Inter-American Dialogue
The Inter-American Dialogue (http://www.thedialogue.org) is the leading U.S. center for policy analysis, exchange, and communication on issues in Western Hemisphere affairs. The Dialogue brings together public and private leaders from across the Americas to address hemispheric problems and opportunities. Together they seek to build cooperation among Western Hemisphere nations and advance a regional agenda of democratic governance, social equity, and economic growth.
In her capacity as Vice President for Democratic Governance at the Dialogue, Marifeli Pérez-Stable directs a number of projects concerned with the analysis and strengthening of democracy in the hemisphere:
National Dialogues on Democracy
National Dialogues on Democracy in Latin America, co-sponsored by the Organization of American States, is a project consisting of eight two-day national workshops with 25 to 30 top-ranked and well-known political analysts from the public sector, private sector, civil society, media, academia, and clergy. The principal objective of the dialogues is to bring together diverse sectors of analysts to reflect on the quality of democratic consolidation in their countries and to recommend ways to strengthen it. Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, and Mexico are the countries where the workshops will be held.
The participants discuss the condition of democratic governance in their country, the setbacks and advances democracy has registered in recent years, and the major weaknesses and challenges it will confront in the coming period. In addition, they identify the high-priority tasks that need to get done in order to strengthen and deepen democracy, and build the credibility of democratic institutions and leaders. The intended outcome of each dialogue is a set of concrete benchmarks against which to measure progress into the future.
Quickly following each national workshop, the Dialogue issues a report on the country prepared by one of the participants. The findings and recommendations of the country report will be used to promote broader public exchanges on democratic governance and consolidation. In a second phase of the project, a concluding report will be issued that compares and contrasts the problems and progress of democracy in the selected countries.
Guatemala: Ten Years After the Agreements on a Firm and Lasting Peace
Guatemala: Ten Years After the Agreements on a Firm and Lasting Peace recounts the meeting held in Antigua on March 22-24, 2007.
Miami Group on Western Hemisphere Affairs
The Miami Group on Western Hemisphere Affairs has been launched as a forum to bring together Miami’s corporate, financial, civic and academic leaders to discuss the most important issues in hemispheric affairs. The Group will hear from and exchange ideas with top US and Latin American policymakers on a regular basis in order to strengthen Miami’s enormous professional and intellectual resources on Latin America.
Events
Agustín Carstens, Finance Minister of México, November 1, 2007
Henrique Meirelles, Governor of the Central Bank of Brazil, April 4, 2008
Enrique Garcia, President and CEO of the Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF), April 24, 2008
Congressional Testimonies
“With Castro Stepping Down, What’s Next for Cuba and the Western Hemisphere,” Testimony before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, March 5, 2008.
Latin America Advisor
“Calderon’s Popularity Hinges on Success of Anti-Drug Effort,” July 28, 2008.
“Cristina Fernandez’s First 100 Days Marked by Turbulence,” April 1, 2008.
“Venezuela, Mexico Need to Reform State Oil Companies,” January 18, 2008.
“After Vote, Costa Rica Turns to Implementation of CAFTA-DR,” November 14, 2007.
“Carlos Slim’s Wealth Comes at Mexico’s Expense,” September 25, 2007.
“Where Does Banco del Sur Fit In?” August 1, 2007.