Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration

in Latin America and the Caribbean

Venue: Headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat

Torre Europa, 5th Floor, Sala Andrés Bello,

Campo Alegre. Caracas, Venezuela

August 6 and 7, 2007

Justification | Objectives

Documentation | Organization | Logistics | Registration

Contacts | Links | Photo gallery

Justification

The dynamics and magnitude of social problems (high degrees of poverty, unemployment, insecurity, malnutrition, among others) in Latin America and the Caribbean have prompted the Governments of the region to give priority to social policies in their development strategies. Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most unbalanced regions of the world, where social deficit has had a high significance and impact.

This situation is being recognized within the areas of integration. Each of the four existing subregional schemes (the Andean Community, CARICOM, CACM, MERCOSUR) have considered social dimension of integration from their particular point of view, developing social agendas with their own mechanisms. A proof of this is the work programmes reflecting this purpose within its activities.

The progress and strengthening of the regional integration process must transcend the usual topics. It is necessary for schemes to start familiarizing with ways to treat other complex subjects, which are of interest for the countries involved at present.

Countries are still far from materializing common public policies based on the harmonization and coordination of those subregional social agendas.

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Objectives

As a consultation and coordination forum, SELA expects to pave a way for exchange, indicating relevant aspects for social dimension of integration, recommendations formulated and cooperation among different bodies, as follows:

Encourage joint reflection among participants of the Regional Meeting through a proposal prepared by SELA.

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses, as well as the challenges being faced as regards this matter, in order to make strides in the integration process in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Analyze and exchange ideas, coordinate and design possible regional actions regarding policy proposals that are applicable to social issues in relation to integration agendas and development.

Encourage the formulation of feasible recommendation mechanisms for strengthening the integration process in Latin America and the Caribbean.

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Documentation

Proposals and conclusions

SP/RR-DSIALC/DT N° 3 – 07

Speech by Ambassador Floria Caricote Lovera, Permanent Secretary of SELA

SP/RR-DSIALC/Di N° 1 – 07

Social issues in regional integration

Socorro Ramírez, Political Studies and International Relations Institute (IEPRI)

National University of Colombia.

SP/RR-DSIALC/Di N° 2 – 07

The social dimension of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean

SP/RR-DSIALC/Di N° 3 – 07 (PowerPoint)

Ariela Ruíz-Caro Investigadora del Centro de Estudios Políticos, Económicos y Sociales (CEPES) – Buenos Aires

Higher education, development and integration

José Antonio Quinteiro, International Institute for Higher Education in Latin America and the Caribbean

(IESALC/UNESCO)

SP/RR-DSIALC/Di N° 4 – 07

Comments on the social dimension of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean

Francine Jácome, Venezuelan Institute for Social and Political Studies (INVESP)

SP/RR-DSIALC/Di N° 5 – 07

The participation of civil society and Impact on public policies

Hugo Varsky, Commission of Permanent Representatives MERCOSUR

SP/RR-DSIALC/Di N° 6 – 07

Base document for the meeting

The social dimension of integration in Latin America and the Caribbean
SP/RR-DSIALC/DT No.1-07

The Permanent Secretariat will also prepare a final report of the Meeting with comments from participants and contributions from speaker organizations and subregional schemes, which will be published in SELA’s Web site.

It will therefore be possible to have access to materials and documents of interest stemming from this Regional Meeting.

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Organization

Sponsors

Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)

http://www.sela.org

For the Permanent Secretariat of SELA, the following persons will be responsible for coordinating the meeting:

Carmen Gabriela Menéndez, Coordinator of Relations with Member States

Javier Gordon, Relations Analyst

Friedel Descailleaux, Coordination Secretary

Telephones: 58-212-9557111 / 9557145

Fax: 58-212-9515292 / 9516901

E-mails: cmenendez@sela.org and jgordon@sela.org.

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Logistics

Venue and date

The Regional Meeting on Social Dimension of Integration in Latin America and the Caribbean will be held on 6 and 7 August 2007 in the headquarters of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA in Caracas (Address: Av. Francisco de Miranda, Torre Europa, Fifth Floor, Campo Alegre. Caracas, Venezuela. Telephones: 00-58-212-9557111 / 9557145; Fax: 58-212-9515292 / 9516901) Web site: http://www.sela.org).

It should be highlighted that, as set out in the Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 38.272, the “Law against Illegal Exchange” came into force as of 14 October 2005.

Languages

The official languages of this Regional Meeting will be Spanish and English. There will be simultaneous interpretation.

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Registration

Convocation to this Regional Meeting is exclusively for the representatives of Member States, subregional schemes and selected organizations. Its admission is closed, with limited and restricted access. The public will not be allowed to participate at the above-mentioned event.

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Contacts

Permanent Secretariat of the Latin American and Caribbean Economic System (SELA)

http://www.sela.org

In representation of the Permanent Secretariat of SELA

the following persons will be responsible for coordinating:

Carmen Gabriela Menéndez, Coordinator of Relations with Member States

Javier Gordon, Relations Analyst

Friedel Descailleaux, Coordinating Secretary

Telephones: 58-212-9557111 / 9557145

Fax: 58-212-9515292 / 9516901

E-mails: cmenendez@sela.org and jgordon@sela.org.