of the Organization is not an impediment to balanced representation.

7. In this regard, the Department of Public Information and the OAS national offices are encouraged to take advantage of the positive role that civil society organizations in all member states can play in the dissemination of information related to OAS goals and programs and in publicizing and gathering support for campaigns carried out by the Organization.

8. A crucial link to civil society organizations is the OAS Web site, considering that the advance of modern information technologies and their frequent use of the Internet make them primary beneficiaries of its offerings. Measures should be undertaken by the General Secretariat to further strengthen the usefulness of the Web site and to facilitate civil society organizations’ access to OAS-related activities.

9. The General Secretariat should also work toward ensuring the effective dissemination of OAS publications and newsletters of special interest to civil society organizations, particularly in cases of limited access to the Internet and other electronic information technologies.

10. Participation of civil society organizations in operational activities relating to cooperation program design, funding, and implementation should be strengthened. This is an aspect in which civil society organizations based in developing countries can play a key role.

11. In order to facilitate this objective, the General Secretariat is requested to inform the relevant intergovernmental organs (CIDI, the Permanent Council) with respect to the participation of civil society organizations in projects, programs, and other activities, as well as to maintain an updated list of organizations with which the Organization has established special cooperative relations.

12.  Although existing arrangements regarding the public nature of OAS meetings permit the presence of civil society organizations, it is recognized that the work of the Organization would benefit from the existence of clear guidelines and criteria regarding the scope and nature of civil society participation in intergovernmental meetings.

13. In this regard, it would also be useful to further clarify relations between the Organization and civil society organizations through procedures which clearly set out the criteria for participation and the responsibilities and obligations associated with it.

The arrangements set forth in the document "Guidelines for Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities"^/ are intended to achieve these objectives, through the creation of an accredited status for civil society organizations; the establishment of a Permanent Council Committee on Civil Society Participation to oversee its implementation; and the definition of rules of participation in intergovernmental meetings.

In its review of the OAS-related mandates of the Santiago Plan of Action, the Permanent Council concluded that their implementation would be an ongoing process, which, to be effective, requires close cooperation with member states as well as appropriate coordination with the mechanisms for reviewing the implementation of Summit of the Americas agreements.

The Permanent Council concluded that the OAS can play a useful role as a forum for the exchange of experiences and information on the formation of non-profit organizations and other responsible and transparent civil society organizations. To strengthen this role, the Permanent Council recommends the convocation of OAS seminars on the issue or, as appropriate, special meetings of the Permanent Council or its relevant committees both at headquarters and throughout the Hemisphere.

Member states are encouraged to establish and/or strengthen efficient communication systems or consultative mechanisms with civil society organizations which allow for the exchange of information and proposals regarding their interests and priorities as they relate to the OAS agenda.

Member states with relevant experience in this area are encouraged to exchange information with other member states, through the OAS, if they deem it appropriate.

The Permanent Council recognizes that, to achieve the objectives set out above, the OAS, with the appropriate financial support of the Inter-American Development Bank, could offer advice/assistance to member states that request it, in particular on the establishment of coordination mechanisms that facilitate contacts between governments and civil society organizations.

 VI. ACTIVITIES OF THE VARIOUS OAS ORGANS, UNITS, AND OFFICES WITH CIVIL SOCIETY

Permanent Council

During the first half of 1999, the Permanent Council invited members of civil society organizations to give presentations at some of its regular meetings. Among the guests were Amnesty International and the Organization of Africans in the Americas.

The Committee on Juridical and Political Affairs held a meeting of government experts at headquarters from February 10 to 12, 1999, for the purpose of examining the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Populations.

A presentation was given on the process of consultation with governments, Indian representatives, and other experts in the field. Dr. Wilton Littlechild, an Indian attorney and member of the Cree Nation, attended as an official member of the Committee delegation to that meeting.

For the first time in the history of the Organization, representatives of the member states and Indian representatives from throughout the Hemisphere discussed the proposal contained in the Declaration.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR)

Since its inception, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights has maintained relations with civil society. This contact has been not only productive but also essential to the defense and promotion of human right in the region. The many formal and informal manifestations of this relationship with civil society organizations (hereinafter "CSOs") and of their involvement in our task deserve to be summarized here.

In the system of individual cases, civil society organizations are the initiators and the natural counterpart of the state. They are a direct or indirect link between alleged victims in unsolved national cases and the Commission, make progress and provide information on particular cases as petitioners, request and justify precautionary measures, participate in friendly settlement procedures, and monitor fulfillment of any recommendations made by the Commission to the state. If a case is referred to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, they act as advisers to the Commission, participate and present arguments at hearings and during the reparations phase, and directly represent the alleged victims before the Court.

In monitoring the human rights situation in the countries, the CSOs maintain ongoing communication with the Commission, providing it with information on their own initiative or at the Commission's request. In the planning of its on-site visits to the countries, the IACHR takes into account, in addition to its own data, information provided by the state, the principal CSOs, and individual members of civil society as it defines its priorities and observation plan. During each visit, the Commission normally visits or holds hearings with a number of CSOs.

When it prepares new instruments on special topics (such as torture, forced disappearance, the rights of indigenous populations) or special reports (on prison conditions, refugees and migration, the rights of women, children's rights, etc.), the Commission consults with CSOs and receives valuable suggestions.

Finally, in efforts to promote awareness of the rules, doctrines, and mechanisms of the inter-American system, the CSOs play a pivotal role by organizing courses and seminars and publishing basic documents and jurisprudence.

Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD)

The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission and its Executive Secretariat work in accordance with the CICAD Statutes and Regulations and with the principles and aims of the Inter-American Program of Action of Rio de Janeiro (April 1986).

On that basis, the Commission, in addition to other functions, conducts technical cooperation activities at the request of member states and establishes cooperative relations in fields related to its mandate with other organizations and bodies. It may also invite to its sessions any civil society organization having an interest in a particular topic, in order to optimize cooperation and coordination in areas of shared activity.

The Plan of Action of the Second Summit of the Americas refers to the pursuit of campaigns to increase social awareness through community participation and emphasizes the valuable contributions of civil society in drug abuse prevention, treatment, rehabilitation, and the social reintegration of drug addicts. And the Anti-Drug Strategy in the Hemisphere includes promoting citizen participation and stresses that the effectiveness of prevention programs depends upon participation by, and close cooperation, consultation, and ties with, the community.

Inter-American Telecommunication Commission (CITEL)

The private sector plays an active role in CITEL’s work. It initiates programs, presides over committees, contributes to the work program, participates in its own right, and has the same rights as member countries, except the right to vote. It is fully integrated into the work program of the permanent consultative committees and is pivotal to CITEL’s overall success.

Department of Legal Cooperation and Information

The Department of Legal Cooperation and Information has strengthened mechanisms for participation, thereby facilitating involvement by various groups of civil society. The contributions they have made to the Organization and, in particular, to this Department have been very valuable. By inviting such groups to discuss legally significant issues, the Department has learned more about subjects such as corruption, arbitration, and the bearing of arms, and has thus gained the necessary competence to implement specific measures. This is clearly exemplified by the Inter-American Convention against Corruption and the Symposium on Enhancing Probity in the Hemisphere.

Office of Summit Follow-up

The Office of Summit Follow-up is responsible for coordinating the topic "civil society" within the General Secretariat. In carrying out that function, the Office collects and organizes information on the activities of the various OAS areas with nongovernmental bodies; updates information on and remains generally abreast of all activities the Organization is carrying out with civil society; supports the coordinator of the topic "civil society" for the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG); and promotes and helps to create opportunities for reflection, the exchange of experiences, and actions aimed at establishing an agenda for cooperation among civil society, governments, international organizations and the OAS, in pursuance of the Summit mandates.

Office of Cultural Affairs

Under the Inter-American Program of Culture, the OAS is to promote participation by civil society in the protection and preservation of the cultural heritage of the Americas. The Executive Order creating the Office of Cultural Affairs underscores the commitment to work closely with civil society organizations. It does so by specifying issues concerning the scheduling and execution of programs, projects, and activities, and the search for alternate sources of financing, such as national and multinational corporations and private foundations.

Office of Science and Technology

Under the Inter-American Program for Cooperation in Environmental Technologies in Key Sectors of Industry, the Office of Science and Technology (OST) conducted a series of panel discussions in various countries of the Hemisphere, in which there was participation by civil society. The program deals with the challenges faced by small- and medium-sized businesses in the Hemisphere in adopting clean, environmentally sound technologies that are effective from an economic and environmental standpoint.

One of the outstanding outcomes in this connection is the recognition that industrial associations are catalysts in the promotion and dissemination of cleaner technologies in the various industries and productive sectors of the countries in the region. The involvement of CSOs in the effort to participate in financing such activities may also be underscored. These activities provide civil society in the member states with the opportunity to share information and search for solutions to common problems.

Within this context, the industrial associations have taken on the role of official negotiators within the various industrial sectors, as well as in the public sector. In addition there is clear evidence that the region has an abundance of useful information and experience that can be transferred to civil society.

The Metrology, Standardization, Accreditation, and Quality Project is being developed in the 34 countries of the OAS, with the participation of institutions from the public and private sectors. This project can help establish more successful programs to support industry in collaboration with business associations and organizations of civil society. The dissemination and exchange of experiences among the participating entities have helped shape new government policies benefiting the consumer.

Trade Unit

The principal function of the Trade Unit is to support negotiations for a free trade agreement in the Americas--Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)--by 2005. The FTAA negotiating structure includes a committee of government representatives on the participation of civil society. In the Ministerial Declaration of San José of March 19, 1998, the trade ministers reaffirmed their commitment to transparency in the negotiation process in order to facilitate the constructive involvement of the various sectors of society. They also recognized the interests and concerns expressed by those sectors with regard to the FTAA. Further, the ministers acknowledged that the business sector and the other productive sectors, labor, environmental groups, and think tanks had been particularly active in the area of free trade. To that end, the ministers established a committee of government representatives, open to all member countries. The Committee will receive information, analyze it, and present a series of opinions for consideration by the ministers.

Pursuant to this mandate, the Committee of Government Representatives on the Participation of Civil Society set a deadline of March 31, 1999, for receiving comments on the FTAA. The Trade Unit, as part of the Tripartite Committee formed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), and the OAS, is supporting the Committee by compiling these comments. At the request of the member states, the Committee will provide an analysis of the reports submitted by civil society.

In addition to supporting the topic "civil society" within the FTAA negotiating process, the Trade Unit is providing reports on the FTAA to think tanks, business groups, and other bodies.

Unit for Social Development and Education

The Unit for Social Development and Education maintains wide-ranging relations in the area of cooperation and exchange with various civil society organizations in the Hemisphere, including universities, research and development centers, scientific and professional associations, and other nongovernmental institutions in education, labor, and social development. The relationship between the Unit for Social Development and Education and organized civil society responds to the ongoing demand for information and exchange from nongovernmental organizations and other civil society entities. A natural corollary of the relationship has been the development of vast professional and institutional networks with the formal and informal participation of national and international experts in education, labor, and social development in the Americas.

Pursuant to the recent decisions of the Organization's deliberative bodies, the Unit for Social Development and Education has strengthened its ties with civil society organizations in the Hemisphere. The Unit has taken special account of the mandates in this area found in the Inter-American Program to Combat Poverty and Discrimination, the Inter-American Program of Education, and the Plan of Action of the XI Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor. In the three programs--education, labor, and overcoming poverty--the member states have emphasized the importance of a multifaceted approach to promoting the participation of civil society and the private sector.

There are many ways in which civil society organizations interact with the Unit for Social Development and Education. In some cases, their relationship is based on cooperation agreements signed between the General Secretariat and nongovernmental organizations. In other cases, the Unit participates in events organized by civil society organizations. When appropriate, the Unit invites representatives of civil society organizations to participate in activities organized by the General Secretariat. Lastly, the Unit supports and sponsors scientific and academic events organized by civil society organizations within the sphere of OAS objectives and programs.

Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment

Given the nature of its work, the Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment maintains wide-ranging relations with civil society organizations. The number of organizations with which the Unit is involved has increased since the Summit of the Americas on Sustainable Development, held in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, in 1996. The Summit underscored the importance of the role played by these organizations in the area of sustainable development.

Inter-American Strategy for Public Participation

As part of its efforts to gather information on existing public participation practices, the Inter-American Strategy for Public Participation (ISP) has always sought and made use of significant information on civil society. In pilot cases, where assumptions about the marginal value of public participation are assessed, the project contracted civil society organizations to serve as joint executors of pilot activities.

After producing the first draft of the ISP Structure, a document intended to channel the lessons learned about public participation during the execution of the ISP project by means of a series of recommendations and technical advice, for governments and civil society, the Unit for Sustainable Development and Environment distributed the document to more than 300 contacts in civil society and government and asked for comments on the document's structure and content. The document and the request for comments were also included on the ISPNET page on the Internet. After receipt of the comments and recommendations of the Project Advisory Committee (PAC), a second draft of recommendations and technical suggestions is being prepared.

Intersectoral Tourism Unit

It should be noted that the Intersectoral Tourism Unit is working with trade associations in the implementation of various technical cooperation projects intended to provide support to the many tourism development projects in the Hemisphere. The Unit is cosponsoring a series of educational seminars and/or tourism training forums to respond to the challenges that tourism, hotel, and the food services businesses will face in the 21st century. Likewise, the Unit has been developing an Internet-based mechanism to provide tourism information and a reservation service for accommodations, excursions, and travel packages in the Americas.

Unit for the Promotion of Democracy

The Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD) considers that civil society organizations, in their diverse forms and with their various mechanisms for interaction with democratic institutions, have a basic part to play in the promotion and consolidation of institutions, values, and democratic practices. Consequently, the UPD seeks to incorporate the views of civil society into its work program and to strengthen the capacity of both democratic institutions and civil society to cooperate constructively. Following the recommendations of the Santiago Summit, the UPD has stepped up efforts to incorporate elements and actors of civil society into its programs.

The UPD works formally and informally with a range of civil society organizations. Its collaboration with civil society organizations has expanded over time. UPD personnel and consultants frequently meet informally with representatives of civil society to exchange ideas and experiences. In formal terms, many UPD projects and programs include civil society organizations as counterparts, contributors, or beneficiaries. The special missions in Nicaragua (CIAV), Haiti (MICIVH), Suriname, and the program to support the peace process in Guatemala have been given a clear focus and strong impetus by civil society.

In their electoral observation work, the UPD has direct daily contact with various organizations and representatives of civil society, such as political parties, chambers of commerce, church groups, civic groups, and local observer groups, such as Justice and Peace in Panama, Transparency in Peru, Queremos Elegir in Venezuela, and others. The area of electoral technical assistance has arranged for civic and educational training campaigns in Guatemala, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.

The UPD Information and Dialogue Group prepares the Unit's news bulletin and Internet page and manages the Database of the Americas together with the School of Latin American Studies of Georgetown University. The Canadian Foundation for the Americas and the State Reform Studies Center (CERES) of the Getulio Vargas Foundation of Brazil are formally associated with the Database. The Information and Dialogue Group also manages the Democratic Forum seminar series, which covers topics on democratic development. The panelists and participants are diplomats, politicians, academics, journalists, and representatives of civil society.

The Special Programs, like electoral observation missions and special post-conflict and democratic transition projects, represent the broadest possible collaboration of civil society in any UPD program. In general these activities involve substantial and comprehensive efforts, significant commitments of human resources, and a considerable presence in the field. They include the Cooperation Program in Nicaragua, the program to support the peace process in Guatemala, especially the "Culture of Dialogue in Guatemala: Program for the Development of Resources for Peacebuilding (PROPAZ)," which works with indigenous civil society groups like COMAGUA, the International Civilian Mission in Haiti, and the Special Mission in Suriname.

Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM)

In recent years, the Inter-American Commission of Women has worked with civil society organizations to promote its objectives and exchange experiences and information. In November 1998, in recognition of the valuable contributions made by these organizations to women’s issues in the Hemisphere and the need to strengthen the CIM’s relationship with them, the Twenty-ninth Assembly of Delegations adopted resolution CIM/RES. 208 (XXIX-O/98), "The Inter-American Commission of Women and Civil Society," which instructed the Executive Committee to maintain a registry of nongovernmental organizations devoted to women's issues and to examine the possibility of establishing a system for communication and ongoing mutual assistance with such organizations. Pursuant to that mandate, in the next two years the CIM will establish closer, more formal ties with civil society organizations working in their sphere of interest.

Executive Secretariat for Integral Development

The Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) maintains two types of relationships with civil society organizations. These are: (1) participation of civil society organizations in technical cooperation projects and programs; and (2) institutional relations between the Executive Secretariat and civil society organizations.

1. Participation of civil society organizations in technical cooperation projects and programs

Civil society organizations participate in technical cooperation projects funded principally through contributions of member states to the CIDI Multilateral Fund (FEMCIDI) and involve civil society organizations from the beneficiary country in their implementation. The relationship between the civil society organizations and the OAS General Secretariat is governed by an execution agreement.

Many activities funded by FEMCIDI include multilateral projects coordinated by units and specialized offices of the Secretariat. Civil society organizations are involved in some of these projects either through project management or as a result of an execution agreement or performance contract with the Secretariat.

Another type of indirect, intermittent relationship with public sector entities covers Specific Funds for Horizontal Cooperation administered by SEDI on behalf of some member states. Activities in the countries providing funds sometimes include professional associations/ties or assistance from university professors and students, employees of financial institutions or the business sector of countries seeking such assistance for training courses.

2. Institutional relations between the Secretariat and civil society organizations

More recently, the relations being developed between the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development and a number of civil society organizations that utilize funding from a Specific Fund provided by the United States Government to promote new, more ongoing partnership relationships in support of the CIDI mandate. Civil society organizations with which SEDI would seek to develop relations include businesses, academic institutions, foundations establishing fellowships, think tanks, policy research groups, advocacy groups and nongovernmental organizations.

Until now, the main instrument established within the OAS to promote these relations is The Trust for the Americas, a foundation that distributes human and financial resources of enterprises, government, charities, and other non-profit organizations. Both for-profit and non-profit organizations are represented on its board of directors. 

APPENDIX

OAS DOCUMENTS ON CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN OAS ACTIVITIES

April 1971 - June 1999 (in chronological order)