Briefings and Tours

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

Tour Information

List of Briefings - January - March 2009

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March 31, 2009	On March 31, 22 military officers from the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation (WHINSEC) 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.  Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations greeted the officers and provided an overview of the Organization.  Betilde Munoz-Pogossian, Head, Section of Technical Cooperation, Secretariat for Political Affairs spoke on democratic values and the work and programs of the Secretariat for Political Affairs.  Karla Quintana, Human Rights Specialist, Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights addressed the group and briefed them on the significance and work of the Commission on the protection of human rights. A discussion on Multidimensional Security concluded the program, delivered by Rafael Franzini, Executive Assistant Secretary of CICAD, Secretariat for Multidimensional Security.
March 30, 2009	On March 30, 12 high school students from Argentina with Partners of the Americas visited the OAS.  Aline Hommes greeted the students and led them on a tour of the OAS Historic Main Building.  An overview of the OAS was given by Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with Permanent Observers and Civil Society, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  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.
March 30, 2009	On March 30, 6 undergraduate students from The District of Columbia Latino Student Partnership (DCLSP) – a union composed of committed Latino student organizations from post-secondary learning institutions within the Washington, DC metropolitan area – 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. Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, addressed the group and provided them with an overview of the OAS, explaining its commitment in promoting democracy and protecting human rights in the Hemisphere. Nelly Robinson, Model OAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations spoke about the unique opportunity to students who participate in the Model OAS. The visit concluded with a presentation by Betty S. Arevalo, Specialist, Department of Human Resources, on the OAS Internship Program.
March 27, 2009	On March 27, 35 high school students with 10 advisors from Rotary District 7430 Youth Exchange paid a visit to the Organization of American States.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, welcomed the group and led them on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building.  Sherry Stephenson, Chief, Institutional Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, provided the group with an overview of the OAS – with an elaborate explanation of the four pillars on which it stands: Democracy, Human Rights, Multidimensional Security, and Integral Development.  A visit to the Art Museum of the Americas concluded the program, guided by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 26, 2009	On March 26, 25 students from Queensbury High School visited the OAS.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, provided a guided tour of the Main Building.  Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, shared a presentation on the Model OAS.  The students concluded their visit with a tour of the Art Museum of the Americas, where they  viewed, “Space Unlimited,” an exhibition of work by Venezuelan, Puerto Rican and Cuban-American contemporary artists.
March 25, 2009	On March 25, 22 honors participants from Hope College Semester in Washington, DC visited the Organization of American States.  Aline Hommes greeted the group and led them on a tour of the historic OAS Main Building.  An OAS overview followed with Yadira Soto, Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary General to the Organization of American States.  A discussion on Multidimensional Security followed, directed by Carol Fuller, Secretary, Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE).  The program concluded with a visit to the Art Museum of the Americas, guided by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 24, 2009	On March 24, 25 Colombian high school students from el Colegio Nueva Granada visited the OAS.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, welcomed the students and led them on a tour of the Historic Main Building.  A presentation on the Model OAS followed, delivered by Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  A tour of the Art Museum of the Americas concluded the program, conducted by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 24, 2009	On March 24, 33 high school students from the School of Sierra Nevada were greeted and led on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. A presentation of the Model OAS followed with Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, 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.  A visit to the Art Museum concluded the program, with a guided tour by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 23, 2009	On March 23, 22 students from the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University visited the OAS.  The group was greeted and led on a tour of the historic Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with Permanent Observers and Civil Society, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, provided the groups with an Overview of the OAS – touching on its functions and commitments throughout the hemisphere. Migration issues were discussed by Marcia Bebianno, Consultant, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development. Carol Fuller, Secretary, Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee against Terrorism, concluded the program with an overview on the work of the Secretariat for Multidimensional Security in combating international terrorism, drug trafficking, money laundering, illegal arms dealing, trafficking in persons, institutional corruption, and organized crime.
March 20, 2009	On March 20, 22 students from Lake George High School participated in a Briefing of the Organization of American States.  Andrés Serafini, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, greeted the group and guided them on a tour of the Historic Main Building. Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations followed with information on the Model OAS.  The visit concluded with a tour of the Museum of the Americas – Space Unlimited exhibit – led by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 19, 2009	On March 19, 15 law enforcement and criminal justice officials from Latin America with the International Institute, Graduate School, USDA International Visitors Program visited the OAS.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, greeted the group and led them on a tour of the Historic Main Building.  Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, then addressed the group with an overview of the Organization.  Brian D. Sullivan, Project Manager, Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), gave a discourse on Multidimensional Security and the efforts of the OAS in combating drugs, terrorism, and human trafficking throughout the Hemisphere.
March 18, 2009	On March 18, 10 undergraduate finance and international business students from The University of North Florida paid a visit to the Organization of American States.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, guided the group on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building.  Sherry Stephenson, Chief, Institutional Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, provided the students with an overview of the Organization– describing the pillars on which the Organization stands and explaining the functions and role of the OAS .  The students then attended the Lecture Series in the Hall of the Americas where they had the unique opportunity to be addressed by Terry Davis, Secretary General of the Council of Europe. A tour of the Art Museum of the Americas – Space Unlimited Exhibit – concluded the program, led by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 17, 2009	On March 17, 4 Trade Representatives from Panama with Meridian International Center visited the Organization of American States.  The group was led on a tour of the Historic Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. A discourse on trade issues was presented to the group by Rosine Plank-Brumback, Senior Trade Specialist, Department of Trade and Tourism, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development.  An Overview of the Organization concluded the program, presented by Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
March 16, 2009	On March 16, 15 graduate students from American University’s Washington College of Law visited the Organization of American States.  A tour of the Historic Main Building was led by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations presented an overview of the Organization. Analía Banfi, Human Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights followed with a discussion on the role of the OAS and its commitment to protecting human rights in the Hemisphere.  The program concluded with a discussion on international law provided by Luis Toro, Senior Legal Advisor, Department of International Law, Secretariat for Legal Affairs.
March 13, 2009	On March 13, 13 undergraduate students from Penn State Erie visited the OAS.  A tour of the Historic Main Building was led by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  An Overview of the OAS was delivered by Sherry Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations. Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, briefed the students on the Model OAS Program. The visit concluded with a tour of the Art Museum of the Americas,  guided by Adriana Ospina, Docent, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Affairs.
March 9, 2009	On March 9, 105 Ohio Farm Bureau Federation County Presidents included a visit to the Organization of American States during their week-long visit to Washington, DC. The group was welcomed by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, and led on a tour of the Historic Main Building with assistance provided by Stanley R. Márquez, Intern, and Andrés Serafini, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, addressed the group, presenting an overview with emphasis on the 4 pillars of the Organization: Democracy, Human Rights, Multidimensional Security, and Integral Development. A Question & Answer session in relation to OAS policies and trade issues followed, with Dr. Klinger in conjunction with Sherry Stephenson, Head, Institutional Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, concluding the group’s program.
March 6, 2009	On March 6, 12 students from Towson University paid a visit to the Organization of American States.  Andrés Serafini, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, led the group on a tour of the historic Main Building.  An Overview of the OAS followed, presented by Yadira Soto, Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary-General of the OAS.  A discussion of the role of the OAS in protecting and promoting democracy in the Americas was led by Brenda Santamaria, Specialist, Department for Electoral Cooperation and Observation, Secretariat for Political Affairs.  Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, closed the program with a presentation on the Model OAS.
March 6, 2009	On March 6, 32 high school students with NOVA Jack & Jill of America, Inc. visited the OAS for a: International Symposium on Global Warming. The students were welcomed with an opening address delivered by Ambassador Izben C. Williams, Permanent Representative of Saint Kitts and Nevis to the OAS.  A tour of the Historic Main Building followed, led by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Departments of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Kevin Isaac, Advisor to the Assistant Secretary General and Coordinator for the Offices and Units of the General Secretariat in the Member States, provided an Overview of the structure and functions of the OAS. Next, the students met with participating Ambassadors – Ambassador Williams, St. Kitts & Nevis, Ambassador Johnson, Jamaica, Ambassador Mendez, Belize, and Ambassador Minor, Liberia – and participated in a debate and discussion with the Ambassadors on their respective positions of the impact of global warming in relation to their countries. The program concluded with a reception in the OAS Aztec Patio.
March 6, 2009	On March 6, 22 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.  David Morris, Director, Summits Secretariat, finished the program with a discussion on the Fifth Summit of the Americas that will take place in Trinidad and Tobago, April 17 – 19, 2009.
FEBRUARY 26, 2009	On February 26, 62 OAS Interns were welcomed and led on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, and Andrés Serafini, Department of International Affairs.  The program included a visit to the library in the OAS Administrative Building, where Stella Villagran, Head Librarian, Columbus Memorial Library, exposed the group to all the available resources within the library.  A tour of the Art Museum of the Americas followed, led by Nadin Quiros, Intern, Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Affairs, where the interns got the opportunity to explore, “Space Unlimited,” an exhibition of works by Venezuelan, Puerto Rican and Cuban-American contemporary artists.
FEBRUARY 25, 2009	On February 25, 12 students from the University of Maryland, College Park, attended a tour and information session at the OAS.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, welcomed the students and led them on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building.  Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, delivered a description of the Model OAS program, and explained how the students should participate in the OAS Model. Rosine Plank-Brumback, Senior Specialist, Department of Trade and Tourism, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, led a discussion on the multilateral strategies used to reduce the negative impacts of the global recession in finance, investment and trade.  Zakaria El Goumiri, Program Manager, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, closed the program with a presentation on the importance of corporate social responsibility.
FEBRUARY 24, 2009	On February 24, 28 students from Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay with Partners of the Americas visited the OAS.  The students were led on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Pablo Zuñiga, Director, Department for State Modernization and Governance, Secretariat for Political Affairs, gave an overview on the Organization and discussed the role and importance of the OAS in promoting democracy in the Americas. Closing remarks were delivered by Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations on the MODEL OAS.
FEBRUARY 23, 2009	On February 23, 17 participants from la Fundación Universitaria del Río de la Plata (FURP) paid a visit to the Organization of American States.  They were greeted by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, and led on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building.  Irene Klinger, Director, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, delivered a comprehensive overview of the Organization.  Luis Viguria, Assistant Executive Director of the Young American Business Trust (YABT), and Renato Paredes, Chief Financier, YABT, then addressed the group on the purpose and aim of the YABT in the Americas.  Closing the program, Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, presented the group with an explanation of the Model OAS program.
FEBRUARY 19, 2009	On February 19, 25 scholars from Montgomery College visited the OAS.  The students were 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 presented by Sherry Stephenson, Chief, Institutional Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Richard Huber, Principal Environmental Specialist, Department of Sustainable Development, Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, led a discussion on the initiatives the OAS has been undertaking in regards to environmental sustainability in the Western Hemisphere.  Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, closed with a description of the MOAS program and an invitation for Montgomery College to participate in the Model OAS General Assembly.
FEBRUARY 18, 2009	On February 18, 3 Representatives from SOUTHCOM – CN Mauricio Alvear, (Ecuador); CF Jose Cardozo, (Brazil); CF Carlos Huber, (Chile) – visited the Organization of American States.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, welcomed the guests, led them on a tour of the historic OAS Main Building, and provided an overview of the Organization.
FEBRUARY 12, 2009	On February 12, 12 undergraduate students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill visited the Organization of American States.  The students were 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 followed, delivered by Sherry Stephenson, Chief, Institutional Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, closed the session with an explanation of the Model OAS program.
FEBRUARY 10, 2009	On February 10, 250 International High School students with Presidential Classroom’s Model UN Future World Leaders Summit paid a visit to the Organization of American States. The students were welcomed by Guest Speaker, Ambassador Graeme Clark, Permanent Representative of Canada to the OAS, who spoke to them about the importance of multilateral organizations and the role of the OAS as the hemisphere’s premier political forum for multilateral dialogue and action in promoting democracy, protecting human rights, and working with the member countries on problems such as poverty, terrorism, illegal drugs and corruption.  The visit also included a lively dialogue session with Ambassador Clark fielding questions from many of the students.
FEBRUARY 9, 2009	On February 9, 26 International High School Students with Presidential Classroom visited the Organization of American States.  Welcome remarks and a tour of the historic OAS Main Building were provided by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  The group was then addressed by Mario Lopez, Senior Human Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights.  A power point presentation and discussion on sustainable development followed, delivered by Claudia S. de Windt, Senior Legal Specialist, Chief Environmental Law, Policy and Good Governance, Department of Sustainable Development.  Brian D. Sullivan, Project Manager, Inter-American Committee against Terrorism (CICTE), followed with a comprehensive explanation of his Department on the counter-terrorist efforts of the OAS throughout the Hemisphere.
FEBRUARY 9, 2009	On February 9, 20 Chilean second year Cadets from the “Fuerza Aérea de Chile” paid a visit to the Organization of American States.  The Cadets were led on a tour of the historic OAS 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, welcomed the group and provided a comprehensive overview of the Organization.
FEBRUARY 3, 2009	On February 3, 9 international visitors with the International Institute, Graduate School, USDA, visited the OAS.  A tour of the historic OAS Main Building was led by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  This was followed by César Parga, Senior Specialist, Department of Trade and Tourism, Secretariat for Integral Development, focusing his discussion on Intellectual Property Rights Protection in Hemispheric Trade.
FEBRUARY 3, 2009	On February 3, 45 graduate and undergraduate International Business and Trade students from American University visited the OAS.  Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, led the group on a tour of the historic OAS Main Building.  Jane Thery, Chief, OAS-USA Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, provided the group with an Overview of the OAS.  The group was then addressed by César Parga, Senior Specialist, Department of Trade and Tourism, Secretariat for Integral Development, on the future of trade agreements in the Western Hemisphere. Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, closed the session with an overview of the Model OAS program.
FEBRUARY 2, 2009	On February 2, 18 students from Canada, the U.S. Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil Venezuela and Chile with The Washington Center for Internships paid a visit to the OAS.  The group was led on a tour of the historic OAS Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Yadira Soto, Advisor, Office of the Assistant Secretary General, addressed the group with an OAS Overview.  Closing remarks were presented by Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.
JANUARY 29, 2009	On January 29, 30 students from American University visited the Organization of American States. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, guided the group on a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building.  Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, gave the students an overview of the Organization. Closing remarks were delivered by Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, on the Model OAS.
JANUARY 22, 2009	On January 22, 18 members of the Esquel Civil Society Task Force visited the OAS.  Their visit commenced with a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building, led by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations.  Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, provided the group with an OAS Overview.  A presentation on the OAS commitment to Democracy followed, with Pablo Zuñiga, Director, Department of State Modernization and Governance, Secretariat for Political Affairs.  Closing remarks were presented by David Morris, Director, Summits Secretariat.
JANUARY 16, 2009	On January 16th, 23 graduate students from the University of Western Ontario, Faculty of Law, visited the OAS.  The group was led on a tour of the historic OAS Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of International Affairs.   Jane Thery, Head, OAS-USA Relations, Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations gave an overview on the Organization  Elizabeth Abi-Mershed, Assistant Executive Secretary, Inter-American Commission on Human Rights followed with a comprehensive briefing on human rights.  Luis Toro, Senior Legal Advisor, Department of International Law, Secretariat for Legal Affairs, continued the session with a discussion on Legal Affairs.  Ms. Swathi Kappagantula, Alternate Representative of Canada to the Organization of American State, concluded with a personal address to the group on the role of the Permanent Mission of Canada to the OAS.