Working Group to Prepare for the Second Meeting of Ministers

Responsible for Public Security in the Americas

October 6, 2009

Lenore Yaffee García, Director, Department of Education and Culture, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development

“The importance of including the topic of prevention … together with structuring of the process of exchange of information and experience in the area.” – Report from the Preparatory Meeting MISPA II, Uruguay

• The role of education and culture in prevention• The importance of working in an intersectoral fashion• Citizen participation, especially of youth• There are expriences from member states and within the

Inter-American framework that are worth sharing

“Towards a culture of non-violence: the role of arts and culture”

• Message of the CIC Authorities regarding the topic of the 39th General Assembly: “Towards a culture of non-violence”

• 4 experiences, one per sub-region

• Governmental and civil society programs

• Developed with the “Ignite the Americas 2009” network

Educational opportunities have increased but are still insufficient.

• Secondary education (2007): on average 70.8% of the population had access to secondary education; however ≤ 60% of the population between 20 and 24 years old had completed this education level (2007 data)

• Low quality education: nearly half of third graders in LA performed at the lowest levels on the math test and 1/3 performed at the lowest levels in the reading test (SERCE UNESCO study)

• There is strong evidence that demonstrates the positive impact that education has on the reduction of crime rates.

“Commitment to Public Security in the Americas” – 3 common elements

I. Importance of prevention• Investment in early childhood education • Perry Preschool longitudinal study• Nobel Economist James Heckman:

1

US$15,000 p/person

2

Results: society and the individual reaped US$195,000 (US$171,000 deriving from less crime)

“Commitment to Public Security in the Americas” – 3 common elements – I. Importance of prevention

•Programs in education and culture in member states: •Escuelas libres – Dominican Republic (State Secretariat of Culture)•OAS (FEMCIDI, Cultural Affairs) – OAS Orchestra Program for Youth at Risk in the Caribbean (based on the Venezuelan Children and Youth Orchestra System)

• Programs within the Inter-American framework (CIE y CIC):•Program on Education for Democratic Values and Practices

-Horizontal Cooperation Fund – Technical missions -Professional development – Courses for educators, “the democratic classroom”

•Hemispheric Commitment to Early Childhood Education

“Commitment to Public Security in the Americas” – 3 common elements – II. Holistic approach and inter-institutional coordination •Joint CIE – CIC project: “The role of arts and communications media in the promoting democratic values and practices in children and youth”

•Planning meeting (November 11, 2009)•Invitation for more inter-sectoral coordination within the Inter-American framework

•Inter-American Culture Information Network•Communications strategy. Collaboration with UNHABITAT and Harvard University – the role of arts in the prevention of urban youth violence; portfolio on promising practices; horizontal cooperation fund.

“Commitment to Public Security in the Americas” – 3 common elements – III. Citizen, community and youth participation