1. A word from the new President of COPA

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1 June 2002 VISIT COPA.QC.CA Executive Committee Network of Women Parliaments of the Americas Calendars Links of interest COPA IN MEXICO CITY In this issue: 1. A word from the new President of COPA 2. Report of the meeting of the Executive Committee in Mexico City 3. Network of Women Parliamentarians: Report of the meeting of the Executive Committee in Mexico City 4. Monterrey Parliamentary Forum 5. Interparliamentary activities: 107th Annual Conference of the Inter-Parliamentary Union NEWSWORTHY EVENTS June th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) Barbados June Montréal Conference 8 th International Forum on the New Economy Montréal, Canada July G-15 Summit Venezuela 6. Electoral news: results in Colombia, in Mexico (parties) and in Costa Rica 7. Women recently elected as presiding officers of assemblies: Chile, Québec 8. The Latin American Trade Network 9. Cyberdemocracy 10. Education: the OAS offers a new Internet portal 11. Intergovernmental activities: - Monterrey Conference on financing of development - The IDB grants a major loan to Mexico July First meeting of Ministers of Culture Cartagena, Colombia August 26-Sept. 6 World Summit on

2 Sustainable Development Johannesburg, South Africa September Latin-American Parliamentary Forum Conference on ethics, democracy and politics Washington, USA October Meeting of Trade Ministers on the FTAA negotiations Ecuador October World Governance Symposium 2002 Montréal, Canada To add or remove your name from our mailing list Your comments Laura Pavón Jaramillo, President of COPA 1. A WORD FROM THE NEW PRESIDENT OF COPA By accepting the presidency of COPA, I have expressed our commitment to fulfill the mission of the organization in the area of promotion and dialogue for inter-american cooperation and regional integration. It is a matter of priority to strengthen the role of the parliaments of the Americas, and in this regard, COPA will continue to be a permanent and autonomous forum of all parliamentarians of the Americas, where positions are proposed and discussed that can have an influence on the future of the organization and on the integration of our peoples. I am grateful to Ex-President Geraldo Magela Pereira, Brazilian Representative, and wish to express my gratitude for his efforts toward the consolidation of COPA. Now that we are celebrating six years of existence, COPA has already come through some crucial phases in its development. Increasingly, it now stands as a permanent organization that is both flexible and open, as well as representative, promoting parliamentary democracy with the conviction that it is impossible to advance along the paths of democracy, progress and social justice, without the cooperation of nations. Laura Pavón Jaramillo Mexican federal representative President Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas 2. REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN MEXICO CITY At the invitation of Ms. Laura Pavón Jaramillo, President of COPA and federal representative of Mexico, some 40 parliamentarians representing 14 countries of the Americas took part in a meeting of the Executive Committee in Mexico City from May 2 to 3, For further details, see the full version of the report in COPA's web site (available soon).

3 3. NETWORK OF WOMEN PARLIAMENTARIANS: REPORT OF THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE HELD IN MEXICO CITY Held on May 1 st, the meeting of the Executive Committee of the Network of Women Parliamentarians brought together some twenty participants from about ten countries and from four regional parliaments. In the course of their deliberations, the members of the Executive Committee presented the most recent legislative measures and initiatives concerning the rights of women adopted in their respective parliaments; they announced the launching of the documentary bank on women, in the COPA web site; they agreed on the setting up of a traineeship program in the respective parliamentary assemblies; and finally, they passed a declaration in support of Colombian Senator Ingrid Betancourt, a candidate in the presidential elections, who was the victim of a kidnapping on February 23, For further details, please see the complete report in our web site. Declaration in support of Ingrid Betancourt 4. MONTERREY PARLIAMENTARY FORUM On March 6, on the fringe of the United Nations International Conference on financing for development, an international parliamentary forum was held, bringing together

4 representatives of the main interparliamentary organizations of the Americas, including COPA and FIPA, the regional parliaments (PARLATINO, PARLACEN, etc.), European organizations (Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly), Asian organizations (Asia- Pacific Parliamentarian Forum), African organizations (African Parliamentary Union), and world organizations (Inter-Parliamentary Union, World Group of Parliamentarians for Habitat). The parliamentarians set up two working groups with a view to drafting a final declaration: the first on the national needs in the area of fair and equitable development, the second on the financial architecture of such a development. At the conclusion of their deliberations, they passed a final declaration in which they undertake to act in a concerted manner to ensure the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus (for more details see section 11) as well as the follow-up of the resolutions passed at the Monterrey International Conference. The overall goal of these measures is the elimination of poverty while guaranteeing a worldwide economic system based on fairness and fostering sustainable development. Sources : 5. INTERPARLIAMENTARY ACTIVITIES The Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) advocates an increased role for parliamentarians at its 107th annual conference This conference took place from March 17 to 23, in Marrakech, Morocco. The participants passed several resolutions there, including one on the increased role that should be played by Parliaments in the area of developing public policy in a context of globalization. The participants emphasized the fact that globalization should also benefit the populations of developing countries. Thus, Parliaments must play a much more active role with the multilateral organizations, particularly the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), in the context of trade negotiations. The participants also proposed that Parliaments be called on to contribute in all phases of the negotiation process, in order to represent the interests of all citizens, as well as in the follow-up of decisions. They also supported the IPU in order for it to pursue its efforts to provide a parliamentary dimension to the WTO and to the Bretton Woods institutions. Regarding environmental protection, a resolution was passed to encourage governments to ratify the Kyoto protocol on climate change and to pursue the implementation of Agenda 21, which was passed ten years ago at the Rio de Janeiro Conference on the Environment. For the full text of the resolutions, consult the web site of the Inter-Parliamentary Union at: 6. ELECTORAL NEWS

5 Election results COLOMBIA - For the first time in the parliamentary history of Colombia, the liberal and conservative parties no longer have a majority in the Senate, following the election on March 10. Eighteen days after the breaking off of the peace process with the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) by Conservative President Andrés Pastrana, the Andean country placed its preference on independent candidates, former leftist guerilleros in favour of an iron hand in dealing with right-wing rebels. It should be kept in mind that this election took place in a context of insecurity for the candidates. For example, the FARC kidnapped Ingrid Betancourt (see biographical site the Green candidate in the presidential election, on February 24. According to agence France Presse, the freeing of Ingrid Betancourt, together with five Colombian parliamentarians, who have been held captive in some cases for over a year, depends on the passing of a law on exchanging prisoners between the FARC and the authorities in power within twelve months. The government has always opposed such a law, which would confer official status as belligerents upon the guerilla fighters. Alvaro Uribe as new president Independent candidate Alvaro Uribe was declared the winner of the presidential elections of Columbia held on May 26. President Uribe has appealed to the international community to get involved and help find a solution to the civil war opposing Bogota and the FARC. He also expressed his interest in the possibility of UN-led mediation. Other sites on Ingrid Betancourt's international support: (Canada) MEXICO: Roberto Madrazo wins the race for President of the Institutional Revolutionary Party (PRI) The 50 million Mexican voters were invited, for the first time this past February 24, to elect the President of the Revolutionary Institutional Party (PRI) directly. The two candidates were Roberto Madrazo, former Governor of the State of Tabasco, and Beatriz Paredes (Member of the Executive Committee of COPA and President of PARLATINO). Mr. Madrazo won the race by only 53,000 votes (1.52 million versus 1.45 million). Note that Ms. Rosario Robles was elected President of the Partido de la Revolución Democrática (PRD) this past February 17. Sources: Info-matin (Government of Québec), La Presse, La Jornada, Agence France Presse COSTA RICA : Abel Pacheco as new President

6 This past April 7, the Social Democratic Party candidate, Mr. Abel Pacheco, defeated the National Liberation Party candidate, Mr. Rolando Araya, to carry the presidential election. He thus succeeds Mr. Miguel Angel Rodriguez. During his inauguration, he promised to bring his country out of the economic quagmire. Pacheco, aged 68, has set an objective of 6% annual economic growth and intends to eliminate the budget deficit by 2006, the final year of his term. He has also stated the intention of attacking the problem of poverty that affects many Costa Rican families, particularly the victims of the recent floods. For the long term, he has stated that free trade agreements with Canada and the United States would constitute key measures to enhance the development of his country, but that he would not negotiate these pacts blindfolded. Mr. Pacheco therefore will likely follow the free-market policies advocated by the ex-president, as well as the government s environmental promotion program. Source: AP World Politics, 8 May, 2002 TO WATCH Here is an overview of the upcoming elections to be held in the Americas: - BOLIVIA, legislative and presidential elections, June 30 Calendar for the rest of the year: see our electoral calendar. Sources: 7. WOMEN RECENTLY ELECTED AS PRESIDING OFFICERS OF ASSEMBLIES Adriana Muñoz: the first woman Presiding Officer of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile The 120 Deputies and 18 Senators who were elected this past December 18 began to sit on March 11. It should be noted that in the Chamber of Deputies, following a political agreement, the Presiding Officer is a member of Partido por la Democracia (PPD), Ms. Adriana Muñoz. She is the first woman to hold this position in 191 years of existence of the Chilean Parliament. Source : El Mercurio, 11 March, 2002 Louise Harel: the first woman Presiding Officer of the National Assembly of Québec During her acceptance speech this past March 12, Ms. Louise Harel (biographical notes) pointed out that It will have taken exactly 40 years of the presence of women in the National Assembly of Québec, for this office to be held by a woman. She intends to continue with the approach taken by her predecessor, Mr. Jean-Pierre Charbonneau. I

7 share the conviction that responsibilities are incumbent upon us, as parliamentarians, to build on and extend the outreach, beyond our borders, of the heritage of one of the oldest representative democracies in the world. Source: Le Courrier parlementaire, 12 March, THE LATIN AMERICAN TRADE NETWORK FOSTERS EXCHANGES OF EXPERTISE IN TRADE NEGOTIATIONS Created in 1998 by Canada s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Latin American Trade Network now includes over thirty specialists and research institutes primarily in the South, but also in the North. Its objective is to develop a specifically Latin- American analysis of the issues currently under debate, to attend the major international forums and to assist researchers in sharing this information with the political decisionmakers of their countries. This program is very timely, especially for small countries, notes its coordinator at the IDRC, Ms. Susan Joakes, in the context of the opening of the second round of negotiations of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Far from decreasing, the pace of trade negotiations is only increasing, according to Brazilian economist and sociologist Pedro da Motta Veiga, a member of the Network since its beginnings, particularly in the framework of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations. The IDRC is seeking to arrange for the representatives of each country to be well trained before they arrive at the negotiating table. For this purpose, the IDRC finances work by Latin American researchers as well as its dissemination. In addition, it assists these specialists in meeting, in conducting joint research and in comparing their analyses with those of western researchers. For more complete information on the Network, please consult the following article, indicating the contact information of the responsible parties. Link to article and contact information: Sources: - Le Devoir; IDRC web site: 9. CYBERDEMOCRACY: WILL INTERNET RESULT IN PROFOUND CHANGES TO POLITICAL LIFE? According to the book Cyberdémocratie, by Professor Pierre Lévy, the arrival of the Internet has changed the political reality. Indeed, with the liberalization of speech (through , chat, discussion forums), many virtual communities have come into being, in many different areas: politics, religion, economy, health, etc. Cyberspace has made it possible to increase the visibility of society, regardless of the traditional political and geographical barriers. This new order also questions the break between the public and private domains.

8 Citizens exercise greater surveillance over governmental and political authorities, which must be more accountable. Thus, corruption is not necessarily worsening, it is merely more visible than before. This new means of communication, the Internet, thus supports the traditional media in denouncing any moral failings of the political elites and in promoting democratic transparency. This transparency is inseparable from freedom of the press and the independence of justice. To Pierre Lévy, this new freedom of expression represents an opportunity. It announces the approach of generalized democracy and sets the foundation for a veritable planetary civil society, and perhaps new forms of state. A view of the world that is feasible in the short term? The first three chapters (in French) of the book Cyberdémocratie are available at the following address: National and international links about on-line governance For more information, see the site of UNESCO Observatory on the information society. It offers a bank of links to sites about on-line governance around the world at the following address: EDUCATION: OAS OFFERS A NEW INTERNET PORTAL The Organization of American States (OAS) announced the setting up of a new portal in four languages (English, Spanish, French and Portuguese), the Educational Portal of the Americas. Created by the Inter-American Agency for Cooperation and Development, it aims to increase access to the region of the Americas for educational and training service offers, as well as to promote equity in education in order to ensure that all citizens of the hemisphere may fully achieve their educational, professional and personal potential. The main objectives of this portal are to promote new educational methods such as distance education, and to disseminate high-quality training service offers. It also aims to contribute to continuing training of students of all ages and to professional training of teachers, in order that they may develop more flexible educational methods and strategies. The Educational Portal will facilitate training for isolated and marginalized communities as well as for groups traditionally left out, such as women and children in rural areas, aboriginal populations and the handicapped. Also, the Agency is setting up a large program of bursaries, is supporting the creation of educational networks and is strengthening educational centres for the exchange and dissemination of information.

9 The OAS hopes thereby to contribute to the establishment of a democratic and better informed society, within which education will play a front-line role for the Americas. Address of portal: Source: Organization of American States (OAS), INTERGOVERNMENTAL ACTIVITIES The United Nations International Conference on financing for development: not a matter of unanimity This conference, which was held from March 18 to 22 in Monterrey, Mexico, was attended by several thousand persons, including the UN Secretary General, the leaders of the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO, as well as some 60 heads of state and government. According to the final press release, the deliberations led to the passing of the Monterrey Consensus. This Consensus was hailed as a historic document that places the issues of development and its financing at the forefront of the international agenda. It was received as the entrenchment of the new partnership required for the mobilization of financial resources for development purposes. This new concept of partnership was generally favoured since, according to the delegations, it places equal responsibility on all development stakeholders at the national and international levels. According to their agreement, the Consensus entrenches the principle of support from developed countries for political, institutional and economic reforms in developing countries, to mobilize domestic savings and national or foreign private investment. Also, the Consensus reaffirms the importance of public development assistance (PDA) and of debt reduction or cancellation programs. Also, it reaffirms the principle of participation by developing countries in the decision-making processes of international institutions in seeking solutions to problems, such as inequities in international trade, poor distribution and the febrility of flows of private capital, and the inconsistency of monetary, financial and trade policies. However, it should be noted that the NGOs, who were holding a parallel forum, vehemently criticized this document, which sets out six major axes of intervention, but which does not contain any precise commitment. According to the Greenpeace representative in Monterrey, the only crumbs that were offered for aid to the poor were conditional on the countries opening their markets to industries, while forgetting that it is the current global economic model that has widened the gap between rich and poor and increased the degradation of the environment throughout the world. It will therefore be worthwhile to monitor whether the follow-up mechanism to the Conference will result in the principles advocated in the Consensus being put effectively into application. The parliamentarians who participated in the international Forum, for their part, affirmed their will to monitor the implementation of the Consensus through the exchange of information and proposals in their respective assemblies and organizations.

10 Sources: - Conference web site (English - French - Spanish): - Monterrey Consensus: - Complete press releases: - Le Devoir, Agence France Presse The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) grants a major loan to Mexico The IDB has authorized its largest-ever loan to Mexico: 1 billion US$ for the consolidation and expansion of the Progresa poverty reduction program, which provides assistance in education, health and nutrition for millions of underprivileged families. The IDB loan will finance a project over a six-year period that will be carried out in segments, at a total cost of 4.7 billion US$. This project aims to include urban areas in the territory covered by Progresa, to ensure that its assistance goes to poor families, and to increase its effectiveness. Further information is available on this large-scale project at the following address: Source: CANADEXPORT, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Canada WHAT IS COPA? The Parliamentary Confederation of the Americas is a forum that brings together the assemblies of the unitary, federal, federated and associated States, regional parliaments and interparliamentary organizations of the Americas. An initiative of parliamentarians, the Confederation fosters dialogue on issues related to inter-american cooperation and in particular, to the Summits of Heads of State and Government of the Americas and the process of creation of the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). It aims to reinforce parliamentary democracy and to create a new synergy between the legislative leaders of the Americas.