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During the last decade, hemispheric leaders
have concentrated on economic development and political stabilization
after difficult years of dictatorships, armed conflict and
protectionist economies that prevented most Latin American
and Caribbean countries from achieving prosperity and integration.
But despite statistics showing that both the proportion and
absolute number of poor people in Latin America and the Caribbean
have declined in the past decade, poverty remains a serious
problem in the region. The number of Latin Americans living
in poverty is estimated at 159 million-a number almost equal
to the total population of Brazil or of all the other countries
of South America combined. Compounding the problem is the
fact that Latin America has one of the most inequitable income
distributions of any region in the world.
The poor and minorities continue to be excluded
from power in many Latin American societies. A vicious circle
of inadequate education, difficulty accessing capital and
cultural differences contributes to isolate these groups from
the benefits of development. In some countries in the region,
legal discrimination of women, indigenous peoples and others
exacerbates social inequality.
International financial organizations such as
the World Bank and the Inter-American Development Bank support
mechanisms to fight ongoing problems of poverty and discrimination
in the hemisphere. The social policies they propose center
on health, nutrition, employment and education, with a special
focus on children, young people, heads of households, migrant
workers, the elderly, persons with disabilities and other
priority social groups. In addition, many NGOs created in
the last 30 years advocate equality for women, respect for
minorities and preservation of indigenous culture.
The member states of the Organization of American
States (OAS) also have made combating poverty one of their
major objectives. The Washington and Managua Protocols (1992
and 1993), the Special Session of the OAS General Assembly
in Mexico (1994), the Montrois Declaration (1995), the Santa
Cruz de la Sierra Summit on Sustainable Development (1996)
and the Panama Consensus (1996) reiterated social development
as a fundamental challenge for the region as a whole.
In support of hemispheric efforts to promote
social development, the Secretary General of the OAS created
the Unit for Social Development and Education (UDSE) in June
1996. The unit supports member states' efforts to formulate
and implement social and education policies, and encourages
hemispheric dialogue on problems associated with social development,
poverty, education, manpower training and employment.
Most recently, at the Third Summit of the Americas in Quebec
City, the 34 participating countries agreed that eliminating
poverty and discrimination is the main challenge facing the
region. The Summit Plan of Action acknowledges the need for
development financing; improved access to information, both
in rural and urban areas, for micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises; and more opportunities for sustainable entrepreneurship,
productivity and employment among young people. It also advocates
recognition of the positive aspects and benefits of orderly
migration in countries of origin, transit and destination
as a factor contributing to economic growth and national and
regional development.
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