Regional partnership for inclusion.

• Author: Cattivelli, Adrian
• Position: OAS

THE OAS HAS formally introduced a hemispheric mechanism aimed at fighting poverty in the region. The Inter-American Social Protection Network (IASPN) was launched recently in New York during an event whose theme was: "A hemispheric partnership to promote opportunities, inclusion, and prosperity."

OAS Secretary General José Miguel Insulza presided over the ceremony, which was attended by important regional, national, and local authorities including the President of Chile, Michelle Bachelet; US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton; and the Mayor of New York City, Michael Bloomberg.

During his presentation, Insulza emphasized that the Network will "help us build the capacity we need to find new ways of breaking the cycle of poverty and inequality that affects too many of our citizens."

The IASPN is a partnership among countries of the hemisphere that will facilitate the exchange of information on best practices, policies, experiences, and programs for fighting social injustice in the region. The Network was formed at the Fifth Summit of the Americas held in April of this year in Trinidad and Tobago when heads of state committed to using this mechanism to attack the problems of poverty and inequality in the region.

"This is one of the most important initiatives of our Fifth Summit of the...