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center184975500Republica de Chile Republic of ChilePosition PaperRepublica de ChilePosition Paper for the 2019 ESMOAS Summit of the AmericasI. GENERAL STATEMENT It is a distinct honor for the Republic of Chile to have been invited to attend this summit of the Summit of the Americas. As a founding member of the Organization of American States, the Republic of Chile has long been committed to the principal of international cooperation in the Western Hemisphere. The involvement of Chile in multiple regional and global multinational organizations further demonstrates the value the Republic has placed on leveraging the unique cultural heritages and lived experiences of the larger world into solutions for shared problems. As an integral member of Forum for the Progress of South America, Chile’s government has taken a leading role in ensuring that the prosperity experienced by the Chilean people can become an international phenomenon through the emulation and adaptation of policies that have succeeded in Chile. As a founding member and active participant in the United Nations, Chile has made its mark on the global stage and established itself as a shining example of the enormous potential of Latin American nations as political actors capable of exerting influence on the world stage.The Republic of Chile is uniquely positioned within the Organization of American States. The nation’s economy has long been one of the strongest in Latin America, experiencing consistent growth in a variety of sectors. This continuing prosperity has allowed the Republic of Chile to set an example for other nations in the Americas as they continue the process of developing and diversifying their economies. As a signatory to the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, Chile is determined to enshrine the principles of free trade and the economic benefits derived from the unimpeded transnational flow of goods and services. Chile’s economy has proven able to weather the storms of the dynamic global market and demonstrated the highly adaptive entrepreneurial spirit of the Chilean people. The Republic of Chile is one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations. Chile is a hemispheric leader in economic freedom, income per capita, and competitiveness, is devoted to their youth through programs and organizations, and is well protected by their professional and technologically advanced military force. With six different UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Chile offers some of the most impressive tourist attractions in the world. As a high-income economy, Chile’s GDP averages 1.9% growth annually, and is considered one of the best countries for business. The Republic of Chile has taken great leaps to improve democracy, society, and other member states of the Organization of American States (OAS). Together as one, the Republic of Chile hopes that all members of the OAS can come together to improve and positively affect the future of the hemisphere.Republica de ChilePosition Paper, Page TwoII. PARTICULAR STATEMENTSA. Committee: General Committee (GC)Topic One of the Agenda: Ensuring Fair and Transparent Campaigns and ElectionsThe Republic of Chile is committed to upholding the democratic ideals upon which the Organization of American States was founded. The Republic of Chile believes that ensuring free, fair, and competitive elections throughout the hemisphere begins with ensuring maximal participation in the electoral process, free from undue government restriction. In 2012, Chile became the only nation in the OAS to enshrine in law automatic voter registration within a noncompulsory voting system. This is a clear demonstration of Chile’s commitment to self-determination, granting access to and participation in the democratic processes without the fear of a compelling factor in that process, gives the Chilean people more freedom to involve themselves in governance only to whatever extent to which they are inclined. The government of Chile acknowledges that the democratic process is an eternally evolving project, and looks forward to working with the nations of the hemisphere to develop and implement policies that will improve democratic participation, voter turnout, and safeguard electoral contestation and transparency with a mind to ensuring the continuing health of the democratic societies within the OAS, and setting an example which can be followed by the rest of the world’s ic Two of the Agenda: Addressing the Problems of a Shrinking OAS BudgetThe Republic of Chile shares the deep concerns expressed both by the Organization of American States and the member states thereof regarding the considerable decline in multinational investment in the OAS. The failure or refusal of certain member states to meet in full their obligations to the budgetary obligations outlined in the Organization’s budget cause unnecessary strain on the ability of the various Secretariats to accomplish the tasks with which they have been entrusted and has resulted in a decline of the OAS to effectively provide for the programs it has traditionally overseen. The vital function of the OAS in ensuring that the progress made towards a more prosperous and equitable world by safeguarding the human rights and democratic participation of the people of our hemisphere cannot be allowed to wither and die because of budgetary shortfalls. It is the sincerest hope of the Republic of Chile that there is a clear path forward on this matter, and that a fair and equitable solution can be achieved to ensure that all member states are able to provide for the continued future of the hemispheric project, from each according to their ability, and to each according to their need. In order for the OAS to continue its irreplaceable role in the region, its funding must be able to keep pace with the needs of an expanding organization in a rapidly changing world, and it is the responsibility of all member states to ensure that their contributions are able to grow. The best guarantor of a strong budget for the OAS is the shared economic growth of its member states, and thus it is the responsibility of the more prosperous nations to assist in the development not only of their neighboring states, but of every nation in the hemisphere.B. Secretariat for Economic Development Initiatives (SEDI)Topic One of the Agenda: Promoting Youth Participation in Government and Civics The Republic of Chile is fiercely committed to expanding the involvement of its youth in society and government. In 2010, Chile spent 17.81% of its government expenditure and 4.07% of its GDP on education provisions according to the World Bank. The Chilean government has implemented a number of programs to enable and encourage young people to become more involved in civil society and perform a vital role in governance. “Strengthening Alliances between State and Civil Society” is a government funded program that started in 2000 in Chile that allows youths 15-24 to take part in community service through public and private organizations. The “Rural Country Service” is another civic participation program lasting 13 months that allows young professionals to work and learn, earning $480 a month. According to the National Institute for Youth, youths in Chile have a 98.68% literacy rate and 84.09% secondary school enrollment rate. The Ministry of Social Development is the governmental authority responsible for the youth, provides and coordinates policies and public services that help to promote and develop Chile’s young people. As many youths in the countries of the hemisphere come of age and become more politically aware, they may become discouraged from participating in the processes of popular governance by what they perceive as an inability to make the essential structural changes that will make their governments better suited to serve their needs. The youth programs in Chile are working hard to promote youth participation in government and civics to ensure a better life for the youths of today and ic Two of the Agenda: Encouraging the Growth of Micro- and Small Business DevelopmentThe Republic of Chile has long demonstrated its determination to improve the ability of the free people of the world to participate in the free market. The Chilean government has undertaken several programs which the Delegation of Chile believes could be exported and adapted to the particular needs of other member states and is eager to assist in the implantation of said programs to whatever extent is requested. Progress is not a one-way street, however, and Chile is more than open to adopting successful programs developed by other member states as a matter of practicality and ongoing regional partnership. The great cooperative spirit with which the OAS was founded is essential to the continuing development of our hemisphere and is alive and well in the Republic of Chile.C. Committee: Secretariat for Multidimensional Security (SMS)Topic One of the Agenda: Improving Cooperation on Border Security and Regional SecurityOver the course of the last several decades, the Republic of Chile has been an integral actor in multilateral efforts to ensure the territorial integrity of the member states of the OAS, working together to bring security and stability to our hemisphere. The Chilean government has demonstrated exemplary vigilance, developing and implementing innovative practices for border security to other nations in the OAS. Despite this, the international narcotics trade continues to plague not only Chile and all member states of the OAS, but all territories in the western hemisphere and around the world. The issue of narcotics in the Americas is a multi-causal problem against which all nations of the Americas must take action. The OAS has made great strides in identifying and addressing this complex issue. The Inter-American Drug Abuse and Control Commission (CICAD), a branch of the OAS, produced a Hemispheric Plan of Action on Drugs for 2016-2020. This plan has five areas of focus: Institutional Strengthening, Demand Reduction, Supply Reduction, Control Measures, and International Cooperation. Chile is fully committed to furthering the cause of solving the drug problem in the Americas and calls on all other states to engage in this effort. Chilean President Mr. Sebastián Pi?era Eche?ique has gone on record on this matter, stating that “the world has been unable to address serious threats to international security, including drug trafficking.” Chile is an active member in combating drug trafficking, placing particular focus on the resurgent trade in cocaine. In the Americas, 8.5 million people consume cocaine, and the intrinsically transnational nature of this illicit trade necessitates a transnational response. Through cooperation with other states, the scourge of the international narcotrafficking apparatus that has infected the Americas can be eradicated. The Republic of Chile will continue its existing commitments to its partner nations, and actively seek out new partnerships to combat the threat presented to the sanctity of international borders by transnational criminal ic Two of the Agenda: Addressing High Rates of Incarceration and Gang DevelopmentThe Republic of Chile understands and accepts that the regional trend for proportionately high incarceration, especially pre-trial incarceration, represents an unfortunate tendency of governments in the hemisphere to deprive their citizens of their freedom without first allowing for due process under the law. While the Chilean rate of pre-trial incarceration is relatively low when compared to the rest of the hemisphere, the overall rate of incarceration is comparatively high especially when compared to the global average. This tendency represents a significant challenge to the ability of governments in the hemisphere to inhibit the development of criminal gangs, which are very frequently formed within penitentiary systems. The trend towards hyper-incarceration results almost inevitably in the formation and solidification of criminal gangs as a social unit within prisons, and the membership in these gangs almost always continues in post-incarceration life. The Republic of Chile believes that, due to the transnational nature of many of these criminal organizations, there is an urgent need for a transnational solution, and hopes that through coordinated efforts between the member states of the OAS that such a solution can be found. ................
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