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Vice President Biden (May 8, 2013): “The Western Hemisphere has always mattered to the United States, but I think it matters more today because it has more potential than any time in American history.”
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On May 2-4, 2013, President Obama travelled to Mexico and Costa Rica to reinforce the deep cultural, familial, and economic ties that so many Americans share with Mexico and Central America.
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President Obama (May 2, 2013): "You are the dream. This is your moment. And as you reach for the future, always remember that you have the greatest of partners, the greatest of friends ... your neighbor, the United States of America."
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President Obama (May 3, 2013): "I’m here because Costa Rica is a great partner not just regionally, but globally. Given Costa Rica’s proud democratic traditions, we stand up together for democracy and justice and human rights ..."
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Professor James L. Cavallaro (May 1, 2013): "I am particularly pleased in this moment of challenge for the system and the Commission to have the opportunity to earn your support and, if successful, contribute to the important work of the Commission."
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Spotlight
Forty-Third OAS General Assembly
The OAS General Assembly will be held in La Antigua, Guatemala, June 4-6, 2013.
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Partners
ECPA
The Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).
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Partners
Social Protection Network (IASPN)
The IASPN is a network of Inter-American social protection agencies.
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In Focus
Haiti Special Coordinator
The Special Coordinator manages U.S. government engagement with Haiti.
USOAS Highlights
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Visit of IACHR Candidate James Cavallaro to Trinidad and Tobago
May 15, 2013: Professor James L. Cavallaro, candidate for the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), visited Trinidad and Tobago to discuss his candidacy with Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Dookeran, key civil society stakeholders, and regional ministers of foreign affairs attending COFCOR.
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Vice President Biden, Dr. Jill Biden to Travel to Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago
May 8, 2013: The White House announced that Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden will travel to Brazil, Colombia, and Trinidad and Tobago during the week of May 26th, 2013. In each country, the Vice President will meet with key leaders to discuss the full range of bilateral and regional issues.
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Diplomatic Reception in Honor of IACHR Candidate James Cavallaro
April 11, 2013: Prof. James Cavallaro: "I have dedicated the past two decades of my career to working on human rights in the Americas...I believe that the System can promote and defend human rights while also strengthening the democracies of our region."
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Deputy Secretary Burns Addresses Special General Assembly on Human Rights
March 22, 2013: Dep. Sec. Burns: "While our progress in defending and advancing human rights is significant, it also remains incomplete and uneven. This is why a stronger and more capable Commission is in all our interests ..."
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Announcement of Candidate to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
February 21, 2013: The United States announces the candidacy of Professor James L. Cavallaro of Stanford Law School to serve as a member of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) for elections to be held during the June 2013 General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Antigua, Guatemala. See Also - Biographical Overview on Prof. Cavallaro »
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U.S. Supports "Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean" Grants
December 11, 2012: In a ceremony at OAS headquarters, Ambassador Lomellin announced U.S. support for Sustainable Communities in Central America and the Caribbean, a competitive grants program to enhance hemispheric cooperation on sustainable community development in the context of the Energy and Climate Partnership of the Americas (ECPA).
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Conference Marks Democratic Charter Anniversary
September 3-4, 2011: The OAS and the Republic of Chile hosted the conference - "Hemispheric Commemoration of the Tenth Anniversary of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and Renewal of the Commitment of the Americas to Democracy." Deputy Secretary of State William J. Burns headed the United States delegation.
Featured Sites
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Inter-American Commission on Human Rights
The IACHR is a principal and autonomous organ of the OAS whose mission is to promote and protect human rights in the Americas.
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DipNote
DipNote is the official blog of the U.S. Department of State —a place to share stories, discuss experiences, and inspire new ideas on the important foreign policy issues of the day.
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OAS Youth
The OAS Youth Agenda aims to provide young people with leadership skills in order to safeguard their future and the future of the countries in the Hemisphere.