Virtual Platform to Engage Summit Stakeholders

Within the next two weeks, the Summits of the Americas Secretariat, in coordination and cooperation with the OAS Department of Human Development, through the Educational Portal of the Americas and with support of the Institute for Connectivity in the Americas (ICA) / International Development Research Centre (IDRC), will officially launch the Summits of the Americas Virtual Platform (SVP). The Summits Virtual Platform is an on-line tool designed to facilitate on-going communication and complement the face-to-face consensus-building activities among the relevant stakeholders of the Summits of the Americas Process through the use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). Through the SVP, the Summits Secretariat will carry out a series of virtual consultations and dialogue in key thematic areas within the framework of the preparatory process for the Fifth Summit of the Americas, to be held in Port of Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, from April 17-19, 2009.

The Moderation of this Virtual Space, which will be maintained by the Summits Secretariat and linked to the Summits Information Network ((www.summit-americas.org)), allows a broad group of registered users to participate in expert-moderated virtual policy dialogues, fora and consultations in priority areas addressed in the Summits.

Each virtual forum will focus on a particular theme relevant to the Fifth Summit of the Americas and will be scheduled to complement the face-to-face meetings of the Summit Implementation Review Group (SIRG), and other Summit-related activities. The SVP will provide a mechanism to effectively promote information sharing and increased participation of relevant stakeholders, such as civil society organizations, institutions, and other social actors involved in the Summit Process. The results of these consultations will be made available for the consideration of OAS Member States and the Host Government of the Fifth Summit of the Americas.

The first Virtual Forum, scheduled to be held from September 8th to 13th, 2008, will be an Introduction to the Summits of the Americas Process. In this forum, participants will have an opportunity to become familiar with the Summit of the Americas and understand the way in which social actors participates in the Process. In addition, the Draft Declaration of Commitment of Port of Spain will be presented to have an open discussion and gather general observations.

Registration for membership in the SVP is open to anyone interested in participating in or knowing more about the Summits Process. Registered users will receive updates on upcoming virtual fora, including themes and dates. Registration will be open from August 28th.

For more information on the Summit Virtual Platform and to get registered, please click here.

If you have any questions please contact [email protected].

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