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OAS ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL STRESSES COLLECTIVE
RESPONSE AS VITAL TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin of the Organization of American States (OAS) today reiterated the need for all sectors of society to work in strong partnership to bring about sustainable development in the countries of the Americas. “Government alone cannot be held accountable for balanced growth and progress,” he told guests at a Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) Board of Trustees luncheon, explaining that government, civil society, the private sector, trade unions, religious organizations and others all have a shared responsibility.

Noting that strategic development requires a long-term and strategic perspective on growth and wealth creation, Ambassador Ramdin lamented the emphasis on short-term strategies, rather than on real development that looks far beyond the next election. The present emphasis generally “creates an environment of short-term goals and ad-hoc actions,” he explained.

Elaborating, the OAS Assistant Secretary General said sustainable development also calls for a more holistic approach—“an integral and integrated approach to development that combines governance, economic, cultural, social and environmental issues.” He recalled as well that the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic Charter underscore the interdependence of democracy, integral development and multidimensional security.

Ambassador Ramdin also spoke about the value of proactive and preventive diplomacy, to prevent political crises by early engagement, or to avoid social and economic problems through sound policies and investment promotion. “It pays to be proactive,” he stated. In addition, Ramdin pressed the cause of advancing a hemispheric agenda that devotes special attention to the unique needs of the smaller and more disadvantaged countries of the Americas.

The OAS official praised the PADF for its vision and drive, noting that over its 45 years, it “has been a key OAS mechanism for strengthening civil society,” and has served as “an incubator of innovative development approaches.”

The PADF trustees also heard from Fred Schieck, a visiting professor at the National Defense University and a former deputy administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He spoke about how the USAID manages its development assistance in Latin American and the Caribbean.

The trustees and guests were welcomed to the event by PADF President Alexander F. Watson, who, along with Executive Director John Sanbrailo, gave opening remarks in which they presented an overview of the Foundation’s work in development in the hemisphere.

Reference: E-224/06