oas update

Update for Organization of American States General Committee Items The Organization of American States’ (OAS) General Assembly recently held its 40th Regular Session meeting, which began on June 6, 2010, and lasted until June 8, 2010.1 Topics discussed by the General Assembly ranged from the Question of the Malvinas Islands with an emphasis on possible renewed negotiations between the Argentine Republic and the United Kingdom regarding the ongoing sovereignty dispute to the Maritime Problem of Bolivia and the Promotion of Hemispheric Cooperation in Dealing with Criminal Gangs.2 Also addressed were climate change issues stressing the shared responsibility of OAS Member States and the international community in finding effective and equitable solutions; as well as addressing the special security concerns of the small island states of the Caribbean. Finally, the OAS General Assembly dealt with matters related to promoting women’s human rights and gender equality; support for socioeconomic development and sustainable political stability in Haiti; modernization and the use of electoral technologies in the Hemisphere; disarmament and nonproliferation education; and the importance of tourism in the Americas. On June 8, 2010, the OAS’ General Assembly, in its fourth plenary session, voted in favor of the Declaration of Lima (AG/DEC.63/40/O.10).3 Amongst the many topics addressed in the Declaration, the most important were the continued commitment of OAS Member States to foster respect for international law, promote lasting peace and security, and enhance the quality of hemispheric cooperation.4 In addition to the Declaration, the General Assembly adopted AG/RES.2557/40/O.10 reaffirming the continued commitment of OAS Member States to the reconstruction of Haiti and calling upon the Secretary General to draft a report outline details for how the OAS can better assist in the process.5 Finally, the OAS General Assembly also revisited the political situation in Honduras. On July 5, 2009, following the coup d’Etat that removed President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales from power, the General Assembly voted unanimously to suspend Honduras from active participation in the hemispheric body (AG/RES.2/37/E.9).6 Revisiting the issue, the General Assembly passed AG/RES.2531/40/O.10 reaffirming its concern for the political situation in Honduras and charging the Secretary General with forming a High-Level Commission to analyze the evolving situation.7 These issues will continue to be of concern for the OAS as they relate to its principle concerns for promoting democracy, security, human rights, and regional cooperation. The Committee at the National Model United Nations Conference Format: The Organization of American States’ General Assembly is a resolution-writing committee. Delegations attending the OAS’ General Assembly are thus required to submit relevant recommendations in the form of resolutions. Voting: The General Assembly is the principle organ of OAS and encompasses all Member States. As it is stated in Chapter IX, Article 56, of the OAS Charter, “all Member States have the right to be represented in the General Assembly. Each State has the right to one vote.”8 Thus, all Member States have equal voice in the General Assembly. a. Substantive and procedural matters: Within the scope of the OAS’ General Assembly, a majority of affirmative votes of the delegations present and voting is

required for a resolution to be adopted. b. Abstentions: The vote of a Member States that abstains during a voting procedure, be that procedural or substantive, will be considered

as inexistent as the State’s abstention vote will be taken as non-existing (Rule 32 (1) of the Rules of Procedure of the OAS General Assembly).

c. Present and Voting: During attendance roll call, delegates declaring their respective State as “present and voting” must cast an affirmative or

negative vote, and cannot abstain.

1 Organization of American States, Organization of American States General Assembly Web site, 2011. 2 Organization of American States, Agenda of the Fortieth Regular Session of the General Assembly, 2010. 3 Organization of American States, Declaration of Lima: Peace, Security, and Cooperation in the Americas (AG/DEC.63/40/O.10), 2010. 4 Organization of American States, OAS Adopts Declaration of Lima upon Closing its 40th General Assembly, 2010. 5 Organization of American States, OAS Reaffirms its Commitment to the Reconstruction and Development of Haiti and Pays

Homage to the Victims of the Earthquake, 2011. 6 Marc Lacey, Latin America Still Divided Over Coup in Honduras, 2010. 7 Organization of American States, Resolution on the Situation in Honduras (AG/RES.2531/40/O.10), 2010. 8 Organization of American States, Charter of the Organization of American States, 1993.

I. Elimination of All Forms of Racial and Indigenous Discrimination, Immigration Intolerance, and Xenophobia

Recent Developments The OAS celebrated International Human Right’s Day on December 15, 2010.9 During the meeting, Santiago Canton, Executive Secretary of the IACHR, described a plethora of successes and improvements that American nations have made in recent months.10 Among these, Canton discussed “progressive recognition of the collective rights of indigenous peoples to their land and the repeal of insult laws in some ten countries of the Americas.”11 Canton’s sentiments were received warmly in the meeting, and this progress shows that the American states are recognizing the rights of indigenous people, and are working towards preventing cultural discrimination in the Americas. Migratory trends have varied over time, and have been the ongoing result of civil wars, natural disasters, resource shortages, economic and environmental crises, and political instability.12 While this notion asserts that migratory communities are a vulnerable demographic, Albert Ramdin, the Assistant Secretary General to the Organization of American States on Migration and Development claims that migrant communities can often provide vital benefits to host nations13 Moreover, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), an organ of the OAS, began discussions on a Draft American Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous People in mid-January 2011.14 This proposal was first introduced at the November 1989 General Assembly meeting of the OAS, and this meeting will finally begin the process of creating a region-specific declaration.15 The idea to create the declaration was included in a 1992 resolution, when the OAS discussed the necessity to have the IACHR discuss a “juridical instrument relative to the rights of the Indian Peoples.”16 This meeting is scheduled to occur in the coming year, three years after the points of consensus were finally agreed upon.17 The hopes and expectations of this draft declaration are high not only for the OAS, but the development community as a whole.

II. Reducing Illicit Crops and Drug Trafficking

Recent Developments The Organization of American States and its Member States have been working diligently in the latter half of 2010 and through the beginning of the year 2011 in order to combat the proliferation of illicit crops and to slow down and ultimately cease the illegal trafficking of the crops themselves and the drugs synthesized from those crops. Some Member States, especially within Central America, have been working unilaterally and within their own borders in order to accomplish these tasks,18 while others have chosen a bilateral or multilateral approach; as exhibited by the 2009 Merida Initiative.19 The OAS itself has also launched new initiatives in order to foster cooperation with regard to this topic.20 In 2010, a frequent concern for the governments of some OAS Member States was the spike in violence that

9 Organization of American States, OAS Celebrates Human Rights Day, 2010. 10 Organization of American States, OAS Celebrates Human Rights Day, 2010. 11 Organization of American States, OAS Celebrates Human Rights Day, 2010. 12 Ramdin, Albert R., Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States on Migration and Development: An

Integral Approach to Managing Migration in the Americas, 2007. 13 Ramdin, Albert R., Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States on Migration and Development: An

Integral Approach to Managing Migration in the Americas, 2007. 14 Secretariat for Legal Affairs, Organization for American States, Indigenous Peoples, 2010. 15 Secretariat for Legal Affairs, Organization for American States, Indigenous Peoples, 2010. 16 General Assembly of the Organization of American States, AG/Res 1022, 1989. 17 Secretariat for Legal Affairs, Organization for American States, Indigenous Peoples, 2010. 18 Barraca, Colombia Fights Environmental Damage of Drug Trade, 2010. 19 United States Department of State, The Merida Initiative, 2009. 20 Organization of American States, OAS Assistant Secretary-General Calls for Review of Measures to Fight Drug Trafficking in

the Western Hemisphere, 2010.

occurred as a direct result of the movement and sale of illicit substances. The border area between Mexico and the United States in particular has been noted as a “hotbed” for drug-related violence. The BBC reported that 2010 was the “bloodiest year so far” with regard to violent conflict related to drug trafficking, citing a figure released by the Mexican government which noted 12,456 drug related deaths in the past year (compared to 30,196 over the past four years).21 Violence has spread throughout the nation and even beyond its borders.22 The Merida Initiative was introduced in 2009 as a long-term program to increase cooperation between Mexico, the United States, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, and Central America to help control drug trafficking and related violence through increased law enforcement, with the United States' government helping to supply necessary technology and funding for the initiative. The long-term implications of this relatively new program remain to be seen.23 The United States, in a surprising move, has also been cooperating with Cuba in order to address the issue of drug trafficking across national borders. Cuba, once a Member State of the OAS, was expelled partially due to diplomatic pressure from the United States. However, it was revealed through the internet leak of U.S. diplomatic cables by Wikileaks that because Jamaican smugglers have been using land, sea, and airspace within Cuba's borders in order to move illicit drugs destined for the coasts of the United States, the two nations have chosen to work together to address this issue of international and regional concern. Cuba stated that the United States must eliminate demand for illegal substances within its own borders, and has been utilizing advanced technology in order to secure its borders. Both nations intent to pressure the government of Jamaica to address the issue as well.24 Colombia has recently launched an independent campaign in order to address the environmental damage that continues to occur as a result of the cultivation and processing of illicit drugs. As is the case with many other OAS Member States, Colombia's environment is particularly sensitive in some areas, and its biodiversity and the health of its native flora and fauna is greatly damaged by all stages of the drug trade, from clearing space to grow the crops necessary to synthesize illegal drugs to trafficking the finished product to distributors and to drug users. For this reason, the Colombian government has implemented an awareness program, which includes ad campaigns for children, informational pamphlets and reading material for adults, and appeals to regional governments to help address this dangerous consequence.25 At a recent session of the Inter-American Commission for Drug Abuse Control (CICAD), a commission operating under the Organization of American States, Assistant Secretary-General Albert Ramdin urged Member States to analyze their own problems and the solutions currently being implemented in the region in order to streamline future efforts.26 Additionally, Ramdin stressed the importance of cooperation, stating that “no country acting alone [is] capable of fully combating the consequences of organized crime, drug trafficking and consumption.”27 Clearly, several Member States have taken advice such as this to heart, acting together in order to combat common problems related to the drug trade.28 At the same session, which took place from December 6th through December 8th, 2010, Suriname and Argentina were elected Chair and Vice Chair of CICAD. This change in leadership could potentially mean new directions for the CICAD's and the OAS' efforts to combat the drug trade.29

21 British Broadcasting Corporation, Q&A: Mexico's Drug-Related Violence, 2011. 22 British Broadcasting Corporation, Q&A: Mexico's Drug-Related Violence, 2011. 23 United States Department of State, The Merida Initiative, 2009. 24 Lister, Cables reveal U.S.-Cuban cooperation over drug smuggling, 2010. 25 Barraca, Colombia Fights Environmental Damage of Drug Trade, 2010. 26 Organization of American States, OAS Assistant Secretary-General Calls for Review of Measures to Fight Drug Trafficking in

the Western Hemisphere, 2010. 27 Organization of American States, OAS Assistant Secretary-General Calls for Review of Measures to Fight Drug Trafficking in



the Western Hemisphere, 2010.

III. Cultural Sensitivity in Reconstruction Efforts and International Aid Deployment

Recent Developments The Organization of American States (OAS) has always been concerned about the protection of cultural rights, as witnessed by the passage of the Protocol of San Salvador.30 Article 14 of the 1988 Protocol of San Salvador discusses the necessity to protect cultural, economic, and social rights.31 The OAS has shown that it is essential to protect cultural rights, especially in reconstruction efforts by the way they are approaching reconstruction efforts in Haiti. In the past months, all the information regarding cultural sensitivity in reconstruction efforts and international aid deployment has been in regards to Haiti, and the reconstruction of the country after a devastating earthquake that took place there on January 12, 2010.32 During March 21-23, 2010, the Haitian Diaspora Forum took place to talk about the reconstruction efforts and how they would approach reconstruction of the region.33 Many of the recommendations by the forum analyze how important cultural aspects of the reconstruction efforts are. The recommendations of the Forum included protecting the social and cultural aspects by international aid agencies in terms of distributing food and other forms of aid.34 Also recommended was the necessity to protect culture during international adoption, the creation of mental health facilities, and while caring for Haitian children and families.35 The forum also suggested creating a culturally relevant education curriculum in order to help the Haitian people ready to enter the workforce to help redevelop their own nation. The Haitian Diaspora Forum also analyzed the need to use the cultural and social norms of the Haitian people to effectively aid the Haitian people.36 From the deliberations that took place at the forum, it is clear that the protection of cultural rights is essential, and it is necessary for both international aid workers and the Haitian people themselves to work towards protecting the Haitian culture. The OAS sees cultural sensitivity in reconstruction efforts and international aid deployment as a right that is necessary to protect. This was made clear by the passing of the Protocol of San Salvador in 1988, and has continued to be recognizable by the recommendations made by the Haitian Diaspora Forum. Currently, the most recent catastrophic disaster has occurred in Haiti, and the OAS is attempting to help in the reconstruction efforts and is attempting to do so in a culturally sensitive manner.

Annotated Bibliography Committee History Lacey, M. (2010,). Latin America Still Divided Over Coup in Honduras. The New York Times. Retrieved January11, 2011 from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/06/world/americas/06honduras.html?_r=1&ref=honduras

This news article discusses the political environment surrounding the situation in Honduras building up to the OAS General Assembly 40th Regular Session meeting in Peru. The article points out that OAS Member States are divided over how exactly to deal with the situation in Honduras. While the United States appears to favor removing

30 Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, Basic Documents Pertaining to Human Rights in the Inter-American System,

2010. 31 Organization of American States: Department of International Law, Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human

Rights in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights ‘Protocol of San Salvador’, 1988. 32 Organization of American States, OAS Reaffirms its Commitment to the Reconstruction and Development of Haiti and Pays

Homage to the Victims of the Earthquake, 2011. 32 Organization of American States, Program for the Haitian Diaspora Forum: Contributing to a Strategic Plan for

Reconstruction and Development in Haiti, 2010. 33 Organization of American States, Recommendations from the Haitian Diaspora Forum: Contributing to a Strategic Plan for



Reconstruction and Development in Haiti, 2010. 36 Organization of American States, Recommendations from the Haitian Diaspora Forum: Contributing to a Strategic Plan for Reconstruction and Development in Haiti, 2010.

Honduras’ suspension from active participation in the hemispheric body, many Latin American countries still do not recognize the Honduras government as legitimate and call for the immediate reinstatement of President Jose Manuel Zelaya Rosales.

Organization of American States. (2010). OAS Adopts Declaration of Lima upon Closing its 40th General Assembly. Retrieved January 11, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-239/10

The Press release deals specifically with the adoption of the Declaration of Lima by the OAS General Assembly during the final session of the 40th Regular Session meeting held in Peru. In addition, the Press release underscores the central role that the goals of peace, security and cooperation play in the Declaration and highlights important topics discussed at the Regular Session meeting.

Organization of American States. (2010). Declaration of Lima: Peace, Security, and Cooperation in the Americas

(AG/DEC.63/40/O.10). Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/en/about/general_assembly.asp The Declaration of Lima represents the principle declaration adopted during the 40th General Assembly meeting. While the Declaration deals with a broad range of topics, its main focus is on the OAS’ continued commitment to the goals of peace and security amongst Member States. The Declaration also reaffirms the obligation OAS Member States have to respect international law and further promote cooperation in the Western Hemisphere.

Organization of American States. (1993). Charter of the Organization of American States. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/dil/treaties_A-41_Charter_of_the_Organization_of_American_States.htm

The Charter of the Organization of American States is the principle pan-American treaty, which officially brought the OAS into existence. The Charter was adopted in 1948, but has since been amended multiple times. The Charter of OAS is a good source for rules and procedures used by the OAS. The Charter also outlines its structure, mandates and powers.

Organization of American States. (2011). OAS Reaffirms its Commitment to the Reconstruction and Development of Haiti and Pays Homage to the Victims of the Earthquake. Retrieved January 12, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-501/11

The Press release discusses the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States and its Secretary General, José Miguel Insulza, continued commitment to the reconstruction and development of Haiti. This comes after a special session convened on the first anniversary of the earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince. The Press release also discusses plans the OAS intends to taking in the upcoming months to help encourage long-term sustainability and promote lasting democracy in the country of Haiti.

I. Elimination of All Forms of Racial and Indigenous Discrimination, Immigration Intolerance, and Xenophobia General Assembly of the Organization of American States. (1989). AG/Res 1022. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://scm.oas.org/pdfs/agres/ag03803E01.PDF.

This document contains all the resolutions passed by the Organization of American States (OAS) during the nineteenth regular session that took place in Washington, DC, United States in November of 1989. Delegates should focus their attention to AG/Res. 1022, which begins on page 116 of the document. This resolution recognizes the need for an overarching document relating to the rights of the indigenous peoples. The idea behind the document began in 1989 with this resolution, and many of the resolutions passed on this topic after 1989 refer back to this document because this was the starting point for the draft American declaration on indigenous people.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. (2010). Basic Documents Pertaining to Human Rights in the Inter-American System. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://www.cidh.oas.org/Basicos/English/Basic1.%20Intro.htm.

These documents will be of vital importance when discussing this topic largely because it will remain pertinent to not repeat information in documents that the inter-American system has already passed. By having knowledge of these documents, delegates will be able to integrate these documents into resolutions on this topic. These documents also are important because these are all the documents that the inter-American system has agreed upon when it comes to human rights. This topic will largely be focused on human rights issues, so understanding these documents is crucial..

Organization of American States. (2010). OAS Celebrates Human Rights Day. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-489/10.

This press release by the OAS discusses the celebration of Human Rights Day by the OAS on December 15, 2010. The press release quotes many individuals who discuss many human rights violations that are continuing to occur today. Also discussed in the article are the things that have changed for the better by many nations in the OAS. The press release discusses both challenges and improvements that have occurred in the inter-American system in terms of human rights.

Ramdin, A. (2007). Assistant Secretary General of the Organization of American States on Migration and Development: An Integral Approach to Managing Migration in the Americas. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/speech.asp?sCodigo=07-0042.

This speech, given by the Assistant Secretary-General of the OAS on Migration and Development, is important because it is given from the perspective of an individual who engages with issues related to this topic daily as an expert in the field. The information he provides on migration issues is important since migratory communities are often the ones targeted by those intolerant of immigration in their nations. The speech highlights many of the benefits that migratory communities have brought with them into other nations, and on what needs to be done to help protect these communities.

Secretariat for Legal Affairs, Organization for American States. (2010). Indigenous Peoples. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/dil/indigenous_peoples_preparing_draft_american_declaration.htm.

This website is important because it provides important information on the Draft American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous people. Whatever occurs during the conference in mid-January will be important because the conference will highlight the goals that the inter-American community wants to include in an overarching declaration. The outcome of the meeting will likely influence debate during the conference, and thus this website, and the sites stemming from this website, will likely be very insightful resources for delegates in their preparation to discuss this topic.

II. Reducing Illicit Crops and Drug Trafficking Barraca, S. (2010). Colombia Fights Environmental Damage of Drug Trade. Accessed January 9, 2011 from http://www.dialogo-americas.com/en_GB/articles/rmisa/features/regional_news/2010/12/28/COLOMBIA_ENVIRONMENT_DRUGS.

This article focuses on the environmental impact of the growth, processing, and trade of illegal crops, and specifically on Colombia's own battle against the environmental consequences. It discusses a recent push by the Colombian government to educate civilians as well as government officials on the future consequences of the proliferation of illicit substances within areas that are especially environmentally sensitive. Diálogo is, overall, a useful resource for news regarding countries in the Western hemisphere.

British Broadcasting Corporation. (2011). Q&A: Mexico's Drug-Related Violence. Accessed January 11, 2011 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-10681249.

This article provides insight into current events in Mexico related to the illicit drug trade and the violence that has occurred as a result of that trade. It also provides a brief history of the Mexican government's efforts to end that violence and topple the organized criminal organizations that have come to control many parts of the country. While it focuses on recent developments in Mexico in particular, it also touches upon issues that affect neighboring states.

Lister, T. Cable News Network (2010). Cables reveal U.S.-Cuban cooperation over drug smuggling. Accessed January 11, 2011 from http://articles.cnn.com/2010-12-16/us/wikileaks.smuggling_1_cuban-officials-drug-traffickers-cuban-border-guard?_s=PM:US.

Many of the cables released in the U.S. Wikileaks fiasco regarded the government of the United States' participation in combating drug trafficking, including one that revealed that the Untied States has been cooperating strongly with Cuba, a former OAS Member State, on eliminating drug smuggling across international air and sea space in the Western hemisphere. This article provides insight into the specifics of this surprising development in diplomacy between the two nations. The information here serves as evidence that cooperation on this issue has increased drastically, even between nations with histories political and diplomatic dispute.

Organization of American States. (2010). OAS Assistant Secretary-General Calls for Review of Measures to Fight Drug Trafficking in the Western Hemisphere. Retrieved January 9, 2011 from http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-470/10.

This press release from the Organization of American states provides some insight into recent developments within CICAD, a commission focused on controlling the use of illegal drugs within OAS Member State. It contains statements by the OAS' Assistant Secretary-General from a recent CICAD session in which Member States were encouraged to evaluate multilateral efforts against the drug trade. This press release is helpful in understanding the position of the OAS on current steps being taken to combat drug trafficking.

United States Department of State. (2009). The Merida Initiative. Retrieved January 9, 2011 from http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/fs/122397.htm.

This document includes the full text of the United States' Merida Initiative, which discusses cooperative efforts with other OAS Member States against drug trafficking. This may be utilized as an example of an effort by Member States to work collectively toward a multilateral solution to the drug problem in the Western hemisphere. The document includes provisions for funding, technology, and communication between the states mentioned, and it explains specifically how the United States plans to provide material assistance in the battle against drug trafficking throughout the region.

III. Cultural Sensitivity in Reconstruction Efforts and International Aid Deployment Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. (2010). Basic Documents Pertaining to Human Rights in the Inter-American System. Retrieved January 10, 2011 from Inter-American Commission on Human Rights site http://www.cidh.oas.org/Basicos/English/Basic1.%20Intro.htm.

These documents will be of vital importance when discussing this topic largely because it will remain pertinent to not repeat information in documents that the inter-American system has already passed. By having knowledge of these documents, delegates will be able to integrate these documents into resolutions on this topic. These documents also are important because these are all the documents that the inter-American system has agreed upon when it comes to human rights.

Organization of American States: Department of International Law. (1988). Additional Protocol to the American Convention on Human Rights in the Area of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights ‘Protocol of San Salvador.’ Retrieved January 13, 2011 from the Organization of American States site http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/treaties/a-52.html.

This treaty was one of the first treaties passed by the OAS when it came to recognizing economic, social, and cultural rights of people. This treaty is important to understand because portions of this treaty could be worked into a potential resolution or could be used as grounds for justifying a particular proposed operative clause. Delegates should refer themselves to Article 14 of the treaty, as this is the most pertinent to this particular topic.

Organization of American States. (2011). OAS Reaffirms its Commitment to the Reconstruction and Development of Haiti and Pays Homage to the Victims of the Earthquake. Retrieved January 13, 2011 from the Organization of American States site http://www.oas.org/en/media_center/press_release.asp?sCodigo=E-501/11.

The OAS released this press release on the first anniversary of the Haitian earthquake that killed many Haitian people. This release outlines the OAS’s commitment to the nation of Haiti and its commitment to helping Haiti rebuild. Delegates may use this press release as a way to obtain background information about the earthquake, but the press release will not aid delegates for much more than that.

Organization of American States. (2010). Program for the Haitian Diaspora Forum: Contributing to a Strategic Plan for Reconstruction and Development in Haiti. Retrieved January 12, 2011 from the Organization of American States site www.oas.org/en/ser/dia/docs/Program_Haitian_Diaspora_Forum.DOC.

This is the program for the Haitian Diaspora Forum that took place from March 21-23, 2010. This document discusses the goals for the conference and how and where the conference will take place, and why this forum was put together in the first place. The document is helpful in terms of

understanding the basis for the conference, but is not very helpful in order to help delegates understand this topic.

Organization of American States. (2010). Recommendations of the Haitian Diaspora Forum: Contributing to a Strategic Plan for Reconstruction and Development in Haiti. Retrieved January 12, 2011 from the Organization of American States site www.oas.org/en/ser/dia/docs/HaitiEnglish.pdf.

When it comes to information coming out of the Haitian Diaspora Forum, this is the document to look at. This committee of individuals was brought together by the OAS at the OAS headquarters to discuss recommendations for the reconstruction of Haiti, and the plan is to take these recommendations to the United Nations (UN) and have them be approved by the UN. It will be helpful for delegates to look over these recommendations and keep them in mind when discussing this topic.