Western Hemisphere education ministers and other senior officials stressed the importance of education in promoting democracy during the April 12 opening of a two-day meeting at the Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters in Washington.

In an April 12 press release, the OAS noted that the convened officials explored formal and non-formal education processes. The OAS also argued that references to democratic principles must be incorporated into educational curricula.

Citing previous declarations by the hemisphere's education ministers, Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Education Hazel Manning advocated efforts to "incorporate principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter into our educational programs, in accordance with the laws of each country, for ensuring the continuance of democratic values," according to the OAS.

ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES
Washington, D.C.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 12, 2004

OAS Meeting Renews Commitment to Promoting Democracy Through Education

Education ministers and other senior officials and experts opened an important hemispheric meeting at Organization of American States (OAS) headquarters on Monday morning, stressing education as a vital tool to promote democracy and development in the Americas. Exploring formal and non-formal education processes, they argued that references to democratic principles must be incorporated into educational curricula.

Organized in conjunction with the OAS Unit for the Promotion of Democracy (UPD) and the Unit for Social Development and Education, the two-day Permanent Council meeting also brings together members of the Inter-American Committee on Education and civil society groups involved in promoting democracy through educational programs.

Trinidad and Tobago's Minister of Education, Senator Hazel Manning, who is also First Vice Chair of the Inter-American Committee on Education, emphasized in her opening remarks that "a democratic society is strong when the environment facilitates and sustains healthy relationships through ongoing dialogue based on mutual respect and respect for human rights." She said such values promote a culture of peace in individuals and in their families, schools, societies, countries and the world at large.

Manning recalled declarations by the hemisphere's education ministers, urging efforts to "incorporate principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter into our educational programs, in accordance with the laws of each country, for ensuring the continuance of democratic values."

Noting such challenges as technological change, social unrest, the impact of the economics of globalization, the impending Caribbean Single Market and Economy, the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), and inadequate political will, she insisted that all citizens must become involved "in making decisions about educational delivery and future directions for educational management and renewal."

For his part, Permanent Council Chairman Miguel Ruiz-Cabañas, Mexico's Ambassador to the OAS, underlined the need to review hemispheric initiatives relating to formal and non-formal education in promoting a democratic culture, and observed that "knowledge of best practices in this area is essential to our cooperation."

The Permanent Council Chairman pointed to the urgent need to improve educational processes based on each country's laws and specific circumstances, and urged the governments to "strengthen the relevant mechanisms for long-term cooperation among our countries."

Meanwhile, in welcoming the delegates, OAS Assistant Secretary General Luigi Einaudi outlined the General Secretariat's initiatives in education and democracy. Among them, he listed training courses for young leaders under the UPD and the Social Development and Education Unit, and programs to help education ministries develop curricula and methodologies to advance teaching and democratic values.

"An equal opportunity for education and through education is perhaps the single most important mechanism for social mobility, integration, overcoming poverty and promoting social change," Einaudi argued. Noting the Inter-American Democratic Charter's emphasis on the right and responsibility of citizens to participate in decisions on their own development, he added: "Clearly, without education men and women would remain invisible and powerless to exercise that right."

Among others, the Education Ministers of Venezuela and El Salvador, along with Vice-Ministers of Education of Mexico, Colombia and Ecuador, are participating in the meeting that has been convened pursuant to a General Assembly mandate relating to hemispheric commitments to emphasize non-violence and a culture of peace.

The agenda includes modules exploring the status of formal and non-formal education in OAS member states, how to more effectively use educational processes to promote a democratic culture, and one entitled "Towards a Continental Program of Peace, Human Rights and Democratic Values." Concrete proposals will also emerge out of working groups put together to discuss guidelines for the program in formal education, with an emphasis on basic education.