11:30 | Lima, Apr. 20 (ANDINA).
The Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS), José Miguel Insulza, has called for a "new effort" to improve the quality of education in the Americas.
He made this remark during the 51st Lecture of the Americas organized by the hemispheric institution, entitled "Promoting Human Development and Quality Education in the Americas," in which the Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Irina Bokova took part.
In his opening remarks at the event, the Secretary General Insulza said, regarding the issues of education and human development, "we have worked intensely on them, but we must be able to evaluate our results and prepare for the next push, the next effort to substantially improve the quality of education at all levels" in the region.
The leader of the hemispheric organization recalled that "this issue is set forth in our Inter-American Democratic Charter in precise terms," citing the document, which says "poverty, illiteracy, and low levels of human development are factors that adversely affect the consolidation of democracy.”
More recently, added the Secretary General, the Member States of the OAS adopted the Social Charter of the Americas, which states that it is a fundamental social right and that all citizens have the right to “equal and universal access to quality primary and secondary education,” which is built through the principles of pluralism, freedom, equality, relevance, quality and justice, among others."
Secretary General Insulza recalled that the OAS has a long history of working together with UNESCO on various issues, "including the Educational Portal of the Americas, the scientific developments in our programs of Water Resources; the use of mobile technologies, and issues related to the Haitian diaspora, among others." He acknowledged that major challenges remain to quality education in the region, but said that "this is a priority for our organization."
(END) INT/EEP
Published: 4/20/2013