“Action with civil society to further Andean integration” project launched in Peru

Lima, May 6, 2008.- Today saw the launching in Peru of the “Action with Civil Society to further Andean Integration” project (SOCICAN) promoted by the General Secretariat of the Andean Community and the European Commission to increase the participation of Andean citizens in the Andean integration process.   

This launch was part of the “Andean Regional Integration for Peace” workshop being held at the CAN General Secretariat’s headquarters in Lima.  The event has brought together representatives from social organizations of indigenous, women’s, youth, and African descendents’ groups; trade union organizations, development and social promotion institutions, universities, and research centers, among other bodies. 

During the workshop’s inauguration, the Secretary General of the Andean Community, Freddy Ehlers, emphasized the support being given by the European Union for the SOCICAN project’s implementation, which will enable social organizations to work together in areas of priority interest based on projects they present. 

He explained that the project’s grant fund provides for civil society organizations and institutions from two or more Andean countries to jointly put forward projects for conducting studies, training, the exchange of experiences and other strategies designed to resolve national problems from a regional approach.

 Phillipe Rasquin, representative of the Delegation of the European Commission in Peru, for his part, stated that this event constitutes the expression of the will of the European Commission and of the Andean Community to increase the participation of civil society in the regional integration movement and to respond to the needs of the people living in the region’s countries.   

He explained that for some years now the European Union has been taking a series of actions jointly with the CAN General Secretariat to support the process.  “This latest project is of primary importance” to us, he added, because it comes at a moment when the two integration groups are negotiating an Association Agreement that goes beyond an FTA because it includes political dialogue, cooperation and trade. 

During the workshop, scheduled to conclude tomorrow, participants will discuss the integration process and examine areas whose development is of priority to the region, such as the environment and biodiversity; the culture of peace and border development; human rights; communication for integration and the regional representation system.

This morning, the Director of the CAN General Secretariat, Adalid Contreras, presented a paper on the Andean Integration System.  A panel discussion was held on the participation of civil society in the Andean Community, with the involvement of representatives of the Andean Labor Institute, the Latin American Association of Popular Organizations, the Andean Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations, the National Network for the Promotion of Women and the CAN General Secretariat.   

Committee meetings are scheduled for this afternoon and tomorrow a presentation will be made on the SOCICAN Project and the National Coordinators will report on the advances made in Colombia and Ecuador.