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june 2010 - 40th general assembly of the oas in lima (peru)

Representatives from the 33 countries comprising the Organization of American States (OAS) convened in Lima, Peru on June 6-8 to discuss "Peace, Security and Cooperation in the Americas". Mr. Davide Brundu and Mr. Jordi Alos represented Dianova, along with members of other NGOs representing civil society.

The top issues on the agenda of the assembly included the readmission of Honduras into the hemispheric body and Arizona's tough new immigration bill, SB 1070, which numerous Latin and North American leaders have condemned. Also high on the agenda were growing concerns throughout the region about large-scale arms acquisitions by some countries, which many fear could lead to an unintended arms race, and eventual armed conflict.

The NGO's, representing civil society, contributed to the conference through fruitful dialogues with the heads of OAS delegations and with the Secretary General of the organization, Mr José Miguel Insulza. Later these discussions led to the formal presentation of NGO civil society recommendations to the OAS member states.

These recommendations were the result of prior discussions on the following themes: the strengthening of human rights and democracy and the promoting of cooperative development among the various OAS countries. Among the other topics addressed by the NGO's were the violation of human rights in Venezuela, forced displacement in Columbia, as well as the discrimination against the black community in that country, disabled peoples and the  discrimination against homosexuals throughout the hemisphere.

During the closing ceremony of the 40th OAS General Assembly, member states of the Organization of American States adopted the Lima Declaration, thus strengthening their commitment to hemispheric peace, security and cooperation, as the primary mechanisms for confronting traditional and new threats that affect the region.

Photos

1. Machu Pichu, the well-known Inca ruins site, was chosen as the symbol of the event
2. Mr. Davide Brundu (right) President of Dianova in Chile, next to Mrs Irene Klnger, Director of the Department of International Affairs at the Organization of American States (OAS) 
   
3. M. Jordi Alos, Director of Dianova in Uruguay, with Her Excellency María del Luján Flores, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Uruguay at the OAS.

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