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Youth

Confronting Inequality and Violence: OAS Secretary General Calls for Action

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

As the world's focus shifts towards the potential of the Latin America and Caribbean region, Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza of the Organization of American States (OAS) emphasized the need to confront the fundamental issues of inequality and violence. The decade ahead, he believes, can only be successful if these obstacles are addressed, as they predominantly affect the region's youth. With 57% of the population being under 29 years old, providing employment opportunities and leveraging their capabilities is crucial.

Key Takeaways:

  • The OAS has developed a commitment to a youth development agenda, with a focus on investment in human capital development and policies aimed at youth.
  • The organization has initiated four key projects to address youth issues, including a hemispheric strategy on drugs, the "Armando Paz" project, improvements to juvenile prisons, and supporting public-private partnerships.
  • USAID's Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, Mark Feierstein, prioritizes the issue of security, focusing on strengthening judicial systems, training, and community policing, as well as providing productive alternatives for vulnerable youth.
  • Arturo Valenzuela, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, highlighted the US government's programs to support young people and encouraged independent initiatives undertaken by citizens in the region.
  • Confronting youth crime in the Americas is a shared challenge, and finding lasting solutions is a collective responsibility.

Statistics:

  • 57% of the population in Latin America and the Caribbean is under 29 years old.
  • The OAS emphasizes the importance of investment in human capital development and policies aimed at youth to address inequality and violence.
  • USAID is focusing on strengthening judicial systems (30% of its work), training and community policing (25%), and providing productive alternatives for vulnerable youth (45%).

Sources:

  • Organization of American States'
  • OAS Website (www.oas.org)

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