Participation in the annual CAF conference.

• Author: Ochoa, Gina
• Position: OAS - Annual Conference of the Andean Development Corporation - Conference notes

Political and economic trends, Latin America's future in economic and social terms, challenges to democracy, and the importance of democracy in the world context were some of the topics addressed by OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza and other leaders and experts from the region in the 14th Annual Conference of the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), held in September in Washington, DC.

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Insulza stated that the main challenges to democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean are related primarily to high levels of poverty and inequality; violence and crime; and institutional weakness.

During the conference, Insulza participated in two panels along with Governor of New Mexico, Bill Richardson; CAF President, Enrique García; President of the Inter-American Dialogue, Michael Shifter; former President of Panama, Martín Torrijos; and former President of Bolivia, Carlos Mesa.

In highlighting OAS work to promote the Inter-American Democratic Charter and to discuss the problem of democratic fragility with governments and political powers, Secretary General Insulza said that the role of international organizations should be "to promote forums for discussion," but he...