STRATEGY FOR STRENGTHENING CIVIL SOCIETY PARTICIPATION IN THE ACTIVITIES OF THE OAS

Department of International AffairsSecretariat for External Relations

January 22, 2010

1. Executive Summary

2. Objectives of civil society participation in OAS activities

3. Background

4. Policy basis of CSO participation in OAS activities, set forth in various mandates

5. Principles that will guide civil society participation at the OAS

6. Actors and requirements considered in the strategya. Actors

b. Requirements for meaningful CSO participation

CONTENTS

7. Elements of the Strategy

a. Challenges to be addressed by the Strategy

b. Registry of Civil Society Organizations in the OAS

c. Level and scope of participation

d. Criteria for inviting CSOs to participate in OAS activities

e. Proactive delivery of information

f. Consultation

g. Broad dissemination of the Strategy

CONTENTS

PROCESS OF DEVELOPMENT OF THE STRATEGY

Contract a consultant / Terms of Reference Analysis of OAS documents related to civil society participation

Interviews with key actors: 11 Member States 6 OAS Directors 9 CSO Representatives

Consultation about the draft strategy with key actors Analysis and discussion about the results of the process Draft Strategy disseminated to the CISC in May 2009

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

CIVIL SOCIETY STRATEGY

Background Study of OAS documents

Views and recommendations

from Member State representatives and

OAS staffViews and

recommendations from CSOs

OBJETIVES OF THE STRATEGY

Contribute to strengthening democracy

Create spaces for substantive, timely, and informed dialogue among representatives of governments and CSOs

Foster cooperation by CSOs, allowing them to make contributions and share expertise on matters of public interest

POLICY BASIS AND GUIDING PRINCIPLES

POLICY BASIS

OAS Resolutions

Articles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter

Declarations and Plans of Action of the Summits Process

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

TransparencyAccess to information

Equity (equal opportunity) Non-exclusion

Recognition of and respect for diversity,

receptivity, and voluntary participation

1971: GA defines relationship with civil society.

1994: Study begins on the granting of specific status to nongovernmental organizations at the OAS.

1997: Resolution CP/RES. 704 (1129/97) “Status of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in the OAS”. Preparation of guidlines that include:• Selection criteria with regard to NGO participation in projects and activities• Project financing opportunities• Document dissemination to CSOs

1999: In the GA in Guatemala, Resolution AG/RES. 1661 (XXIX-O/99) “The Organization of American States and Civil Society” approves:• The establishment of a Committee on Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities

within the Permanent Council (PC);• Preparation of a Register of NGOs;• Resolution CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) “Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society

Organizations in OAS Activities,” which establishes a register of civil society organizations.

POLICY BASIS: RESOLUTIONS

2001: In the GA in Costa Rica, Resolution AG/RES. 1834 (XXXI-O/01) “The Organization of American States and Civil Society,” instructs the Permanent Council:

• To develop strategies to increase civil society participation at the OAS. • Mandates contained in the Plan of Action of the Summit of the Americas held in

Quebec, Canada.

2002: In the Bargados GA, Resolution AG/RES. 1852 (XXXII-O/02) “Increasing and Strengthening Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities,” calls for:

• Analyzing the feasibility of establishing a specific voluntary fund to support the particiaption of civil society organizations in OAS activities.

2003: Resolution AG/RES. 1915 (XXXIII-O/03) “Increasing and Strengthing Civil Society Participation in OAS Activities” resolves:

• To include on the draft schedule for regular sessions of the OAS General Assembly, before the inaugural session, as a regular activity, the informal dialogue that has been taking place thus far between heads of delegation and representatives of CSOs.

• The creation of a specific fund for voluntary contributions to support the participation of CSOs in OAS activities.

POLICY BASIS: RESOLUTIONS

2008: Resolution AG/RES. 2395 (XXXVIII-O/08) “Increasing and Strengthening Civil Society Participation in Activities of the OAS and in the Summits of the Americas Process,” resolves:

•To request the General Secretariat to develop a strategy for a coordinated approach to encourage civil society participation in OAS activities, for consideration by Member States.

CP/CISC-371/08 “Draft Work Plan of the CISC 2008-2009 (Presented by the Chair)•The Department of International Affairs of the SER, acting as Technical Secretariat of the CISC, presents a proposed Committee work plan for the 2008-2009 term, which includes actions, the assignment of responsibilities, and timeframes for implementing the mandate set forth in AG/RES. 2395 (XXXVIII-O/08), which, in turn, incorporates the history of mandates issues in this area.•Prparation of a Strategy for CSO Participation in OAS Activities by the Department of International Affairs of the SER of the OAS, in pursuit of the mandate given in AG/RES. 2395 (XXXVIII-O/08).

POLICY BASIS: RESOLUTIONS

According to the Inter-American Democratic Charter, democracy is the cornerstone of the OAS, a necessary condition for the countries’ participation, and the basis of all its activities. Article 1: “The peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it.”

Articles 3 and 4 of the Inter-American Democratic Charter refer to the “essential elements” of representative democracy, which include respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms; the exercise of power in accordance with the rule of law; the pluralistic system of political parties; the separation of powers and independence of the branches of government; transparency, probity, and responsible public administration on the part of governments; respect for social rights; and freedom of expression and citizen participation.

Article 6 provides that “It is the right and responsibility of all citizens to participate in decisions relating to their own development. This is also a necessary condition for the full and effective exercise of democracy. Promoting and fostering diverse forms of participation strengthens democracy.”

Article 26 states that “the OAS will consult and cooperate on an ongoing basis with member states and take into account the contributions of civil society organizations working in those fields.”

POLICY BASIS

ARTICLES OF THE INTER-AMERICAN DEMOCRATIC CHARTER

The Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain: “We commit to continue encouraging the participation of our peoples, through the engagement of our citizens, communities and civil society in the design and execution of development policies and programmes, by providing technical and financial assistance, as appropriate, and in accordance with national legislation to strengthen and build their capacity to participate more fully in the inter-American system.”.

The Declaration of Mar del Plata, of the Fourth Summit of the Americas in November 2005, indicates: “Increased participation by citizens, communities, and civil society will contribute to ensuring that the benefits of democracy are shared by society as a whole.”

The Declaration of Nuevo Leon: “We recognize the role of civil society and its contribution to sound public administration and we reaffirm the importance of continuing to forge new partnerships that will enable constructive ties to be built between governments, nongovernmental organizations, international organizations, and the diverse sectors of civil society to work in favor of development and democracy.”

POLICY BASIS

DECLARATION OF COMMITMENT OF PORT OF SPAIN (V SUMMIT), DECLARATION OF MAR DEL PLATA (IV SUMMIT) AND THE DECLARATION OF NUEVO LEON (SPECIAL SUMMIT)

ACTORS AND REQUIREMENTS OF THE STRATEGY

ACTORS

CONCEPT CSO: CP/RES. 759 (1217/99)

A Civil society organization is any national or international institution, organization, or entity made up of natural or juridical persons of a

nongovernmental nature, that carries out activities in areas of work relevant to the functions of the OAS, that do not contradict its principles and norms, and that is legally recognized and has

transparent administrative practices.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATION CP/RES. 759 (1217/99) “Guidelines for the Participation of Civil Society Organizationsin OAS activities”

To register in the OAS, the CSO must:

Demonstrate that its activities do not contradict the principles of the OAS

Have a recognized legal standing and transparent administrative practices

Have a legal representative

Have an institutional structure that includes appropriate mechanisms for holding its officers accountable

Have an established headquarters and conduct its principal activities in one of the OAS Member States

Present a report of its sources of financing

Be independent from the government

Not have its headquarters or conduct their principal activities in any territory over which there exists a sovereignty dispute

ELEMENTS OF THE STRATEGY: CHALLENGES

Democratization of access to OAS activities

Delivery of relevant, meaningful and timely information for CSO participation

Establishing clear, transparent procedures to facilite access and cooperation with OAS bodies

Clarifying the apprehensions of Member Statesregarding CSO representation

Eliminate restriction by governments to the participation of CSOs registered in the OAS

ELEMENTS OF THE STRATEGY: Registry of CSOs in the OAS

Principal mechanism for giving civil society access to participate in OAS activities.

Priority will be given to CSOs that meet the following criteria:

Experience: CSOs with at least five years of experience and demonstrated experience in their areas of activity

Geographic representation and scope: CSOs that perform their work in multiple countries of the Hemisphere, regional networks, subregional and national networks, and individual organizations

The OAS grants the CSOs consultative status that allows them to participate in OAS activities.

The OAS commits to:

Proactive and timely delivery of information Effectively consider the contributions, critiques and proposals put

forth by CSOs Delivery of period reports on the work carried out, the

recommendations received, and the decisions taken in relation to civil society contributions

ELEMENTS: LEVEL AND SCOPE OF PARTICIPATION

ELEMENTS: LEVEL AND SCOPE OF PARTICIPATION

GAMinisterials

PCCAJPCISCCHS

ELEMENTOS: CRITERIA FOR INVITING CSOs TO PARTICIPATE IN OAS ACTIVITIES

Prior entry in the Registry

Relevance

Breadth or scope (regional and subregional networks, thematic areas)

Registry of Civil Society Organizations within the Organization of American States (OAS)

The following is a register of all civil society organizations approved by the Permanent Council for participation in OAS activities, in compliance with Article 7 of Resolution CP/RES. 759.

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M|N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z| See All

ELEMENTS: PROACTIVE DELIVERY OF INFORMATION

General information on the Web

Individualized information to CSOs

ELEMENTS: CONSULTATION

A clear recognized approach that allows for substantive dialogue

Study of contributions by participatns, decision-making, and preparation of the report

Distribution of reports on the outcome

ELEMENTS: BROAD DISSEMINATION OF THE STRATEGY

ESTRATGIA DE LA SOCIEDAD

CIVIL

PREPARED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRSSECRETARIAT FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

http://www.civil-society.oas.org/civilsociety@oas.org