The Diplomat
The Organization of Ibero-American States for Education, Science and Culture (OEI) has presented its Ibero-American Program for Human Rights, Democracy and Equality, an initiative to support the States of the region “in the consolidation of more democratic, just and cohesive societies, as well as tolerant and socially inclusive.”
The Ibero-American Program for Human Rights, Democracy and Equality “is a commitment by the OEI to consolidate the region as a democratic reference point in which values such as social justice, the rule of law and gender equality are promoted, as well as the capacity to adapt and respond to the needs of the population in a changing world,” the organization informed in a press release. “This is particularly relevant in a region like Ibero-America, where, after the impact of the pandemic, there has been widespread disenchantment with a democratic system that is perceived as favoring the elites and to the detriment of solidarity,” it added.
The program will promote different initiatives such as training and technical assistance aimed especially at the public sector on issues such as the design, formulation and implementation of public policies in the program’s areas of action, while promoting knowledge management and research skills and the dissemination of good practices.
The presentation of the program took place last Monday at the Casa de América in Madrid and was attended by the secretary general of the OEI, Mariano Jabonero, and the State Secretary for External and Global Affairs Ángeles Moreno Bau, in addition to the members of its committee of experts: Anielle Franco, Minister of Racial Equality of Brazil; Yasna Provoste, Senator of Chile, Yago Pico de Coaña, Spanish diplomat; Gerardo Munck, Professor of Political Science at the University of Southern California; Olinda Salguero, President of Fundación Esquipulas para la Paz, Democracia, Desarrollo e Integración of Guatemala; and Daniel Zovatto, Argentine academic.
During his speech, Mariano Jabonero explained that this program addresses “issues that have always been on our educational and cultural agenda, but now with a focus on direct participation and community involvement towards a new social contract for the region, which is undergoing a complete change of stage.” “Our audiences will be especially women and girls in their ethnic, social or racial diversity, as well as young people, public institutions and cooperation networks, since at the IEO we always work in alliances,” he added.
For her part, Ángeles Moreno praised the launch of this program which, in her words, is “a novel dimension of work aimed at improving peaceful and democratic coexistence in Ibero-America.” “The principles it deals with are constant and mark Spain’s foreign policy; we are delighted to be able to work along these lines with the OEI,” she continued.
For her part, Anielle Franco emphasized the under-representation of black women in power and decision-making spaces, since “they occupy few political positions, being represented more in issues of violence.” “The great challenge is to achieve a racial democracy with gender equality and guaranteed rights,” she said. The event was closed by Irune Aguirrezabal, director of the program, who pointed out that democracy is synonymous with coexistence, which is a challenge “because there are many gaps, some old, others new and articulated in our daily lives and which affect the most vulnerable”.
