OAS week of peace.

• Author: Ochoa, Gina
• Position: OAS - Organization of American States

During the last two decades, the OAS has used its Peace Missions to mediate for, collaborate with, and accompany many of its member states in their efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully and to maintain and promote a culture of peace.

OAS experiences in the promotion of peace and its contributions to the citizens of the region in this area were at the center of the Peace Week celebration held this September at the OAS headquarters. The agenda included a book-launching for a publication about peace, democracy, and conflict resolution; an inter-American course on the same subjects; a forum with the participation of the heads of five recent OAS Peace Missions; and an activity for helping to raise the awareness of children about peace and conflict resolution.

Assistant Secretary General Albert Ramdin opened the Peace Forum, which was held to commemorate the UN International Day of Peace, and he emphasized OAS contributions to peacekeeping in the region. "Today we want to pay tribute to OAS missions that have had a positive impact on the wellbeing of many of our citizens," he said. "While missions and programs vary according to country, our pro-peace activities have been unique in that they have had a very strong civilian component as compared to peace efforts in other parts of the world."

Roberto Menéndez, Chief of Operations of the OAS Commission for Support and Verification (CIAV-OAS) in Nicaragua...