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
International Affairs, 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. If you would
like to schedule a tour and briefing of the OAS, please complete
the form below and return to the Department of External
Relations. For more information
on OAS briefings, please contact Irene Klinger, Director,
Department of External Relations at (202) 458-6072 or
iklinger@oas.org
On September
24, the 50 fall semester OAS Interns visited the
OAS Main Building, the Museum of the Americas
and the Columbus Memorial Library. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, took the
interns on a guided tour of the OAS Main
Building. Adriana Ospina, Docent, Art Museum of
the Americas, Department of Cultural Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave them a
guided tour of the Art Museum. Beverly
Wharton-Lake, Chief of the Columbus Memorial
Library and Stella Villagran, Reference
Librarian, gave the interns an overview of
the Columbus Memorial Library
September 24, 2009
On September
24, Audrey M. Christopher, Acting Chief of
Protocol, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic
of Suriname visited the OAS. Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, gave Ms.
Christopher and members of her staff a guided
tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building. Subsequently, Ms. Christopher met
with Ana O’Brien, Chief, Office of Protocol.
September 21, 2009
On September 21, the OAS received a very special
visit from 4 members of the Wyatt family. The
Wyatt’s are direct descendants of the Van Ness
family, original owners of the land where the
OAS Main Building presently stands. Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, was
in charge of taking the family on a tour of the
building and the grounds. Fabian Goncalves,
Exhibit Coordinator, Art Museum of the Americas,
Department of Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations gave the group a tour of the
Art Museum of the Americas
September 18, 2009
On September 18, a group of 16 international
visitors with Meridian International
Center attending a session on "Administration
of Justice and the Rule of Law" seminar
visited the OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat
for External Relations, gave the group a tour of
the Historic OAS Main Building. Jorge Sanin, Head,
Permanent Observer Countries & Civil Society,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat
for External Relations, gave the group an overview
of the organization. Mario López, Principal Human
Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights, gave an overview on the promotion
and protection of human rights in the Americas
September 17, 2009
On September 17, the
OAS received a visit from 12 H.S. students from
Venezuela with Partners of the Americas. The students
received a tour of the OAS Historic Main Building
with Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations. Pablo Zúñiga, Director, Department of State
Modernization and Governance, Secretariat for
Political Affairs, gave an overview of the
organization and spoke on the importance of the
promotion of democracy. Nelly Robinson, MOAS
Coordinator, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations, spoke on the MOAS Program and
invited the students to participate
September 16, 2009
On Wednesday,
September 16, 12 journalists from a special training
program of the United Nations visited the OAS. Aline
Hommes, Specialist, Department of International
Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations, gave
the group 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 of 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
September 16, 2009
On Wednesday,
September 16, 14 students from American
University received a 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 them
an overview of the organization. Adriana Ospina,
Docent, Art Museum of the Americas, Department of
Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations,
took the group on a guided tour of the Art Museum of
the Americas
September 15, 2009
On Tuesday, September
15, a group of 25 docents from the Corcoran Art Museum
received a tour of the Historic OAS Main Building and
an overview on the Organization by Aline Hommes,
Specialist, Department of International Affairs,
Secretariat for External Relations. 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
September 14, 2009
On September 14,
Jorge Sanin, Head, Relations with Permanent Observers
and Civil Society, represented Dr. Irene Klinger,
Director of the Department of International Affairs,
and met with 17 afro-descendant leaders of civil
society organizations from the Hemisphere as part of a
week-long seminar organized in collaboration with
Global Rights – Partners for Justice to increase
knowledge of representatives of afro-descendant
organizations about the OAS and its political bodies.
The group received an overview of the OAS and topics
discussed were the status of the Inter-American
Convention against Racism and all Forms of
Discrimination and Intolerance; mechanisms for civil
society participation in the OAS, and the work of the
OAS in terms of afro-descendants. After the meeting,
the group received a guided tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department
of International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations
September 11, 2009
On Friday, September
11, the OAS received the Washington Semester
International Business and Trade 2 class and the
International Law and Organizations Program class
with a total of 64 students from American
University. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave them 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 of
the Organization. The classes were then separated.
One class stayed with Becxi Sanchez Bonilla, Trade
Specialist, Department of Trade and Tourism,
Executive Secretariat for Integral Development, who
briefed them on trade issues and the other
group adjourned to the Simon Bolivar Room and were
addressed by William M. Berenson, Chief of
Litigation, Department of Legal Services,
International Law.
September 10, 2009
On Thursday,
September 10, 30 students from The Thomas Jefferson
School High School, Santiago, Chile, visited the
OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave them a tour of the Historic OAS
Main Building and an overview of
the Organization. Nelly Robinson, MOAS Coordinator,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, gave them and overview of the
MOAS program for high schools. Francisco Bernales,
Minister Counselor, Alternate Representative of the
Mission of Chile to the OAS spoke on his role and
daily work responsibilities as a diplomat in the
Mission of Chile to the OAS.
September 8, 2009
On Tuesday, September
8, the OAS received a visit from 47 military
personnel of La Escuela Superior de Guerra de
Colombia. 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, welcomed the military personnel and gave
them an overview of the organization. Ambassador
Alexandre Addor-Neto, Secretariat for
Multidimensional Security, gave an overview on
multidimensional security in the region and spoke on
it's present challenges. Juan Pablo Alban, Human
Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on
Human Rights, gave an overview on the situation and
progress of human rights in the region and in
Colombia. Ambassador Luis Alfonso Hoyos, Permanent
Representative of the Mission of Colombia to the
OAS, gave concluding remarks reiterating the role of
the Mission of Colombia to the OAS as a Member of
the Permanent Council.
September 4, 2009
On Friday, September
4, 32 members of the U.S. Foreign Service Institute
received a guided tour by Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations. Jorge Sanin, Head, Permanent
Observer Countries & Civil Society, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, gave them an overview of the
organization.
August 27, 2009
On Thursday, August
27, 22 Georgetown law school graduate students visited
the OAS. Aline Hommes, Specialist, Department of
International Affairs, Secretariat for External
Relations, welcomed the students and gave them a tour
of the Historic OAS Main Building. Jane
Thery, Principal Specialist, Secretariat for External
Relations gave an overview of the OAS. Mario López, Principal Human
Rights Specialist, Inter-American Commission on Human
Rights, spoke to them on the subject of human rights
issues. The visit was concluded by Adriana Ospina,
Docent, Art Museum of the Americas, Department of
Cultural Affairs, Secretariat for External Relations,
taking them on a guided tour of the Art Museum of the
Americas.
August 14, 2009
On Friday, August
14, the 62 members of the 49th Class of the
Inter-American Defense College finalized their third
day OAS Seminar at Ft. Leslie McNair. Alejandro Díaz
de León, Senior Specialist/Program Manager,
Inter-American Committee against Terrorism, CICTE,
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security, opened the
morning session by speaking on the subject
of terrorism. Jim Mack, Executive Secretary,
Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, CICAD,
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security, followed by
giving an overview on drugs, trafficking
and rehabilitations programs. Alison August-Treppel,
Chief, Section on Transnational Organized Crime,
Department of Public Security, Secretariat for
Multidimensional Security, proceeded to speak on gangs
and public security. The morning session was concluded
by Abraham Stein, Deputy Director, Department for the
Coordination of Policies and Programs, Secretariat for
Multidimensional Security, speaking on the subject of
coordinating the different programs under the
Secretariat for Multidimensional Security. After a 10
minute recess the group was divided into three
break-out sessions for questions and answers.
After lunch, Fernando Garcia-Robles, Coordinator,
Anti-Trafficking of Persons, Department of Public
Security, Secretariat for Multidimensional Security,
started the afternoon session with a video
presentation on human trafficking and then opened the
floor for questions and answers. Carlos Calderon,
Consultant, Humanitarian Demining Program, Department
of Public Security, Secretariat for Multidimensional
Security, concluded the afternoon session with a power
point presentation on the Humanitarian Demining
Program and then opened the floor for questions and
answers.
August 13, 2009
On Thursday, August
13, 62 members of the 49th Class of the Inter-American
Defense College assembled at Ft. McNair to
participate in their second day OAS Seminar. Pablo
Gonzalez, Chief, Natural Hazard Risk Reduction,
Department of Sustainable Development, began
the morning session with an overview on Natural
Disasters and Risk Management. Mark Lambrides, Chief,
Climate Adaptation, Natural Disasters, Sustainable
Energy and Small Island States, Department of
Sustainable Development, gave them an overview on
sustainable energy issues. Flor de María Valdez,
Consultant, Permanent Secretariat of the
Inter-American Commission of Women spoke on the
mechanism to follow-up on the Implementation of the
Inter-American Convention on the Prevention,
Punishment and Eradication of Violence against
Women, as well as the issues affecting Gender &
Conflict Resolution. After a 10 minute recess the
group was divided into three break-out sessions for
questions and answers. The afternoon session began
with Enrique Martinez, Juridical Official, Office of
Legal Cooperation Mechanism, Anti-Corruption,
Department of Legal Cooperation, speaking on the
subject of anti-corruption and transparency. Carlos
Gallegos, Secretariat of the Inter-American Committee
on Ports, concluded the day with an overview entitled
Ports-OAS: Cooperating for Port Development in the
Americas. Break-out Q & A sessions concluded the
afternoon Seminar.
August 12, 2009
On Wednesday, August
12, the Department of International Affairs organized
a three day Seminar for the 62 new members of the 49th
Class of the Inter-American Defense College. The
Seminar began at OAS Headquarters with a tour of the
Historic Main Building by Aline Hommes, Specialist,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations. José Miguel Insulza, Secretary
General, welcomed the group in the Hall of the
Americas and gave introductory remarks. Jorge Sanin,
Head, Permanent Observer Countries & Civil Society,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations, welcomed the group and introduced
Ambassador Oyarce, President of the Permanent
Council, Permanent Mission of Chile to the OAS
who gave an overview of the role of the OAS and the
Inter-American agenda. Pablo Zúñiga, Director,
Department of State Modernization and Good Governance,
Secretariat for Political Affairs, continued with an
overview on democracy and democratic values. Mario
López, Head Specialist, Human Rights, Inter-American
Commission on Human Rights, spoke on the subject
of promoting human rights in the Americas. After
lunch, the afternoon session began with Ambassador
Alexandre Addor-Neto, Secretariat for Multidimensional
Security, briefing on the challenges
of multidimensional security. Rosanna Martinelli,
Specialist, Department of Social Development,
Executive Secretariat for Integral Development,
concluded with and overview on integral development.
Closing remarks were made by Jorge Sanín, Head,
Permanent Observer Countries & Civil Society,
Department of International Affairs, Secretariat for
External Relations
July 29, 2009
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
July 28, 2009
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
July 24, 2009
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
July 22, 2009
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
July 21, 2009
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
July 20, 2009
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
July 17, 2009
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
July 16, 2009
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.
July 13, 2009
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
July 11, 2009
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
July 9, 2009
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
July 8, 2009
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.
June 29, 2009
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
June 26, 2009
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
June 25, 2009
On
June 25, 14 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.
June 24, 2009
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.
June 23, 2009
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
June 19, 2009
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
June 18, 2009
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
June 17, 2009
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.
June 11, 2009
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.
June 10, 2009
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
June 3, 2009
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
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
