Parliamentary work and human prosperity

Congressman Yonhy Lescano Ancieta-Peru

Peoples’ feeling after the Summit of the Americas is usually that of frustration, since little progress is made in furthering the wellbeing of the vast majorities of our continent in spite of the usual speeches, the high-sounding sessions and the passionate joint statements.The V Summit, to be held next April in the city of Port-of-Spain -located in the beautiful Caribbean island of Trinidad and Tobago-, embodies, once again, the hope of reaching agreements that all Latin American governments should assist in executing, particularly those that should take the lead due to their continental leadership, greater development or wealth.

On the Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain

Senator Cecilia López Montaño-Colombia

In relation to this declaration, the central theme of the next Summit of the Americas to be held in Trinidad and Tobago, I would like to raise some points with which I totally agree and which have also been the main pillars of my job as a Senator in Colombia.

I do believe that the promotion of greater opportunities for decent work in the region is crucial. This is, in my view, the main tool that a State must turn to in order to get out of the perturbing trap that poverty sets. I also think that we must channel our efforts into real, high-quality education as the main driver for our citizens’ progress.

The Mexican Parliament and its Role in the Current Situation

Deputy Salvador Ruiz Sánchez-Mexico

V Summit of the Americas: The Role of Parliaments and Related Implications. In order to answer this question, we must first understand the meaning of the term Parliament. Javier Orozco Gómez provides the following definition: “It is the political institution where domestic affairs are discussed and the place where a country’s different ideological trends converge to represent the concerns of its peoples.”

We therefore act as the link between citizens and government bodies; we act as the voice of the people, in the face of the difficulties faced by or country.

Towards Parliamentary Participation in the Summit of the Americas

Mr. James Bezan, M.P.

I found the article by Ms. Rut Diamint very interesting.  On many occasions she refers to the importance of the presence of parliamentarians in the Summit process and how they can serve as an efficient communication medium between the citizens and the decision bodies.

I agree that there is great value to this role as an intermediary, but we, as parliamentarians, have not and currently are not involved in the Summit process.  Nor have we been directly invited to participate in it in the past.  The upcoming Summit in Trinidad and Tobago has however extended an invitation to parliamentarians to be involved, albeit in some undefined capacity.

Obama and Latin America: The Right Time for Regional Integration

Iván Moreira Barros
FIPA Vice President
Deputy of Chile

The Summit of the Americas has become a wonderful forum for a high-level discussion on Latin America’s current and future situation. In preparation for the V Summit, to be held in Port of Spain in April 2009, Parliamentarians from all over the region should strive to gain a deep understanding of the current financial crisis and its complexities against the backdrop of Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Multilateralism, Parliamentary Diplomacy and Political Dialogue

Rut Diamint

I. The slogan for next year’s Summit of the Americas is “Securing Our Citizens’ Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability”. The Summit process is a mechanism designed to promote dialogue, multilateralism and social inclusion, which offers parliamentarians the opportunity to make the voice of civil society heard.

A growing awareness of the global challenges facing our hemisphere leads us to share approaches and values, harmonising initiatives designed to secure progress, prosperity and peace for our nations. Dialogue at the Summits of the Americas contributes to regional governance, but that governance will not become evident if it excludes all government institutions and the participation of stakeholders from the private, non-governmental sphere.

In such a context, legislators play a decisive role, exercising democracy at a multilateral level, strengthening the division of powers and representing their citizens. They translate the demands and needs of society into actions and decisions which, due to the very nature of globalisation, have a growing impact in the field of foreign policy. It is an exercise in pluralism, and in building both consensus and confidence.

Our blog, our continent, our future

Luiz C. Hauly

BlogAmericas looks forward to your contribution to its first Forum: “V Summit of the Americas: The role of Parliaments and its associated implications”