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Briefings and Tours
  
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OAS briefings are offered to
diplomats, government officials, military officers, university
faculty, policy analysts and students, as well as to the general
public. The briefings are given by the Director of the
Department of External Relations, Irene Klinger, and senior
specialists from the various departments of the organization.
Briefings are tailored to the specific interests of the visiting
groups, covering political, social, legal and economic issues in
the Americas as well as the work of the organization. These
briefings include tours of the facilities and an historical
overview of the organization. For more information on OAS
briefings, please contact Irene Klinger, Director, Department of
External Relations at (202) 458-6072 or
iklinger@oas.org |
List of Briefings - April - July 2009
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July 29, 2009
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On July 29, 7
participants from Meridian International Center
visited the Historic OAS Main Building. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations escorted the group
on a guided tour of the building. Irene Klinger,
Director, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave a general
overview of the Organization. The
session concluded with Laura Martínez, Head Legal
Official, Department of Legal Cooperation, Secretariat
for Legal Affairs
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July 28, 2009
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On July 28,
47 members of the Western Hemisphere Institute for
Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) visited the OAS
Historic Main Building. Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations escorted the group on a guided tour
of the OAS Main Building. Irene Klinger, Director,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, gave the group a general overview
on the Organization. After a brief Q & A session Raúl
Alconada, Director, Department of Sustainable
Democracy and Special Missions, Secretariat for
Political Affairs, spoke to the participants about
Democracy and its challenges throughout the
Hemisphere. Human Rights was addressed by Karla
Quintana, Human Rights Specialist, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights. The informational
session concluded with Gala Redington, Head Advisor,
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security, who spoke
on the role and programs of the Secretariat for
Multidimensional Security
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July 24, 2009
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On July 24, a
group of 24 U.S. State Department Interns were
escorted on a guided tour of the Main Building by
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. Irene
Klinger, Director, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, gave the
group a general overview of the Organization.
Ambassador Hector E. Morales, Permanent Representative
of the U.S. Mission to the Organization of American
States, went on to outline the role of the U.S. to the
OAS. The visit concluded with a guided visit to
the Art Museum conducted by Adriana Ospina, Docent,
Art Museum of the Americas
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July 22, 2009
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On July 22, 38 summer
scholars from George Washington University visited the
OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations gave the group a guided tour of the
Historic OAS Main Building. Sherry Stephenson, Head,
Institutional Relations, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, gave an
overview of the OAS. The students received information
on the MOAS program by Nelly Robinson, MOAS
Coordinator, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations. The
session concluded with a guided tour of the Art Museum
of the Americas by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art Museum
of the Americas, Department of Cultural Services,
Secretariat for External Relations
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July 21, 2009
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On July 21, 14
student from University UNIDERP received a guided tour
of the OAS Historic Main Building by Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations. Sherry Stephenson,
Head, Institutional Relations, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave an overview of the Organization. The
students received information on the MOAS program by
Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations. The session concluded with Mr. Marcus
Arbizu De Souza Campos, Counselor, Alternate
Representative, Permanent Mission of Brazil to the
OAS, outlining Brazil’s role as a Permanent Member
to the OAS
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July 20, 2009
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On July 20, 25
students from Presidential Classroom were welcomed and
given a brief tour of the Historic Main Building by
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. Nelly
Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, spoke about the MOAS program. Hilaire
Sobers, Human Rights Specialist, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, briefed the students on
Human Rights. An overview on Multidimensional
Security was given by Ambassador Alexandre Addor-Neto,
Secretary, Secretariat for Multidimensional
Security. Claudia S. de Windt, Senior Legal
Specialist, Chief Environmental Law, Policy and Good
Governance, Department of Sustainable
Development, finalized by outlining the challenges of
Sustainable Development and the Environment
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July 17, 2009
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On July 17, 9
participants of Interaction Times were escorted on a
tour of the OAS Historic Main Building by Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. Sherry
Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave an overview of the OAS. Nelly
Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, spoke about the MOAS program. The
session finalized with a presentation on the role of
Brazil as a Permanent Member Country to the OAS
by Ambassador Ruy de Lima Casaes e Silva, Permanent
Representative of Brazil to the OAS, Minister
Counselor Lineu Pupo De Paula, and other members from
the Permanent Mission of Brazil to the OAS
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July 16, 2009
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On July 16, 39
students from La Universidad Pontificia de Comillas attending
Georgetown University's program 'Inside Washington,
Law Development and Diplomacy' visited the OAS
Historic Main Building. Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, took the students on a guided tour
of the building. Irene Klinger, Director, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave the students an overview of the
organization. Víctor Madrigal Borloz, Coordinator of
Records, Executive Secretariat, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, spoke on the Commission’s
work in the area of Human Rights. The visit was
concluded with Ambassador Javier Sancho, Permanent
Representative of Spain to the OAS, greeting the
students and outlining Spain’s role as a Permanent
Observer Mission to the OAS.
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July 13, 2009
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On July 13, 15 high
school teachers from throughout the U.S. attending a
seminar at Georgetown University received a guided
tour of the OAS Historic Main Building with Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. Sherry
Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, delivered an overview of the OAS and
finished with a brief Q & A session
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July 11, 2009
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On July 11, 15
professionals from the Foreign Service Institute
visited the OAS. The group was led on a tour of the
OAS Historic Main Building by Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations. An Overview of
the Institution followed, delivered by Sherry
Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations
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July 9, 2009
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On July 9, 14
students from Trinity University received a guided
tour of the Historic OAS Main Building with Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. Sherry
Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations gave an OAS overview and finished with a Q
& A session for the students
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July 8, 2009
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On July 8, the OAS
received 43 military personnel from El Colegio de
Altos Estudios Estratégicos de El Salvador (CAEE).
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs welcomed the group and escorted them on a
guided tour of the OAS Main Building. Irene Klinger,
Director, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave an overview
of the Organization. After a brief question and answer
session, Moises Benamor, Head Specialist, Department
of State Modernization and Good Governance,
Secretariat for Political Affairs, spoke about
democracy and its challenges. Gala Redington,
Advisor, Secretariat for Multidimensional Security,
gave an overview on multidimensional security and the
challenges it presents in Central America. Norma
Colledani, Human Rights Specialist, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, briefed on the area of
human rights. The session concluded with Ambassador
Francisco Esteban Laínez, Permanent Representative of
the Mission of El Salvador to the OAS outlining the
role of El Salvador as a Permanent Representative to
the Organization.
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June 29, 2009
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On Monday, June 29, 24 students from “Parlamento
Juvenil de la República Dominicana” visited the OAS.
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, escorted
the students on a tour of the Historic Main Building.
Jorge Sanin, Head, Permanent Observer Countries &
Civil Society, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave them an
overview of the OAS. Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, gave them and overview of the MOAS
program. Francisco Cruz, Counselor, Permanent Mission
of the Dominican Republic to the OAS welcomed the
students and spoke about the role of the Mission of
the Dominican Republic, its work and accomplishments
as a member of the OAS Permanent Council
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June 26, 2009
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On
June 26, 31 military personnel from Academia Nacional
de Estudios Políticos y Estratégicos de Chile (ANEPE)
visited the OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, welcomed the group and
escorted them on a guided tour of the OAS Main
Building. Irene Klinger, Director, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave an overview of the Organization. Raul
Lago, Advisor, Secretariat for Political Affairs,
gave an overview on democracy. Abraham Stein,
Director, Department for the Coordination of Policies
and Programs of Multidimensional Security, Secretariat
for Multidimensional Security, gave them an overview
on the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.
Verónica Gómez, Head Specialist, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, gave an overview
on human rights
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June 25, 2009
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On
June 25, 20 Smithsonian Resident Associates visited
the OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, escorted the group on a tour of the
Historic Main Building and briefed the group on the
Organization. Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art Museum of
the Americas, Department of Cultural Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, took them on a
guided tour of the Art Museum of the Americas.
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June 24, 2009
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On
June 24, 8 Representatives from CIFAL Atlanta visited
the OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, escorted the group on a tour of the
Historic Main Building. Jorge Sanin, Head, Permanent
Observer Countries & Civil Society, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave them an overview of the OAS. Betty
Arevalo, Specialist, Department of Human Resources,
gave the group an overview of the OAS Internship
Program.
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June 23, 2009
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On
June 23rd 10 members of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum
of the Americas (FIPA) visited the OAS. They were
greeted by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations who gave them a Tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building. Adam Blackwell, Secretary, Secretariat
for External Relations gave them an overview on the
Organization
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June 19, 2009
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On
June 19, 22 Intern Residents from the Pan American
Health Organization visited the OAS main building.
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, escorted them on a guided tour of the OAS
Main Building. Irene Klinger, Director, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave them an overview of the organization.
Fabian Gonçalves, Exhibit Coordinator, Art Museum of
the Americas, Department of Cultural Affairs,
Secretary for External Relations, escorted them on a
guided tour of the Art Museum of the Americas
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June 18, 2009
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On
June 18, 65 OAS summer interns received a tour of the
OAS Main Building with Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, & Andres
Serafini, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations. Sherry Stephenson,
Head, Institutional Relations, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave them an overview of the OAS
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June 17, 2009
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On
June 17, a group of 55 students with the Global Young
Leaders Conference visited the OAS. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave them a tour
of the historic OAS building. Yadira Soto, Advisor,
Office of the Assistant Secretary General, gave them
an overview of the OAS. Nelly Robinson, MOAS
Coordinator, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave them and
overview of the MOAS program.
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June 11, 2009
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On
June 11, 39 Graduate Students from American University
Washington College of Law visited the OAS. Santiago
Cantón, Executive Secretary, Inter-American Commission
on Human Rights, gave them a briefing on human rights
at the General Secretariat Building. Subsequently, the
students came to the OAS Historic Main Building where
they received a tour with Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations.
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June 10, 2009
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On
June 10, the OAS received a visit of 20 Smithsonian
Resident Associates. Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, gave them a tour of the historic
building and an overview of the Organization.
Subsequently, Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art Museum of
the Americas, Department of Cultural Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, took them on a
guided tour of the museum
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June 3, 2009
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On
June 3, 10 Participants attending a summer session on
Conflict Analysis and Resolution at George Mason
University visited the OAS. The group received a tour
of the Main Building by Andres Serafini, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations. Sherry Stephenson, Head, Institutional
Relations, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave an overview
of the organization. Jorge Baxter, Education
Specialist, Department of Education and Culture,
Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, spoke
on educational curriculum development and training.
Pablo Zuñiga, Director, Department of State
Modernization and Good Governance, Secretariat for
Political Affairs, continued with an overview on the
promotion of democracy. The session concluded with
Alexandra Barrantes & Rosanna Martinelli, Department
of Social Development, Executive Secretariat for
Integral Development, giving an overview on the OAS
social charter
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May 22, 2009
On
May 22, 45 Middle School Students from E.L. Haynes
Public Charter School visited the OAS. They were given
a tour of the OAS Main Building by Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations. The Assistant
Secretary General Ambassador Albert Ramdin was the
invited guest speaker for the students. After their
briefing the group was led through the underground
tunnel with its famous murals “Roots of Peace”,
painted by the Uruguayan Artist, Carlos Páez Villaró,
and finished their visit with a tour of the exposition
by Haitian Artist Hector Hyppolite by Adriana Ospina,
Docent, Art Museum of the Americas
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May 21, 2009
On
May 21, 22 Students from Roanoke College and 7
Students and their Professor from Southern Virginia
University were welcomed at the OAS by Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs who
provided a tour of the OAS Main Building. Sherry
Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations offered a brief insight on the OAS and its
work throughout the region. Ms. Hommes then lead the
group to the Art Museum of the Americas to view the
exposition of Hector Hyppolite of Haiti
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May 19, 2009
On
May 19, a group of 34 Residents from the Pan American
Health Organization visited the Main Building of the
Organization of American States. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs
greeted them with a tour and brief introduction of the
OAS. Sherry Stephenson, Chief, Institutional
Relations, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations gave an extensive
overview on the Organization.
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May 14, 2009
On
May 14, The Miranda Room was the site for a welcome
and introduction by Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with
Permanent Observers and Civil Society, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations to members of the Embassy of Korea. They
were also given a tour of the OAS Main Building and an
overview of the OAS by Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations as well as a visit to the Art
Museum of the Americas
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May 13, 2009
On
May 13, 40 middle school students from California
attending La Cumbre Jr. High School, visited the OAS.
The students received a tour of OAS Historic Main
Building and an Overview on the Organization by Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs. The visit also included a tour of the Art
Museum with Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art Museum of the
Americas, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat
for External Relations
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May 8, 2009
On
Friday, May 8th, the Organization of American States
received a group of students from the University of
Sherbrooke located in Quebec, Canada. They were
greeted by Ms. Aline Hommes who offered them a tour of
the Main Building. Afterwards an overview of the
organization was given by Ambassador Adam Blackwell,
Secretary for External Relations. Human Rights were
addressed by Mario Lopez, Senior Human Rights
Specialist and Ambassador Graeme C. Clark, Permanent
Representative of Canada to the OAS spoke of his role
as Ambassador and the accomplishments of the Permanent
Mission of Canada as a member of the Organization of
American States.
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April 24, 2009
On April 24, 13 juridical
professionals from Latin America with Meridian
International Center visited the Organization of
American States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, received the group and led them on a tour
of the Historic OAS Main Building. The participants
were given an overview of the OAS by Sherry
Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations. The program concluded with a discussion on
international law with Luis Toro, Senior Legal
Advisor, Department of International Law, Secretariat
for Legal Affairs.
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April 23, 2009
On April 23, 15 students
participating in the Model OAS representing Trinidad &
Tobago, and 7 staff members from the North Warren
County High School visited the Organization of
American States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, received the group, led them on a tour of
the Historic OAS Main Building and gave them an
overview of the organization.
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April 20, 2009
On
April 20, 18 high school seniors and freshman
university students from Nicaragua and Venezuela,
accompanied by 7 staff members with Partners of the
Americas visited the Organization of American States.
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, received
the group and led them on a tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building. Pablo Zuñiga, Senior Specialist,
Department of State Modernization and Good Governance,
Secretariat for Political Affairs, led an interactive
and lively discussion on democracy and democratic
values. Juliana Bedoya, Consultant, Department of
Education and Culture, Executive Secretariat for
Integral Development, briefed the students on the
importance of democratic principles and
practices. Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, concluded the program with a
presentation on the Model OAS.
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April 15, 2009
On
April 15, 16 students from Spain studying
International law, political science and economics
from the Asociación Internacional de Juristas INTER
IURIS paid a visit to the Organization of American
States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations led the group on a tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building. Sherry Stephenson, Head, Institutional
Relations, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations gave them an
overview on the Organization. Counselor Jose Maria de
la Torre greeted the students and gave them an
overview of the role of Spain as a Permanent Observer
to the Organization of American States.
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April 14, 2009
On
April 14, 43 high school students from throughout the
United States participating with the Close-Up
Foundation visited the Organization of American
States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, received the group, led them on a tour of
the Historic OAS Main Building and gave them an
overview of the organization.
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April 8, 2009
On
April 8, 11 representatives from the League of Women
Voters of Maryland visited the Organization of
American States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, received the group, led them on a tour of
the Historic OAS Main Building and gave them an
overview of the organization. The program concluded
with a visit to the Art Museum of the Americas to view
the exposition – Space Unlimited.
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April 6, 2009
On
April 6, 54 participants comprised of 30 Puerto Rican
students and 24 Mexican professionals with The
Washington Center for Internships visited the
Organization of American States. The group was
welcomed and led on a tour of the Historic OAS Main
Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations. An Overview of the OAS was delivered by
Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with Permanent Observers
and Civil Society, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. To
conclude the visit Betty Arevalo, Intern Coordinator,
Department of Human Resources, gave an informative
power point presentation on Communication and
Negotiation Skills.
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April 6, 2009
On April 6, 8 Argentinean
university students from La Universidad de la Matanza,
visited the Organization of American States. The group
was welcomed and led on a tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations. An Overview of the OAS was delivered by
Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with Permanent Observers
and Civil Society, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
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April 3, 2009
On April 3, 9 high school
students from upstate New York’s Hadley-Luzerne High
School paid a visit to the Organization of American
States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, received the group and led them on a tour
of the Historic OAS Main Building. Nelly Robinson,
Coordinator MOAS, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations addressed the
students and explained how The Model OAS General
Assembly Program (MOAS) is a simulation of the
proceedings of the General Assembly of the OAS, where
through role-playing; students are given a chance to
represent the OAS Member countries. The briefing
concluded with remarks from Ambassador Hector Morales,
Permanent Representative of the United States to the
OAS.
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April 3, 2009
On April 3, 94 middle school
students from Westfield High School visited the OAS.
Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations and Andrés
Serafini, Department of International Affairs greeted
the students, divided them into two groups and led
them on a tour of the OAS Historic Main Building. The
program also included a walk through the underground
painted tunnel with the theme "Roots of Peace" by
Uruguayan Artist Carlos Páez Vilaró. The visit
concluded with a tour of the Museum of the Americas –
Space Unlimited exhibit – led by Adriana Ospina,
Docent, Art Museum of the Americas, Department of
Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
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