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II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean Venue: Permanent Secretariat of SELA Torre Europa, 5th floor, Caracas, Bolivarian Republic Venezuela
Caracas, 18 July 2008
Background | Objectives | Documents Provisional Agenda | Base document | Sponsors | Date and Venue Hotels | Official Foreign Exchange Rate Languages | Transport | Migration Information Registration | Registration Form | Deadline | Contacts | Photo Gallery
In the year 2007, SELA held the First Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean, to deal with this significant area of the process of integration. On that occasion, the state of this problem had been examined with the Member States, in order to discover relevant limitations and necessities.
With regard to the conclusions of the above-mentioned regional meeting in Latin America and the Caribbean, multiple interpretations coexist on the meaning of development, integration, social dimension of integration; and social inclusion. The Member States recommended SELA to find common points so as to contribute towards the advancement of regional unity in the midst of the variety which characterizes it.
From the revision carried out, it has been decided that it is necessary to achieve social dimension and other ambits of integration process. This requires sustained actions to be carried out jointly in the medium- and long-term, among the countries, social organizations existing in the region and subregional integration organizations.
The Permanent Secretariat of SELA is aware that to become involved in the causes of accumulated social backwardness and at the same time, evident limitations in efforts of integration, would demand regional actions and commitments of all sectors from the national and regional areas.
SELA’s challenge consists of encompassing different perspectives on social aspects for consensus; education, health, housing and employment. Likewise, to facilitate the exchange of experiences among countries and integration schemes in the region, and at the same time, to assist with the design and application of initiatives with a regional scope, which could be used as tools for advancing in terms of social development.
With the purpose of examining these social areas: education, health, housing and employment, the II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean will take place in Caracas, with the participation of representatives from Member States, representatives from different subregional integration organizations and regional delegates of specialized entities working on these topics.
In this regard, the meeting will take due account of the conclusions and recommendations emanating from the Seminar on Regional Consultation on this issue, to be held on 16 and 17 July 2008 with the participation of social organizations of the region.
As set out in Project 1.2 “Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean” the Permanent Secretariat would carry out a study with some viable initiatives to deal with social dimension in Latin America and the Caribbean. In this connection, it is hoped to proceed towards the possible preparation of a regional agenda by consensus on the topic, particularly in the areas of health, education, housing and employment.
The Permanent
Secretariat of SELA would submit for consideration the initial document
previously forwarded to participants and published in:
The Member States of SELA, international organizations and participating subregional schemes of integration, could also make written contributions to improve on deliberations in the Seminar.
It will be possible to have access to all materials and documents presented, as well as the results from this Regional Seminar, by downloading the SELA portal.
The Permanent Secretariat of SELA will prepare a final report containing the conclusions and recommendations with a view to setting up a Regional Programme, within the framework of SELA, giving priority treatment to social dimension of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Documentation
Social dimension of integration: Guidelines for a Plan of
Action on Health, SP/SRC-DSIALC/DT 1-08
Dimensión social de la integración: Lineamientos para un Plan de Acción en
salud,
Regional Social Policy
Presentación de las Conclusiones y Recomendaciones del Seminario Regional de
Consulta
del SELA
Algunas ideas sobre desarrollo y dimensión
social de la integración
La integración social centroamericana
Social Integration in the Caribbean Community Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM) SP/RRDSIALC/Di 7-08
Dimensiones sociales definidas por Chile como prioritarias para ser
desarrolladas en la UNASUR
ALBA y su contribución a la dimensión social de la integración Sabrina Guire, Coordinadora del ALBA SP/RRDSIALC/Di N° 9-08
Co-sponsors
Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)
The II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean will take place in the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA), in Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Address: Avenida Francisco de Miranda, Torre Europa, Fifth Floor, Campo Alegre, Caracas, Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Web: http://www.sela.org
With regard to hotel accommodation in Caracas, the Permanent Secretariat of SELA would be grateful if each participant chooses the hotel of his/her preference. In this connection, a list of recommended hotels for your security and proximity to SELA’s headquarters is provided: (List of Hotels). Please contact Mrs. Cora Romero, Travel and Arrangements Official of SELA (Telephones: (58-212) 9557111 and 9557124; Faxes: (58-212) 9516901 and 9515292; e-mail: cromero@sela.org) for hotel reservations arrangements.
Official Foreign Exchange Rate
The currency redenomination process was initiated from 1 January 2008. Now, all amounts presented are expressed in “Bolívares Fuertes” or “Strong Bolivars” (Bs.F).
The currency control regime in Venezuela came into force from the year 2003. (See http://www.cadivi.gob.ve/). The official exchange rate is Bs.F. 2.15 per US$ 1.00 (American dollar). The Official Gazette for the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 38.272 states that as of 14 October 2005 the “Law Against Illegal Currency Exchange”, came into force.
The official languages of this II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean, will be Spanish and English. There will be simultaneous interpretation.
For transport from the Airport from the International “Simón Bolívar” Airport in Maiquetía to Caracas, there is an authorized taxi service at the exit of the airport terminal. Authorized cabs can be easily identified since their colours are black with yellow logotypes printed on the doors.
This authorized taxi service has a cost of approximately Bs.F. 120.00 per travel (equivalent to about US$ 56.00, according to the official exchange rate of Bs.F 2.15 per US$), payable in national currency (Strong Bolivars).
For your own security, the coordinators of the II Regional Seminar recommend you to EXCLUSIVELY use this taxi service. It is possible, upon request, to provide you support in order to reserve in advance such taxi service from the airport.
Migration Information for Entering Venezuela
Except for special cases, currently, entry into the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela of tourists of almost all nationalities is allowed. Nevertheless, visas are required for some of them.
For security purposes, it is recommended that information on migration should be consulted previously by contacting the Embassies and / or Consulates of Venezuela in the countries of origin or downloading the Web site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mre.gob.ve/metadot/index.pl?id=2871;isa=Category;op=show
In case you need help from the Permanent Secretariat with migration arrangements, please contact Mrs. Cora Romero, Travel and Arrangements Official of SELA (Telephones: (58-212) 9557111 and 9557124; Faxes: (58-212) 9516901 and 9515292; e-mail: cromero@sela.org
Registration of participants and handing out of badges will be on Friday, 18 July 2008 8:30 am in the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat, Fifth floor, Torre Europa, Caracas.
Convocation of this II Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean – as an intergovernmental meeting - is exclusively addressed to delegates of Member States, representatives of integration groups (Andean Community, SICA, CARICOM, MERCOSUR, UNASUR as well as ALBA), and specialized international organizations, with a regional scope, which have been contacted in advance. The coordinators of this II Regional Seminar reserve the right to refuse admission. The event is not open to the general public.
To download the form, click here
Deadline for the reception of registration forms and materials for reproduction is Wednesday 16 July 2008.
Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)
Coordination by the Permanent Secretariat of SELA: Antonio Romero, Director of Relations for Integration and Cooperation; Carmen Gabriela Menéndez, Coordinator of Relations with Member States; Rosario Luna, Secretary Telephones: 58-212-9557111 / 9557134 /9557121; Fax: 58-212-9515292 / 9516901; E-mails: cmenendez@sela.org
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