Ask the Scholar

Document scope · 1 page
doc
Scholar
Ask about this object, its catalog metadata, its source description, or the page inventory. For page-specific OCR and visual context, open one of the page chats.

Scholar Source Context

Document identity
localId
24822918
label
[First Ladies] Conference - Chile Declaration, Etc. [1]
core
doc
dtoType
document
pageCount
1
Source metadata
Source extras
naId
24822918
levelOfDescription
fileUnit
otherTitles
42-t-7763278-20121035S-046-011-2015
recordType
description
ocrSource
nara-archive
Single page context
seq
1
pageIndex
0
type
document
mediaId
f451c7ec9fbf0e06
ocrText
TERESA GONZÁLEZ FERNANDEZ DE SOLA Dear Mrs. Clinton: This is a brief summary of the case of Gabriela arias Uriburn - -AS the Official Delegate to the First Ladies Co uference I would like to consider the possibility to in- - clude a paragraph regarding this Kind of situations in the Declaration of Chile- This year, as you know, is the Celebration of 50: Aniversary F Universal Human Declaration So we can put it in a possitive ways children to have both parents and tami putting the accent on the Rights of the Swill write to the office of the rest of the First ladies Athe america and propose it to Theresa foar for Vital Voices in Monterides- have done an outstanding job with efficiency By the way, Theresa Loar and her whole team Set me know your opinion- Seee you and with an open heart- in Chile Teerse sda Belfast . 2-1x-98 ABDUCTION OF SHABAN ARIAS' CHILDREN A leading case for Argentina: There are about 10,000 more cases like this in the world. On December 10th. 1997 Shaban Arlas children were illegally taken away by their father Imad Shaban, from their home place In Guatemala, after " Family Court Judge in Guatemala had granted the mother their custody. Since that day, Mrs. Gabriela Arias Uriburu, the mother, has not had any news from her children until March 21th 1998, when she learnt, through Indirect sources, that they were in Amman, Jordan, with their father. Ambassador Teresa SOLA Undersecretary of Women's Affairs Fax(54-1) 310-8402 Tel (54-1) 311 4253 310-8438/8269/8270 The Shaban Arias family consisés of Gabriela Arlas Uriburu (33 years), Argentinian, daughter of the former Ambassador of Argentina to Guatemala; Imad Mahm'd Shaban (40 years), a Jordan of origin who later acquired Guatemalan citizenship; and their three children Karlm (5 years), Zahira (4 years) and Sharlf (2 Years), all born In Guatemala, where the family always Ilved. Since the day the children were abducted, their mother has been desperatly trying to contact them and to obtain a solution through diplomatic ways, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Argentina On March 3rd. 1998, the President of Argentina, Carlos Menem sent personal letters to King Husseln of Jordan and to President Antonio Arzú of Guatemala, requesting to apply all the necessary efforts in the search and restitution of the minors. Meanwhile Gabriela has met several Jordan authorities as well as representatives of the U.N. and O.A.S. Currently, Argentina is presenting the case before several International Organizations. The present situation Is that though the Justice Department of Guatemala requested an order of arrest of Mr. Imad Shaban under the charge of abduction of minors, and through Interpol has issued an order of detention of Mr. Shaban. Besides Guatemalan Judges claim to be the only Jurisdiction over this case and demand that the children should be returned to their mother and to their own country. It is absolutely necessary that the correspondant authorithies should take active action for the Convention on the Rights of the Children to be respected. Said Convention was signed both by Guatemala and Jordan. 11 in perentory for the children to be back with their mother In accordance with the Natural Right, the right which was violated by n unllateral decision of their father. It is Gabriola's openly expressed wish that their children should keep a close contact with the father, in order to receive the best of each culture. The best solution for the well being of the children Shaban Arias Is that, within a fair and mutually agreed arrangement, the children should go back to Guatemala, the country where they were born, have grown up and where they have been educated. 8th Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas Santiago, Chile Background on First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton's Involvement On September 27-28, 1998, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton will participate in the 8th Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas, building on over four years of her involvement in issues relating to children and women in the Western Hemisphere. On December 10, 1994, as President Clinton hosted the Summit of the Americas in Miami, Mrs. Clinton invited all the First Ladies attending the Summit to join her at a parallel convening focused on children's issues. The Symposium on Children of the Americas examined how the Summit of the Americas agenda and plan of action addressed the health and education needs of children. There, the First Ladies committed themselves to working toward the Summit health and education goals. The Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas is an annual meeting, which brings together First Ladies or designated representatives of the countries of North, South, and Central America, as well as the Caribbean, to focus on critical social topics -- particularly affecting women and children -- and to share information on effective programs and strategies. After the Miami Summit, Mrs. Clinton accepted the invitation of the First Lady of Paraguay to participate in the 5th of these annual Conferences, marking the first time that a First Lady from North America would join in this convening. On March 24, 1995 Mrs. Clinton wrote a letter to each First Lady of the Western Hemisphere, recommending participation in the Paraguay Conference and suggesting that three critical topics discussed at the Miami Symposium be added to the agenda -- measles elimination, maternal mortality reduction, and education reform. In her letter, Mrs. Clinton urged the First Ladies of the region to be involved in the measles elimination program coordinated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and specifically, to participate in the launch of PAHO measles elimination campaigns in their own countries. On April 7, 1995, at the national PAHO headquarters in Washington, D.C., Mrs. Clinton gave the keynote address at the national launch of this effort, and there announced new U.S. assistance to the campaign. On October 16, 1995, Mrs. Clinton traveled to Asuncion, Paraguay and gave a keynote address at the 5th Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas. There, she announced the formation of the Partnership for Education Revitalization in the Americas known by its Spanish acronym (PREAL), a project called for at the Miami Summit of the Americas to provide assistance for the sharing of education reform best practices in the region. 1 On December 3, 1996, Mrs. Clinton traveled to La Paz, Bolivia, to participate in the 6th Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas, again giving a keynote address and urging the First Ladies of the Americas to continue their work on behalf of women and children in the region. At the Bolivia Conference, Mrs. Clinton announced a U.S.-funded hemispheric partnership to reduce maternal mortality. There, she and Bolivia's First Lady, Mrs. Sanchez de Lozada, witnessed the signing of a $2.25 million USAID grant to PAHO, for regional activities of the Maternal Mortality Reduction Initiative. On October 8-9, 1997, the Conference was held in Panama City, Panama. There, Mrs. Clinton focused her participation on promoting women's political participation and human rights. Also in Panama, Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Perez Balladares, the First Lady of Panama, witnessed the signing of a USAID grant of $4.5 million over 3 years, to the Inter-American Institute on Human Rights (IIHR), a Latin American organization dedicated to promoting respect for human rights and the consolidation of democracy throughout the Americas through research, education, training and technical assistance to government, regional organizations and non- governmental organizations (see separate USAID press release on the grant signing). Mrs. Clinton's involvement with the IIHR included a visit to IIHR headquarters in Costa Rica on May 8, 1997. There, she and Secretary of State Madeleine Albright participated in roundtable discussion with IIHR leadership and women who are human rights leaders from Central America to discuss the status of human rights in the region. This year, the 8th Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas takes place in Santiago, Chile on September 28-30. Santiago is particularly fitting venue for the Conference, because Chile hosted the Second Summit of the Americas earlier this year. The Conference, entitled, "The Americas Pave Today the Way for the Year 2000," will address five main topic areas: education, promotion of women's rights to full participation, prevention and elimination of domestic violence and child abuse, and coordination with the agreements and resolutions of the Second Summit of the Americas. Mrs. Clinton will address the Conference on "Promoting Women's Rights to Full Participation in Society and Supporting Civil Society." In addition, Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Frei, the First Lady of Chile, will also host a ceremony to witness the signing of two USAID grants. The first, a $5.0 million grant with the International City-Council Management Association and the National League of Cities, will work to strengthen and support local governments through Latin America, a goal of the Second Summit of the Americas. The second grant, which also stems from Summit commitments, will support a U.S.-Chile Scholarship program dedicated to improving development programs in the areas of poverty alleviation, democracy strengthening, education, and economic integration. Mrs. Clinton will also participate in a Conference initiative sponsored by Mrs. Frei, in which each participating First Lady bring with her a painter. The painters from around the hemisphere will work with Chilean children while the Conference proceedings are ongoing and together create a mural to be unveiled at the conclusion of the Conference. Mr. Jesse Trevino, a realist painter from San Antonio, Texas, will participate in the program on behalf of the United States. 2 DRAFT Scene Setter: USG Signing Ceremony While in Santiago at the First Ladies' Conference, Mrs. Clinton and Mrs. Frei will witness the signing of two USAID grants, both of which relate to implementation of agreements made at the Second Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile in April, 1998; The U.S. Chile Scholarship Program and a regional grant to the International City/County Management Association for support to national municipal associations in the LAC region. US-Chile Scholarships Program On April 16, 1998, Secretary of State Albright and Chilean Minister of Foreign Relations Insulza signed an Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on International Development Cooperation. Under the MOU, the U.S. and Chile are to seek opportunities to undertake joint development programs that support the objectives agreed to during the Summit of the Americas, especially in the areas of 1) poverty alleviation; 2) democracy strengthening; 3) education; and 4) economic integration. The United States-Chile Development Scholarship Program grew out of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between Secretary of State Albright and Chilean Minister of Foreign Relations Insulza on April 16, 1998. The Scholarship Program is designed to assist with the Latin American and Caribbean human resources development through increased professional and technical capacities around the hemisphere. Scholarships will be given to individuals to attend training programs in Chile that advance U.S. bilateral programs/objectives in third countries in the region. This Scholarship Program will comprise the first joint initiative under the MOU. Responsible Agencies: The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Cooperation Agency of Chile are charged with the primary responsibility for implementing the MOU. Regional Grant for Local Government USAID will sign a new $5.0 million grant with the International City/Country Management Association (ICMA), and its partner the National League of Cities, will help increase capacity building efforts at the local government level by to providing access to a wider range of local government development skills. Specifically, the program will work with the national associations of municipalities, their regional support organizations, and the international donor community, to increase accountability, increase and improve training of municipal officials, and increase communication through Internet with a view to sharing successful experiences in solving common problems. The program will also set up a Donors Consultative Group to improve the effectiveness of international support for local government in the Latin American and Caribbean Region. Responsible Agencies: The program will be implemented through key non-profit organizations that work with local governments in Latin America and the U.S. The International City/County Management Association, and the National League of Cities. This program will also work with the the regional chapters of International Union of Local Authorities (IULA); IULA-FEMICA in Central America and IULA-CELCADEL in South America. This program is a direct response by the U.S. to the commitment made in Santiago at the Second Summit of the Americas to "strengthen the capabilities of regional and local governments, when appropriate, and to foster more active participation in civil society." The signing ceremony will include representatives from ICMA, IULA, and two to three Chileans who have been involved in the development of a Handbook on Gender Equity in Local Government. SEP-16-1998 11:56 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.02/04 USAID U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT September 3, 1998 Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean Ms. Veronica Baraona del Pedregal Chief of Staff for the First Lady Republic of Chile Santiago Dear Veronica: As promised in our recent telephone conversation, described below are summaries of the two programs that could be announced at the Eighth Conference of the Wives of the Heads of State and Governments of America. These programs are: a new $5 million USAID initiative to strengthen local government in Latin America and the Caribbean; and a $375,000 Joint Scholarship Program funded by Chile's Agency for International Cooperation (AgCI) and USAID. The scholarship program is one component of a broader effort agreed to in President Clinton's state visit last April that committed both organizations to expand their cooperation in efforts associated with implementation of key Summit initiatives. Local Government: The political landscape of the Americas is rapidly evolving. Most noteworthy are the positive trends associated with democratic governance and greater autonomy at the local level. These important changes offer new opportunities and present new challenges for women in the Americas to become more active in the political lives of their communities. We are now seeing throughout the Americas women being elected as mayors and municipal council members. Although the number of women serving in these new positions of political leadership remains modest-- only ten percent of mayors in Latin America are women--those who have become more active in the political lives of their local communities are increasingly viewed as strong candidates for Congress and other higher levels of public office. 320 TWENTY-FIRST STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON. D.C. 20523 SEP-16-1998 11:57 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.03/04 - 2 - The United States has supported local government development in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years and strongly supported the commitments made at the Santiago Summit to strengthen the capabilities of regional and local governments. At the First Ladies Conference in Santiago, we would like to announce the release of two new publications stemming from these ongoing efforts. Both are available in Spanish and are titled: "A Handbook for Training Local Government Officials" and "Promotion of Gender Equity in Municipal Government. " USAID's new $5 million decentralization initiative builds on these efforts and will continue to focus on strengthening the capacity of local government officials to carry out their new responsibilities. The new program will work in close concert with key local government associations in South American and Central America (IULA and FEMICA) as well as with the U.S. based International City Managers Association (ICMA). At the First Ladies Conference we would like to sign our new agreement with ICMA in conjunction with the release of the new publications referred to above. Key Latin American partners in this effort would also be present at the signing ceremony; which would be witnessed by the First Lady of the U.S. and First Lady of Chile, in a ceremony in which the two would be the speakers. Joint Scholarship Program: The United States-Chile Development Scholarship Program is a direct response by both countries to agreements reached in Santiago committing national organizations responsible for international cooperation to coordinate their efforts supporting implementation of Summit recommendations. In support of this initiative, the U.S. and Chile signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on new initiatives being planned linked to Summit follow up. This joint scholarship program between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Cooperation Agency of Chile (AgCI) marks the first initiative resulting from this Memorandum of Understanding. The scholarships will fund short-term training and two-year post graduate academic programs at Chilean universities. The areas of study included in the program will focus on the main Summit themes of poverty alleviation, democracy strengthening, education and economic integration. The first participants are expected to begin their studies in early 1999. The first year of the program will fund approximately 20 to 30 participants. The scholarship program is an important step in the broader effort toward enhancing hemispheric cooperation in implementing Summit initiatives and provides a starting point for discussions on increased collaboration with the eight countries in the region that fund international cooperation (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile and the United States). SEP-16-1998 11:57 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.04/04 - 3 - Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information on these activities. I look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, 11 Mark L Schneider CC: Ms. Melanne Verveer Office of the First Lady The White House Drafted by: LAO/ROD THakoney TOTAL P.04 SEP-13-1998 18:21 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.01/07 U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT Bureau For Latin America and the Caribbean Democracy and Human Rights Team may 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Rm. 5.09 Washington, DC 20523 Limity DATE: September 13, 1998 TO: Nicole Rabnet FAX NUMBER: 156-2878 FROM: Madeline Williams Democracy Officer SENDER'S FACSIMILE: 216-3262 SENDER'S PIIONE: 712 4077 NUMBER OF PAGES INCLUDING THIS COVER SHEET IS 7 MESSAGE: As promised SEP-13-1998 18:21 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.02/07 U.S. Department of State Office of Language Services Translating Division LS No. 098139 ML/JPM Spanish DOCUMENT NO. 2 EIGHTH CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE AMERICAS TECHNICAL PREPARATORY MEETING SANTIAGO DECLARATION VERSION NO. 2 SANTIAGO, CHILE, JUNE 22-26, 1998 SEP-13-1998 18:22 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.03/07 DRAFT DECLARATION OF SANTIAGO Not present pamsh version (Version No. 2, June 25, 1998) We, the wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas and the government representatives, meeting in Santiago, Chile, September 28-30, 1998, under the theme: "The Americas /Pave Paving Today the Way for the Year 2000," for the purpose of sharing achievements and lending new impetus to our commitment to contribute to the development of the countries of the Hemisphere, hereby sign the following Declaration: 1. We recognize the growing need to contribute more actively to finding require a hemispheric effort Stet chile solutions to social problems that frust now be tackled at the hemispheric level, by Eng. translation pooling capabilities, sharing experiences, strengthening initiatives, and designing strategies that permit us to take effective action in this area; 2. We value our potential as a shared network of common goals and projects that transcend our borders for the purpose of bringing together, developing, and using capabilities and resources to the benefit of our societies, especially its sectors most at stet chile risk;] vulnerable sectors 3. Our actions are oriented towards supporting and promoting social policies and strategies consistent with international agreements and resolutions that foster the strengthening of democracy, the erradication elimination of poverty, progress toward in terms of economic stability and social justice for all the peoples of the Americas; SEP-13-1998 18:22 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.04/07 2 - 4. We commit ourselves once more to the agreements concluded as part of the Panama Declaration with respect to high-risk population groups who are hardest hit by the effects of poverty and social exclusion; 5. We recognize that globalization is generating, in each of our countries, new situations that present a series of new demands and opportunities with respect to national capabilities; 6. We emphasize the valuable assistance being provided by cooperation agencies, international organizations, and multilateral programs to support social polices and government and non-governmental institutions, to bolster initiatives and resources aimed at the implementation of our activities; 7. We endorse and value the strides made, as set forth in the "Follow-up Report on the Agreements and Plans Adopted at the Seventh Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas" regarding: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Cancer Control, Eradication of Measles, Elimination of all Forms of Violence, Reduction of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Compliance with the Rights and Obligations with respect to Children, Improvement of the Quality of Childhood Education Systems, Equal Access by Boys and Girls to Education, and Equal Access by Women to Decision- Making Processes; 8. We agree to adopt, as central priority issues of this Eighth Conference, given their importance and relevance to the situations in the countries gathered here: Education, Promotion of Women's Rights to Participation, Prevention and Elimination of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, and coordination with the agreements and SEP-13-1998 18:22 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.05/07 -3- resolutions of the Second Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, in April 1998, and other conferences on these topics; relevant stet chile 9. In the field of education, we underscore the importance of the comprehensive development of the child, with emphasis on the early education of boys and girls under age six living in poverty and other high-risk situations; and on the inclusion and retention of women in the labor force. We also underscore the importance of continuing to combine our efforts to support educational strategies that target women's health. 10. We recognize, as problems that need to be addressed on an urgent basis, increased teenage pregnancy and a higher incidence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome among young people and women. We agree to dedicate our efforts to encouraging and supporting sexual education for boys and girls regarding the prevention of HIV and STDs [sexually transmitted diseases]. Add 11. We reaffirm our support for strengthening the rights of women to participate in all areas of social, political, economic, and cultural endeavor-involving S our greatly value stet. chile peoples. We are particularly appreciative of the initiatives taken to include rural women in this process. 12. We declare our firm intent to continue to strive for equal treatment of and opportunities for women, which serve as barometers of actual progress made in consolidating the democratic mechanisms that our countries are promoting. We will lend support to programs aimed at strengthening the capabilities of women, particularly those that encourage and develop their leadership skills. SEP-13-1998 18:22 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.06/07 - 4 13. We recognize and appreciate value the progress made in the countries of the stet chile Hemisphere with respect to legislation applicable to domestic violence. We agree to devote our efforts to strengthening those entities that guarantee proper implementation of and actual compliance with the rights and duties resulting from this legislation. 14. We reiterate the need to guarantee continuity of efforts aimed at eradicating measles in our Hemisphere by the year 2000. Moreover, we support other initiatives aimed at implementing innovative strategies for the promotion of physical and mental health. 15. Within the context of the International Year of Older Persons, scheduled september (?) check on by the United Nations to cover the period October 1, 1998, to October [sic] 30, 1999, we this date agree to work systematically in our countries for their full social, economic, and cultural inclusion. We will also provide assistance with exchanges and technical support in this area among our countries. 16. We note that our meeting coincides with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and we undertake to comply fully with the goals set forth in that important Declaration 17. We declare our firm intent to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, in order to strengthen their participatory rights. 18. We express our appreciation to the First Lady of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Marta Larraechea de Frei, and in particular, the Chilean people, for the hospitality extended during our stay. SEP-13-1998 18:23 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.07/07 5 - 19. We are grateful for and accept the courteous offer of the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mrs. Aline Chrétien, to host the Ninth Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas. 20. We reaffirm our support for access to and the participation of women in decision-making as one of the most important ways of achieving our goals and "paving today the way for the year 2000." TOTAL P.07 SEP-10-1998 11:09 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.02/10 U.S. Department of State Office of Language Services Translating Division LS No. 098139 ML/JPM Spanish DOCUMENT NO. 2 EIGHTH CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE AMERICAS TECHNICAL PREPARATORY MEETING SANTIAGO DECLARATION VERSION NO. 2 SANTIAGO, CHILE, JUNE 22-26, 1998 202 647 9480 P.03/10 SEP-10-1998 11:09 AA/LAC/EMT DRAFT DECLARATION OF SANTIAGO (Version No. 2, June 25, 1998) We, the wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas and the government representatives, meeting in Santiago, Chile, September 28-30, 1998, under the theme: "The Americas: Paving Today the Way for the Year 2000," for the purpose of sharing achievements and lending new impetus to our commitment to contribute to the development of the countries of the Hemisphere, hereby sign the following Declaration: 1. We recognize the growing need to contribute more actively to finding solutions to social problems that must now be tackled at the hemispheric level, by pooling capabilities, sharing experiences, strengthening initiatives, and designing strategies that permit us to take effective action in this area; 2. We value our potential as a shared network of common goals and projects that transcend our borders for the purpose of bringing together, developing, and using capabilities and resources to the benefit of our societies, especially its sectors most at risk; 3. Our actions are oriented towards supporting and promoting social policies and strategies consistent with international agreements and resolutions that foster the strengthening of democracy, the elimination of poverty, progress in terms of economic stability, and social justice for all the peoples of the Americas; SEP-10-1998 11:10 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.04/10 2 - - 4. We commit ourselves once more to the agreements concluded as part of the Panama Declaration with respect to high-risk population groups who are hardest hit by the effects of poverty and social exclusion; 5. We recognize that globalization is generating, in each of our countries, new situations that present a series of new demands and opportunities with respect to national capabilities; 6. We emphasize the valuable assistance being provided by cooperation agencies, international organizations, and multilateral programs to support social polices and government and non-governmental institutions, to bolster initiatives and resources aimed at the implementation of our activities; 7. We endorse and value the strides made, as set forth in the "Follow-up Report on the Agreements and Plans Adopted at the Seventh Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas" regarding: Teen Pregnancy Prevention, Cancer Control, Eradication of Measles, Elimination of all Forms of Violence, Reduction of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Compliance with the Rights and Obligations with respect to Children, Improvement of the Quality of Childhood Education Systems, Equal Access by Boys and Girls 10 Education, and Equal Access by Women to Decision- Making Processes; 8. We agree to adopt, as central priority issues of this Eighth Conference, given their importance and relevance to the situations in the countries gathered here: Education, Promotion of Women's Rights to Participation, Prevention and Elimination of Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, and coordination with the agreements and SEP-10-1998 11:10 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.05/10 - 3 - resolutions of the Second Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, in April 1998, and other conferences on these topics; 9. In the field of education, we underscore the importance of the comprehensive development of the child, with emphasis on the early education of boys and girls under age six living in poverty and other high-risk situations; and on the inclusion and retention of women in the labor force. We also underscore the importance of continuing to combine our efforts to support educational strategies that target women's health. 10. We recognize, as problems that need to be addressed on an urgent basis, increased teenage pregnancy and a higher incidence of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome among young people and women. We agree to dedicate our efforts to encouraging and supporting sexual education for boys and girls regarding the prevention of HIV and STDs [sexually transmitted diseases]. 11. We reaffirm our support for strengthening the rights of women to participate in all areas of social, political, economic, and cultural endcavor involving our peoples. We are particularly appreciative of the initiatives taken to include rural women in this process. 12. We declare our firm intent to continue to strive for equal treatment of and opportunities for women, which serve as barometers of actual progress made in consolidating the democratic mechanisms that our countries are promoting. We will lend support to programs aimed at strengthening the capabilities of women, particularly those that encourage and develop their leadership skills. 202 647 9480 P.06/10 SEP-10-1998 11:10 AA/LAC/EMT 4 - 13. We recognize and appreciate the progress made in the countries of the Hemisphere with respect to legislation applicable to domestic violence. We agree to devote our efforts to strengthening those entities that guarantee proper implementation of and actual compliance with the rights and duties resulting from this legislation. 14. We reiterate the need to guarantee continuity of efforts aimed at eradicating measles in our Hemisphere by the year 2000. Moreover, we support other initiatives aimed at implementing innovative strategies for the promotion of physical and mental health. 15. Within the context of the International Year of Older Persons, scheduled by the United Nations to cover the period October 1, 1998, to October [sic] 30, 1999, we agree to work systematically in our countries for their full social, economic, and cultural inclusion. We will also provide assistance with exchanges and technical support in this area among our countries. 16. We note that our meeting coincides with the Fiftieth Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and we undertake to comply fully with the goals set forth in that important Declaration. 17. We declare our firm intent to promote equal opportunities for persons with disabilities, in order to strengthen their participatory rights. 18. We express our appreciation to the First Lady of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Marta Larraechea de Frei, and in particular, the Chilean people, for the hospitality extended during our stay. SEP-10-1998 11:11 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.07/10 -)- . 19. We are grateful for and accept the courteous offer of the wife of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mrs. Aline Chrétien, to host the Ninth Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government of the Americas. 20. We reaffirm our support for access to and the participation of women in decision-making as one of the most important ways of achieving our goals and "paving today the way for the year 2000." SEP-10-1998 11:11 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.08/10 USAID Fored U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT September 3, 1998 Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean Ms. Veronica Baraona del Pedregal Chief of Staff for the First Lady Republic of Chile Santiago Dear Veronica: As promised in our recent telephone conversation, described below are summaries of the two programs that could be announced at the Eighth Conference of the Wives of the Heads of State and Governments of America. These programs are: a new $5 million USAID initiative to strengthen local government in Latin America and the Caribbean; and a $375,000 Joint Scholarship Program funded by Chile's Agency for International Cooperation (AgCI) and USAID. The scholarship program is one component of a broader effort agreed to in President Clinton's state visit last April that committed both organizations to expand their cooperation in efforts associated with implementation of key Summit initiatives. Local Government: The political landscape of the Americas is rapidly evolving. Most noteworthy are the positive trends associated with democratic governance and greater autonomy at the local level. These important changes offer new opportunities and present new challenges for women in the Americas to become more active in the political lives of their communities. We are now seeing throughout the Americas women being elected as mayors and municipal council members. Although the number of women serving in these new positions of political leadership remains modest-- only ten percent of mayors in Latin America are women--those who have become more active in the political lives of their local communities are increasingly viewed as strong candidates for Congress and other higher levels of public office. 320 TWENTY-FIRST STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20523 SEP-10-1998 11:11 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.09/10 - 2 - The United States has supported local government development in Latin America and the Caribbean for many years and strongly supported the commitments made at the Santiago Summit to strengthen the capabilities of regional and local governments. At the First Ladies Conference in Santiago, we would like to announce the release of two new publications stemming from these ongoing efforts. Both are available in Spanish and are titled: "A Handbook for Training Local Government Officials" and "Promotion of Gender Equity in Municipal Government." USAID's new $5 million decentralization initiative builds on these efforts and will continue to focus on strengthening the capacity of local government officials to carry out their new responsibilities. The new program will work in close concert with key local government associations in South American and Central America (IULA and FEMICA) as well as with the U.S. based International City Managers Association (ICMA). At the First Ladies Conference we would like to sign our new agreement with ICMA in conjunction with the release of the new publications referred to above. Key Latin American partners in this effort would also be present at the signing ceremony; which would be witnessed by the First Lady of the U.S. and First Lady of Chile, in a ceremony in which the two would be the speakers. Joint Scholarship Program: The United States-Chile Development Scholarship Program is a direct response by both countries to agreements reached in Santiago committing national organizations responsible for international cooperation to coordinate their efforts supporting implementation of Summit recommendations. In support of this initiative, the U.S. and Chile signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on new initiatives being planned linked to Summit follow up. This joint scholarship program between the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the International Cooperation Agency of Chile (AgCI) marks the first initiative resulting from this Memorandum of Understanding. The scholarships will fund short-term training and two-year post graduate academic programs at Chilean universities. The areas of study included in the program will focus on the main Summit themes of poverty alleviation, democracy strengthening, education and economic integration. The first participants are expected to begin their studies in early 1999. The first year of the program will fund approximately 20 to 30 participants. The scholarship program is an important step in the broader effort toward enhancing hemispheric cooperation in implementing Summit initiatives and provides a starting point for discussions on increased collaboration with the eight countries in the region that fund international cooperation (Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Columbia, Mexico, Venezuela, Chile and the United States). SEP-10-1998 11:12 AA/LAC/EMT 202 647 9480 P.10/10 - 3 - Please let me know if I can provide you with any additional information on these activities. I look forward to seeing you soon. Sincerely, 71 Mark L Schneider CC: Ms. Melanne Verveer Office of the First Lady The White House TOTAL P.10 Tentative Agenda Eight Conference of First Ladies of the Americas 28-30 September, 1998 Sunday, September 27 Arrival of First Ladies and Official Delegations Monday, September 28 0800 - 0830: Processing credentials (Hotel Sheraton) 0830 - 0900: Conference Inauguration Salón Pedro de Valdivia, Hotel Sheraton 0930 - 1030: Panels and selected project presentations (4). 30 minutes for each presentation, with questions by the First Ladies. * Strengthing the Integration of the Rural Woman * Socio-Economic Democratization * Productivity and Commericialization (IICA is the responsible agency for these three activities) * Family Violence (OPS/OMS and BID are responsible agencies) 1045 - 1100: Coffee Break 1100 - 1200: Panel Sessions. * Sex Education (UNFPA is the responsible agency) * Measles Erradication by the year 2000 (OPS/OMS is responsible agency) 1230 - 1300: Discussion of the Plan of Action from the Second Summit of the Americas and the Plan of Action for this Eighth Conference Speaker: Carlos Appelgren (head of the Americas Desk, Foreign Ministry) 1315 - 1430: Lunch (at the Hotel Sheraton) 1445 - 1700: Start of presentations by the First Ladies (8 minutes each) 1700 - 1715: Coffee Break 1715 - 1900: Continuing presentations by the First Ladies 1900 - Free for the Evening Tuesday, September 29 0900 - TBD: Continuing presentations by the First Ladies 1300 - 1430: Lunch (Hotel Sheraton) 1445 - 1830: Continuing presentations by the First Ladies Note: there will be a parallel meeting of Technical Advisors who will draft/review the Santiago Declaration. 2030: Official Dinner at Castillo Hidalgo Wednesday, September 30 0900 - TBD: Continuing presentations by the First Ladies Note: Mrs. Clinton will be the first speaker of the morning. Her subject will be Promotion of Women's Participation Rights Following the First Ladies' presentations, conference delegates will move to the Museum Casa Lo Matta. TBD: Signing of the Declaration of Santiago Conference Closing, with the event "América Pinta con los Niños" Cocktails THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON FACSIMILE COVER SHEET TO: Madeline Williams FROM: Nicole Rabner Associate Director for Domestic Policy The White House FAX #: 216-3262 PHONE #: # OF PAGES (including cover page) 4 COMMENTS: Let's dissuss This letter. Tomorrow is my last day in The office for a few weeks, and I'd he very grateful for you to help MI with a few follow-up items: - The painter issue (see a attached) 2 The translation of the declation- follow up 3 The description to Veronica from Mark of Me proposed signing Thanks aremony. so much! THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON luber Am ofc 757-5000 John Haniston, 647-4000 ph 5862 8562 Mark Schneider, 712-4800 ph far: 216-3012 Jed Piccone, 3610E0B Madeline Williame, 712-4077ph fax 216-3262 Melanne - IC. fastor for 647-0791 John H. THE WHITE HOUSE WASHINGTON July 27, 1998 MEMORANDUM FOR JOHN HAMILTON, STATE MARK SCHNEIDER, USAID TED PICCONE, NSC CC: MELANNE VERVEER, OFL MADELINE WILLIAMS, USAID FROM: NICOLE RABNER, OFL SUBJECT: CHILE FIRST LADIES CONFERENCE DRAFT DECLARATION As discussed in last week's meeting, attached for your review please find the draft declaration of the First Ladies Conference to be held in Santiago this September. This draft was recently forwarded to us from Mrs. Frei's office. Mrs. Frei's office has asked for written comment by July 30th. Please feel free to forward comments or questions to me by fax (456- 2878) or by phone (456-7263). Thanks very much. Document N° 2 8A CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS 8th CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS OF THE AMERICAS Technical Preparatory Meeting SANTIAGO DRAFT DECLARATION Version N° 2 Santiago de Chile, 22 al 26 de junio de 1998 GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago Chile 8^ CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS SANTIAGO DRAFT DECLARATION The Wives of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas and Delegates reuniting in Santiago, Chile from the 28th through the 30th of September of 1998 under the title "The Americas Build Today the Roads for the Year 2000" with the purpose of sharing our achievements and further promoting our commitment to contribute to the development of the countries in the hemisphere, subscribe to the following Declaration: 1. We recognize the ever-increasing need to participate actively in promoting solutions to those social problems that require a hemispheric effort, pooling abilities, sharing experiences, developing initiatives, and designing cooperative strategies, enabling us to effectively address them. 2. We appreciate our potential as a network that shares similar goals and projects beyond our borders and that joins together, develops and uses our abilities and resources to the benefit of our societies, especially of our most vulnerable sectors. 3. Our actions mainly address supporting and fostering social policies consistent with the international agreements and resolutions that promote the strengthening of democracy, the eradication of poverty, progressing toward economic stability and social justice for the people of the Americas. 4. We reaffirm the agreements set forth in the Panama Declaration with respect to the vulnerability of populations that feel the greatest impact of poverty and social exclusion. 5. We recognize that globalization is generating in our countries new scenarios that pose new demands and offer new opportunities to our countries. 6. We highlight the valuable collaboration offered by the Cooperating Agencies, International Organizations and Multilateral Programs supporting social policies, Governmental and Non-Governmental Institutions that support the implementation of our activities through their initiatives and resource contributions. GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE 1 Teléfonos (56-2) - 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago - Chile 84 CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS 7. We endorse and value the progress set forth in the "Follow-up Report on the Agreements and Projects Adopted at the VII Conference of First Ladies of the Americas" regarding: Teen Pregnancy Prevention; Cancer Prevention and Control; Eradication of Measles; Elimination of all Forms of Violence; Reduction of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality; Compliance with Child Rights and Obligations; Improvement of Infant Education Systems; Non- discrimination of Gender in Access to Education; Women's Right to Participate in the Decision-Making Process. 8. Due to its relevance and importance for the countries gathered, we agree to prioritize at this Eighth Conference: Education; Promotion of Women's Participation Rights; Prevention and Elimination of Intrafamiliar Violence and Child Abuse; Coordination with the Resolutions and Agreements reached at the Second Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, in April 1998 and other relevant conferences on these issues. 9. In the area of Education, we highlight the importance of children's comprehensive development, especially as regards early childhood education of children under 6 years of age affected by poverty and other risk situations, and the incorporation and retention of women in our countries' work force. Also, we highlight the importance of combining our efforts to support education strategies focused on women's health. 10. We recognize the urgency of addressing the increase of adolescent pregnancy, and the increase in the prevalence of AIDS in teenagers and women. We agree to spare no reasonable efforts to promote and support children's sex education and HIV and STD prevention. 11. We reaffirm our support to strengthen the right of women to participate in all social, political, economic and cultural activities of our people. We greatly value the initiatives that integrate rural women into this process. 12. We reaffirm our willingness to continue supporting women's equal rights and opportunities as an indicator of the effective progress achieved by the consolidation of the democratic mechanisms implemented in our countries. We will support those programs leading to the strengthening of women's abilities, emphasizing those promoting and developing their leadership abilities. 2 GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) - 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / [email protected] Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago - Chile 81 CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS 13. We recognize and value the progress achieved by the countries in the hemisphere in legislating against domestic violence. We agree to focus our efforts on strengthening the pertinent agencies to guarantee implementation and compliance with the rights and obligations established in that legislation. 14. We reiterate the need to continue efforts to eradicate measles by the year 2000. Likewise, we will support other initiatives leading to the implementation of innovative strategies to promote physical and mental health. 15. Within the context of the International Senior Citizen's Year, determined by the United Nations as the period beginning on October 1, 1998 and ending on October 30, 1998, we agree to promote a systematic approach toward the social, economic and cultural integration of senior citizens in our countries. We will also assist in promoting technical assistance and support among our countries. 16. We highlight that our meeting coincides with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and we commit ourselves to comply strictly with the statements set forth in this declaration. 17. We reaffirm our firm intention to promote equal opportunities for disabled people with the purpose of strengthening their right to full participation. 18. We express our gratitude to the First Lady of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Marta Larraechea de Frei, and especially to the Chilean people for their hospitality during our stay. 19. We appreciate and accept the invitation of the Wife of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mrs. Aline Chrétien, to host the IX Conference of the Wives of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas. 20. We reaffirm our support of women's access and participation in decision- making processes as one of the most important ways to attain our goals and to "Build today the roads for 2000". GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE 3 Teléfonos (56-2) - 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago Chile Document N° 2 81 CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS th CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS OF THE AMERICAS SANTIAGO DRAFT DECLARATIO Santiago de Chile, September 28, 29 and 30, 1998 GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda . Santiago Chile 84 CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS SANTIAGO DRAFT DECLARATION The Wives of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas and Delegates reuniting in Santiago, Chile from the 28th through the 30th of September of 1998 under the title "The Americas Build Today the Roads for the Year 2000" with the purpose of sharing our achievements and further promoting our commitment to contribute to the development of the countries in the hemisphere, subscribe to the following Declaration: 1. We recognize the ever-increasing need to participate actively in promoting solutions to those social problems that require a hemispheric effort, pooling abilities, sharing experiences, developing initiatives, and designing cooperative strategies, enabling us to effectively address them. 2. We appreciate our potential as a network that shares similar goals and projects beyond our borders and that joins together, develops and uses our abilities and resources to the benefit of our societies, especially of our most vulnerable sectors. 3. Our actions mainly address supporting and fostering social policies consistent with the international agreements and resolutions that promote the strengthening of democracy, the eradication of poverty, progressing toward economic stability and social justice for the people of the Americas. 4. We reaffirm the agreements set forth in the Panama Declaration with respect to the vulnerability of populations that feel the greatest impact of poverty and social exclusion. 5. We recognize that globalization is generating in our countries new scenarios that pose new demands and offer new opportunities to our countries. 6. We highlight the valuable collaboration offered by the Cooperating Agencies, International Organizations and Multilateral Programs supporting social policies, Governmental and Non-Governmental Institutions that support the implementation of our activities through their initiatives and resource contributions. 1 GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) - 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago - Chile 8^ CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS 7. We endorse and value the progress set forth in the "Follow-up Report on the Agreements and Projects Adopted at the VII Conference of First Ladies of the Americas" regarding: Teen Pregnancy Prevention; Cancer Prevention and Control; Eradication of Measles; Elimination of all Forms of Violence; Reduction of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality; Compliance with Child Rights and Obligations; Improvement of Infant Education Systems; Non- discrimination of Gender in Access to Education; Women's Right to Participate in the Decision-Making Process. 8. Due to its relevance and importance for the countries gathered, we agree to prioritize at this Eighth Conference: Education; Promotion of Women's Participation Rights; Prevention and Elimination of Intrafamiliar Violence and Child Abuse; Coordination with the Resolutions and Agreements reached at the Second Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, in April 1998 and other relevant conferences on these issues. 9. In the area of Education, we highlight the importance of children's comprehensive development, especially as regards early childhood in the Americas education of children under 6 years of age affected by poverty and other risk situations, and the incorporation and retention of women in our countries' work force. Also, we highlight the importance of combining our efforts to support education strategies focused on women's health. 10. We recognize the urgency of addressing the increase of adolescent pregnancy, and the increase in the prevalence of AIDS in teenagers and women! We agree to spare no reasonable efforts to promote and support children's sex education and HIV and STD prevention. 11. We reaffirm our support to strengthen the right of women to participate in all social, political, economic and cultural activities of our people. We greatly value the initiatives that integrate rural women into this process. 12. We reaffirm our willingness to continue supporting women's equal rights and opportunities as an indicator of the effective progress achieved by the consolidation of the democratic mechanisms implemented in our countries. We will support those programs leading to the strengthening of women's abilities, emphasizing those promoting and developing their leadership abilities. 2 GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago - Chile 8^ CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS 13. We recognize and value the progress achieved by the countries in the hemisphere in legislating against domestic violence. We agree to focus our efforts on strengthening the pertinent agencies to guarantee implementation and compliance with the rights and obligations established in that legislation. 14. We reiterate the need to continue efforts to eradicate measles by the year 2000. Likewise, we will support other initiatives leading to the implementation of innovative strategies to promote physical and mental health. 15. Within the context of the International Senior Citizen's Year, determined by the United Nations as the period beginning on October 1, 1998 and ending on October 30, 1998, we agree to promote a systematic approach toward the social, economic and cultural integration of senior citizens in our countries. We will also assist in promoting technical assistance and support among our countries. 16. We highlight that our meeting coincides with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and we commit ourselves to comply strictly with the statements set forth in this declaration. 17. We reaffirm our firm intention to promote equal opportunities for disabled people with the purpose of strengthening their right to full participation. 18. We express our gratitude to the First Lady of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Marta Larraechea de Frei, and especially to the Chilean people for their hospitality during our stay. 19. We appreciate and accept the invitation of the Wife of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mrs. Aline Chrétien, to host the IX Conference of the Wives of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas. 20. We reaffirm our support of women's access and participation in decision- making processes as one of the most important ways to attain our goals and to "Build today the roads for 2000". 3 GABINETE DE LA SENORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) - 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago - Chile Recommendation to the Declaration: Paragrah 10: As you know, in some countries, such as the United States, the adolescent pregnancy rate has actually fallen in the past few years. To be clear that the rise refers to the hemisphere as a whole, please add "in the Americas" at the end of the first sentence. More changes and edits will follow with the translation revision. Trabajo N° 2 8a CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS Reunión Técnica Preparatoria DECLARACION DE SANTIAGO Versión N° 2 Santiago de Chile, 22 al 26 de junio de 1998 BORRADOR DECLARACION DE SANTIAGO (Versión N°2 al 25 de junio de 1998) Las Esposas de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno de las Américas y las Delegadas 0 Delegados gubernamentales reunidas en Santiago de Chile del 28 al 30 de Septiembre de 1998 bajo el lema "América Construye Hoy los Caminos del 2000" con el propósito de compartir los logros obtenidos y dar un nuevo impulso a nuestro compromiso de contribuir al Desarrollo de los países del hemisferio, suscribimos la siguiente Declaración: 1. Reconocemos la creciente necesidad de contribuir más activamente en la promoción de las soluciones de los problemas sociales que hoy exigen un esfuerzo hemisférico, para reunir capacidades, compartir experiencias, potenciar iniciativas, y diseñar estrategias que nos permitan actuar eficazmente sobre ellos. 2. Apreciamos nuestro potencial como una red que comparte propósitos y proyectos afines más allá de nuestras fronteras para convocar, desarrollar y aplicar capacidades y recursos en beneficio de nuestras sociedades, especialmente de los sectores más vulnerables. 3. Nuestras acciones se orientan a apoyar y promover políticas y estrategias sociales consistentes con los acuerdos y resoluciones internacionales que promueven el fortalecimiento de la democracia, la eliminación de la pobreza, el progreso hacia la estabilidad económica y justicia social para todos los pueblos de las Américas. 4. Reafirmamos los acuerdos suscritos en la Declaración de Panamá respecto a la vulnerabilidad de los grupos poblacionales que reciben el mayor impacto de la pobreza y la exclusión social. 2 5. Reconocemos que la globalización está generando en cada uno de nuestros países nuevos escenarios que se traducen en un conjunto de nuevas exigencias y oportunidades a las capacidades nacionales. 6. Destacamos la valiosa colaboración que brindan las Agencias de Cooperación, los Organismos Internacionales y Programas Multilaterales de apoyo a las Políticas Sociales, Instituciones Gubernamentales y No Gubernamentales, los cuales concurren con el aporte de iniciativas y recursos a la implementación de nuestras actividades. 7. Suscribimos y valoramos los avances logrados que consigna el "Informe de Seguimiento de Acuerdos y Proyectos Adoptados en la VII Conferencia de Esposas de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno de las Américas" relativos a: Prevención de Embarazo Precoz, Prevención y Control del Cáncer, Eliminación del Sarampión, Eliminación de Todas las Formas de Violencia, Disminución de la Morbi Mortalidad Materna, Cumplimiento de los Derechos y Deberes de la Infancia, Mejoramiento de la Calidad de los Sistemas de Educación en la Niñez, Acceso Equitativo de Niñas y Niños a la Educación, Acceso Equitativo de la Mujer a los Procesos de Toma de Decisiones. 8. Concordamos en asumir como ejes temáticos prioritarios de esta Octava Conferencia por su relevancia y pertinencia a la realidad de los países congregados, la Educación; el fomento a los Derechos de Participación de la Mujer; la prevención y eliminación de la Violencia Intrafamiliar y Maltrato Infantil; Coordinación con los Acuerdos y Resoluciones de la Segunda Cumbre de las Américas celebrada en Santiago de Chile en abril de 1998 y otras conferencias relevantes sobre estos temas. 9. Destacamos en el ámbito de la Educación, la importancia del desarrollo integral de la infancia, con énfasis en la educación inicial de niños y niñas menores de 6 años en situación de pobreza u otras situaciones de riesgo, y en la incorporación y permanencia de las mujeres en la fuerza de trabajo. También, destacamos la importancia de continuar aunando esfuerzos para apoyar las estrategias educativas orientadas a la salud de las mujeres. 3 10. Reconocemos como una problemática urgente de abordar el incremento de embarazos de adolescentes y el aumento de la prevalencia del Sindrome de Inmunodeficiencia Adquirida. en los jóvenes y mujeres. Acordamos comprometer nuestros esfuerzos en el fomento y apoyo a la educación sexual de niños y niñas y a la prevención del VIH y ETS. 11. Reafirmamos nuestro apoyo al fortalecimiento de los derechos de participación de la mujer en todos los ámbitos del quehacer social, político, económico y cultural de nuestros pueblos. Valoramos de manera especial las iniciativas emprendidas en materia de integración de la mujer rural. 12. Declaramos nuestra firme voluntad de continuar promoviendo la igualdad de trato y oportunidades para las mujeres como un indicador del progreso efectivo de la consolidación de los mecanismos democráticos que nuestros países impulsan. Apoyaremos aquellos programas tendientes a fortalecer las capacidades de la mujer, con especial énfasis, los que promueven y desarrollan su liderazgo. 13. Reconocemos y valoramos los avances alcanzados en los países del hemisferio en la legislación relativa a la violencia intrafamiliar. Acordamos comprometer nuestros esfuerzos en el fortalecimiento de los organismos pertinentes que garanticen una adecuada implementación y un cumplimiento efectivo de los derechos y deberes que emanan de dicha legislación. 14. Reiteramos la necesidad de garantizar la continuidad de los esfuerzos orientados a erradicar el sarampión de nuestro hemisferio para el año 2000. Asimismo apoyaremos otras iniciativas tendientes a implementar estrategias innovativas en promoción de la salud física y mental. 4 15. En el contexto del Año Internacional del Adulto Mayor fijado por Naciones Unidas entre el 1° de octubre de 1998 y el 30 de octubre de 1999, acordamos promover en nuestros países un trabajo sistemático que propenda a su plena integración social, económica y cultural. También colaboraremos en el intercambio y apoyo técnico en la materia entre nuestros países. 16. Destacamos que nos reunimos coincidiendo con la celebración del 50 Aniversario de la Declaración de los Derechos Humanos de las Naciones Unidas y nos comprometemos a promover el cumplimiento cabal de las metas contenidas en esa trascendental Declaración. 17. Declaramos nuestra firme voluntad de promover la igualdad de oportunidades para las personas con discapacidad, con el objetivo de fortalecer sus derechos de participación. 18. Agradecemos a la Primera Dama de la República de Chile, señora Marta Larraechea de Frei, y en especial al pueblo chileno por la atención recibida durante nuestra estadía. 19. Agradecemos y aceptamos el gentil ofrecimiento de la Esposa del Primer Ministro de Canadá, señora Aline Chrétien para ser sede de la IX Conferencia de Esposas de Jefes de Estado y de Gobierno de las Américas. 20. Reafirmamos nuestro apoyo al acceso y participación de la mujer en la toma de decisiones como una de las formas más importantes de alcanzar nuestras metas y "Construir hoy los caminos del 2000" Translations changes offered by The English-peaking delegations. 061998 SANTIAGO DRAFT DECLARATION Wives of Heads of state and Government of The Americas The First Ladies of the American and Government Representatives and Delegates euriting pattending the meeting in Santiago, Chile from the 28th through the 30th of September under the motto "The Americas Build Today the Roads for the Year 2000" with the purpose of sharing our achievements and further promoting our to commitment of contributing to the development of the countries in the hemisphere, subscribe the following Declaration: to those to 1. We recognize the ever-increasing need of actively participating er in the promotions of solutions to the social problems requiring at present a hemispheric effort to pool- abilities, share experiences, develop initiatives, enabling and design cooperation Eing ategies allowing us to effectively direct them. appreciate ing ing that ing 2. We recognize our potential as a network that shares common goals and I projects beyond our frontiers to join together, develop and use ther abilities address borders and resources to the benefit of our societies, especially of our most vulnerable sectors. $ similar 3. Our actions are mainly addressed to support and foster social policies that consistent with the international agreement and resolutions leading to the promot strengthening of democracy, the eradication of poverty, progressing towards a stable economyan economic stability and a fair social justice for the peoples of the Americas. reaffrom reaffirm 4. We countersign the agreements set forth in the Panama Declaration regarding the vulnerability of the socially excluded and deprived groups with respect to the vulnerability Ma of populations that feel The greatest impact of poverty and social exclusion. economic stability and that 1 collaboration m offerred by The offer new 5. We recognize that globalization is generating in our countries new scenarios that posing new demands and opportunities to the countries capacity our 6. We valuable assistance of all Cooperation ing Agencies, International highlight Organizations and Multilateral Programs supporting social policies. Governmental and Non-Governmental Institutions that greatly support the implementation of our activities through their initiatives and resource contributions. 7. We endorse and value, recognize the progress set forth in the "Follow-up Report on the Agreements and Projects Adopted at the VII Conference of First Ladies of the Americas" regarding: Teen Pregnancy Prevention; Cancer Prevention and Control; Eradication of Measles; Elimination of all Forms of Violence; Reduction of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality; Compliance with Child Rights and Duties; Improvement of Infant Education Systems; Non- discrimination of Gender in Access to Education: Women's Right to Participate in the Decision-Making Process. 1.0 SANTIAGO DRAFT DECLARATION The Wives of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas and Delegates reuniting in Santiago, Chile from the 28th through the 30th of September of 1998 under the title "The Americas Build Today the Roads for the Year 2000" with the purpose of sharing our achievements and further promoting our commitment to contribute to the development of the countries in the hemisphere, subscribe to the following Declaration: 1. We recognize the ever-increasing need to participate actively in promoting solutions to those social problems that require a hemispheric effort, pooling abilities, sharing experiences, developing initiatives, and designing cooperative strategies, enabling us to effectively address them. and that our 2. We appreciate our potential as a network that shares similar goals and projects beyond our borders to jointogether. develop and use the abilities and resources to the benefit of our societies, especially of our most vulnerable sectors. 3. Our actions mainly address supporting and fostering social policies consistent with the international agreements and resolutions that promote the strengthening of democracy, the eradication of poverty, progressing toward a stable economy and social justice for the peoples of the Americas. economic stability 4. We reaffirm the agreements set forth in the Panama Declaration with respect to the vulnerability of populations that feel the greatest impact of poverty and social exclusion. 5. We recognize that globalization is generating in our countries new scenarios that pose new demands and offer new opportunities to our countries. 6. We highlight the valuable collaboration offered by the Cooperating Agencies, International Organizations and Multilateral Programs supporting social policies, Governmental and Non-Governmental Institutions that support the implementation of our activities through their initiatives and resource contributions. I 7. We endorse and value the progress set forth in the "Follow-up Report on the Agreements and Projects Adopted at the VII Conference of First Ladies of the Americas" regarding: Teen Pregnancy Prevention; Cancer Prevention and Control; Eradication of Measles; Elimination of all Forms of Violence; Reduction of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality; Compliance with Child Rights and Obligations; Improvement of Infant Education Systems; Non- discrimination of Gender in Access to Education; Women's Right to Participate in the Decision-Making Process. gathered 8. Due to its relevance and importance for the countries reunited, we agree to prioritize at this Eighth Conference: Education; Promotion of Women's Participation Rights; Prevention and Elimination of Intrafamiliar Violence and Child Abuse; Coordination with the Resolutions and Agreements reached at the Second Summit of the Americas held in Santiago, Chile, in April 1998 and other relevant conferences on these issues. early childhood 9 In the area of Education, we highlight the importance of infant's children comprehensive development, especially as regards primary education of children under 6 years of age affected by poverty and other risk situations, work and the incorporation and retention of women in our countries' labor forces. Also, we highlight the importance of combining our efforts to support education strategies focused on women's health. 10. We recognize the urgency of addressing the increase in the number of of adolescent pregnant adolescents, and the increase in the prevalence of AIDS in pregnancy teenagers and women. We agree to spare no reasonable efforts to promote and support children's sex education and HIV and STD prevention. to 11. We reaffirm our support toward the strengthening the right of women to participate in all social, political, economic and cultural activities of our people. We greatly value the initiatives toward the integration of rural women to this process. that integrate into 12. We reaffirm our willingness to continue supporting women's equal rights and opportunities as an indicator of the effective progress achieved by the consolidation of the democratic mechanisms implemented in our countries. We will support those programs leading to the strengthening of women's abilities. emphasizing those promoting and developing their leadership abilities. 2 against domestic 13. We recognize and value the progress achieved by the countries in the hemisphere in legislating about intrafamiliar violence. We agree to focus our efforts on strengthening the pertinent agencies to guarantee implementation and compliance with the rights and obligations established in said said that legislation. continue efforts 14. We reiterate the need to guarantee the continuity of the efforts made to eradicate measles by the year 2000. Likewise, we will support other initiatives leading to the implementation of innovative strategies in promoting physical and mental health. topromote 15. Within the context of the International Senior Citizen's Year, determined by the United Nations as the period beginning on October 1, 1998 and ending on October 30, 1998, we agree to promote a systematic approach toward the social, economic and cultural integration of senior citizens in our countries. We will also assist in promoting technical transference and support among our countries. assistance 16. We highlight that our meeting coincides with the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and we commit ourselves to strictly comply with the statements set forth in this declaration. right to full e 17. We reaffirm our firm intention to promoting equal opportunities for disabled people with the purpose of strengthening their participation right 18. We express our gratitude to the First Lady of the Republic of Chile, Mrs. Marta Larraechea de Frei, and especially to the Chilean people for their hospitality - courtesies during our stay. invitation 19. We appreciate and accept the proposition of the Wife of the Prime Minister of Canada, Mrs. Aline Chrétien, to celebrate the IX Conference of the Wives of the Heads of State and Government of the Americas. host 20. We reaffirm our support of to women's access and participation in decision- making processes as one of the most important ways of attaining our goals and "Build today the roads for 2000". to to 3 Comments by August Document N° 3 15 8^ CONFERENCIA DE ESPOSAS DE JEFES DE ESTADO Y DE GOBIERNO DE LAS AMERICAS 8th CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF HEADS OF STATES AND GOVERNMENTS OF THE AMERICAS Technical Preparatory Meeting REGULATIONS GABINETE DE LA SEÑORA DEL PRESIDENTE DE LA REPUBLICA DE CHILE Teléfonos (56-2) - 6904207 / 6904470 / 6904955 - Fax (56-2) 6904969 / 6904783 E-mail: plagos@ presidencia.cl / vmunoz@ presidencia.cl Palacio de La Moneda - Santiago Chile REGULATIONS CONFERENCE OF WIVES OF HEADS OF STATE AND GOVERNMENT OF THE AMERICAS GENERAL DISPOSITIONS Article 1: PARTICIPANTS The delegations of the countries attending the Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government will be integrated by the Head of Delegation Government Delegates, Technical Advisors and Guest Delegates. Article 2: TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS The Heads of Delegations are defined as the First Ladies of each of the countries attending the Conference. First Ladies are also the daughters of those Heads of State and Government that publicly manifest same. The Government Delegates are defined as that participant designated by governments that do not have First Ladies, to be their representatives during the Conference. The rights of the Governments Delegates are defined according to precedence order, and are not equal to those of the First Lady. The Technical Advisors are defined as those members on the team of the First Lady who are responsible for coordinating the substantial aspects of the Conference. The Guest Delegates are defined as the representatives of International Organisms. Paragraph: The Government Delegates, Technical Advisors an Guest Delegates are alternate delegates, and are subject to protocol precedence. DEVELOPMENT OF THE CONFERENCE Article 3: SPEECH RULES No alternate delegate may speak out during the Plenary Meetings without previous authorization of the Pro-Tempore Secretary. The Pro-Tempore Secretary will give the floor to the speakers in the order established previous to the meeting. The Pro-Tempore Secretary may call a speaker to order when his/her observations do not relate to the subject being discussed. Article 4: SPEECH LIMITATIONS a) The First Lady, as Head of Delegation, has ten minutes to present her country's speech. The order will be defined alphabetically or in a lottery drawn during the Preparatory Meeting. b) The Pro-Tempore Secretariat may limit the alternate delegate's time during his/her intervention, in a period equal or shorter than granted to the Head of Delegation. c) The alternate delegates are allowed no more than two interventions on the same subject. Before a decision is made, two speakers in favor and two against a theme proposal may speak in order to establish such limits. Article 5: PRECEDENCE A Government Delegate may be granted precedence to deliver his/her delegation's work. However, the protocol rule of precedence on participation and deliberation rights prevails. Article 6: DURING SPEECH TIME LIMITATION a) According to protocol precedence, the Pro-Tempore Secretary may limit the extension of each speaker's interventions and the number of each representative's interventions on a single subject. b) During a debate, the Pro-Tempore Secretary may read the list of speakers and declare this list closed. Nevertheless, if a speech given after the closing of the list makes it advisable, the Head of Delegation may be granted the right to respond. Article 7: PROPOSALS AND AMENDMENTS The proposals and amendments must be written and presented to the Pro- Tempore Secretary, who will distribute a copy of these to the delegations. Article 8: REPRESENTATION OF THE DELEGATIONS Each Delegation may be a Head of Delegation, a Government Delegate or a Technical Advisor during the first Plenary Sessions. Participation of the delegation representatives is subject to protocol precedence. Article 9: DESIGNATION OF THE ALTERNATE REPRESENTATIVES If designated by the Head of Delegation, the counselors, technical advisors, experts or individuals of a similar category may act as commission members will no be able to act during the sessions with the right to vote nor voice, which will be entitled only to the First Lady of each country, not to the alternate delegates. Article 10: VOTING RIGHTS The Head of Delegations will have the right to vote on the Final Declaration and the Action Plan, according to protocol precedence. Article 11: VOTING PROCEDURE a) Voting will be done through consensus. Article 12: RULES TO BE OBSERVED DURING VOTING Once the beginning of the voting process in announced by the Pro-Tempore Secretary, no representative may interrupt it. Article 13: SESSION ORGANIZATION Acknowledging the value of the debate, and in order to make the best use of time during this Summit, the following dispositions are to be observed: a) Extension of the Plenary. It should not extend itself for more that three hours. b) Closing of the speaker's list. The organization of the debate demands that the list of speakers who wish to participate be closed two weeks prior to the Conference. c) Extension of the interventions. The time for the programmed interventions must not exceed fifteen minutes. Any spontaneours interventions during the Plenary may not take longer than three minutes. Article 14: RESPONSE RIGHTS During the sessions, the delegations may use the right to respond at the end of the Plenary, within the established time. When exercising response rights, the interventions of each delegation will be limited to two per subject. FINAL DISPOSITIONS Article 16: BENEFITS All countries of the region that express their interest and adhesion to the programs proposed and to be executed within the context of the Eight Conference of Wives of Heads of State and Government's Final Declaration, shall benefit from these.