IV Youth and Democracy Regional Forum

IV Youth and Democracy Regional Forum
A space for civic participation of the youth on the path to Democratic Governability in
the Latin American region
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
June, 11th to 15th, 2016
SUMMARY:
On the occasion of the 46th General Assembly of the Organization of American
States (OAS) held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, from 12nd to 15th of June,
with the presence of representatives and foreign ministers of member states of the
OAS, the Latin American Youth Network for Democracy held the IV Youth and
Democracy Regional Forum, a space for dialogue for young student leaders, social
and political movements in the region.
RESULTS:
- Political Incidence to the OAS General Assembly: One of JuventudLAC’s
member was selected to be the speaker during the civil society forum at the
General Assembly. Meeting with the OAS General Secretary and agreement
on working together on electoral.
- Awareness of 56 young people about the applicability of the Inter American
Democratic Charter and a political incidence strategy was developed to the
following weeks regarding the case of Venezuela.
- 400 young people participated on the IV Youth and Democracy Regional
Forum.
- Increased the integration of the news members and representatives of
JuventudLAC and consolidation of the identity of the group, what is very
important to increase their level of engagement with the different human
rights causes among the region.
- 3 Campaigns strategies were developed and internal meetings were held.
- Media impact (TV interviews, Social networks, press articles and internet
websites)
BUDGET:
This event was co-financed between the World Movement for Democracy
(USD20.000,) Latin American Youth Network for Democracy (USD 3.000), Cuban
Youth Roundtable (USD 5.000), Konrad Adenauer Foundation (USD 3.000), Freedom
House (USD 3.000), CAPP (USD 3.000). The amount are approximately calculating
the fact that every organization has paid the airplane tickets, hotel rooms and per
diem for different members of the Latin American Network for Democracy to reach
the number of 55 attendants. Finally, CAPP as local organization, member of the
Latin American Youth Network for Democracy, which served as host, has paid all the
expenses of the printing material and other events expenses such as coffee break.
V Youth Forum (Organized by Young American
Business Trust -YABT)
Schedule: 09.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Location: Hotel Barcelo
Participants: 50 Latin American Youth Network for Democracy ‘members
Goals: Follow up on the agreements and documents with proposals and consensual
declarations that came from Panamá Summit.
On Saturday June 11, the Young Americas Business Trust (YABT) held its V Youth
Forum of the Americas. Originally held only on the occasion of the Summit of the
Americas, this time it took place together with the General Assembly of the
Organization of American States (OAS) in Santo Domingo.
During the forum, Latin American participants got the chance to discuss the
conclusions gathered from the National Youth Dialogues held throughout the region
on a wide range of subjects related to the youth. 13 of said dialogues were organized
by the local chapters of JuventudLac in as many countries and so the final document
condensed in Santo Domingo was highly made up of the work of our member
organizations.
The participants had to choose a representative who would read the final document
before the heads of the 34 delegations gathered in Santo Domingo, mostly Foreign
Ministers and Secretaries of State. The chosen speaker was Adolfo Flores who is the
national representative of Venezuela in JuventudLac. During his speech, made up of
the text that came from the dialogues, he stressed the need for the strengthening of
democratic institutions region wide and took the time to bring attention to the
humanitarian crisis going on in Venezuela which made the representative of that
government take the floor to speak denying the need of his people for international
help, linking it to military intervention.
1) Conference held regarding the
problems that young people are
facing in Latin America (YABTWorld Bank). 2) Members of
JuventudlLAC have participated in
the dialogue and working groups
to follow up the declaration of
Panama Summit. 3) Adolfo Flores,
Representative in Venezuela was
elected to be the youth speaker
during the Civil Society OAS
Forum
Meeting of Latin American Youth Network for
Democracy with OAS Secretary General
Schedule: Sunday June 12nd, 2016 - 11.00 AM - 12.00 AM
Special Speaker: Luis Leonardo Almagro, OAS Secretary General
Coordinators: Javier El-Hage, JuventudLAC Consultative Board members
Participants: 50 Latin American Youth Network for Democracy ‘members
Location: Justice and Transparency Foundation (21, Juan Sanchez Ramirez StreetGrace Sofia Building Apt. #301, Gascue, Santo Domingo)
The exclusive meeting between the Luis Leonardo Almagro, OAS Secretary General
and the members of the Latin American Youth Network for Democracy was a total
success due to the fact that there was a sincere dialogue and interchange of ideas
abut how young people may contribute to the strengthening of democracy in the
region jointly to the OAS. Firstly, Rosa Maria Paya, President of JuventudLAC made
the introductory remarks about the importance of the application of the Democratic
Charter in Venezuela, and Micaela Hierro Dori, Honorary President explained the
institutional precedents, goals and values from the Latin American Youth Network
for Democracy. Secondly, the OAS Secretary General explained briefly his report
about Venezuela and why he has evoked the Democratic Charter. Thirdly, Javier ElHage clarified some legal concepts as an introduction to the debate. Edipcia Dubon
had the chance to present the current situation in Nicaragua and asked an special
audience with Almagro to talked about the impossibility of the opposition to
compete in the electoral process next November. Joseph Harold from Haiti also
mentioned his analysis about the elections in Haiti and stated that JuventudLAC is
available to be international observer and to contribute to empower Haitian young
people and civic education. Adolfo Flores, representative of JuventudLAC in
Venezuela jointly to the ten young Venezuelans expressed their gratitude to
Almagro for his effort claiming the estabilization of democracy in Venezuela
As conclusion, Almagro shared his concerns jointly to JuventudLAC about the
democratic gap not only in Venezuela but also in countries like Haiti, Nicaragua and
Cuba. He conceded a special audience to do a further analysis about the case of
Nicaragua, he conveyed he was opened to work together in some projects of
JuventudLAC, specially of International electoral observation and finally he
welcomed the initiative of Cuba Decide and Poder Joven to have free and plural
elections in Cuba.
Discussion of the Applicability of the InterAmerican Democratic Charter
Schedule: Tuesday June 14th, 2016 – 9.00 -14.00
Special Speaker: Mitzy Ledezma and Nicolas Albertoni
Coordinators: Javier El-Hage and Karla Velasquez
Participants: 50 Latin American Youth Network for Democracy ‘members
Location: Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University (PUCMM),
Postgraduate Building Romulo Betancourt and Abraham Lincoln Street.
Goal: Sensitize youth about the importance of the Inter-American Democratic
Charter and define strategies to improve its implementation in the LAC region
The meeting had two sessions: first an
conceptual discussion with special guest
and panelist and a second session
where the audience was divided in two
groups to design a plan of action
concerning the application of the
Democratic Charter in Venezuela.
First, Micaela Hierro, as founder of the
Latin American Youth Network for
Democracy made the welcoming
remarks and opening statements on the
importance and role of youth in implementing the Inter-American Democratic
Charter, which aims to strengthen democratic institutions. The, as guest Speaker,
Mitzy Capriles de Ledezma, and wife of the Metropolitan Mayor of Caracas reported
the situation of the political prisoners and how hopeful is to her the international
solidarity coming from a new
generation. Nicolas Albertoni, cofounder of the Latin American Youth
Network for Democracy and political
analyst from Georgetown University
explained the soft power and uncovered
the
perceptions
and
attitudes
surrounding regional institutions such
as OAS, MERCOSUR and CELAC.
Furthermore, described how hyperpresidentialism affects democratic
institutions and how their weakening
makes it more difficult for a country to
comply with the Democratic Charter. Additionally, Javier El Hage, legal director of
Human Rights Foundation, enlightened the audience providing them a description
of the legal mechanism and implication of applying the Democratic Charter. Jeanette
Ponce, representative of JuventudLAC in Guatemala moderated the debate.
During the second part of the
session, the participants explored in
one of the groups the importance of
electoral observation in the region
and how fraudulent elections
jeopardize
democracy.
Karla
Velásquez, lawyer, human right
specialist and Juventud Lac adviser,
coordinated the group. On the other
group, coordinated by Javier ElHage,
participants
developed
conclusions containing recommendations and proposals for the purpose of
submission to the Organization of American States.
Legal Analysis Group
1. Javier El-Hage - [email protected] Bolivia
2. Guadalupe Neme - [email protected] Argentina
3. Emilce Olazábal - [email protected] Argentina
4 Mauricio Alarcón Salvador - [email protected] Ecuador
5. María de Lourdes Moutin - [email protected]
6. Juan Carlos Vargas - [email protected] Chile
7. Laura Villa Téllez - [email protected] - Bolivia
8. Byron Rodríguez Palacios - [email protected] GUATEMALA
9. Jonathan Maza Vázquez - [email protected] MÉXICO
10. Rhabeli Estévez - [email protected] REPUBLICA DOMINICANA
11. Vanesa Reynes - [email protected] ARGENTINA
12. Santiago Barrera - [email protected] Argentina
13. Diana Rodríguez - [email protected] - VENEZUELA
14. Luis Martínez [email protected] Venezuela
15. Jeanette Ponce- [email protected] Guatemala
16. José Alves - [email protected] - VENEZUELA
17. Sebastián Schuff - [email protected] - ARGENTINA
18. Tania López Lizca [email protected] Colombia
Electoral Process Group
1. Emilce Olazábal - [email protected] Argentina
2. Vanesa Reynes - [email protected] ARGENTINA
3. Pierre Coeur-Saint JEAN-CLAUDE ([email protected]) - Haiti
4. Victoria Ramírez - [email protected] Ecuador
5. Jorge Luis Vallejo Castello - [email protected] Peru
6. Sebastián Schuff - [email protected] - ARGENTINA
7. Santiago Barrera - [email protected] Argentina
8. Byron Rodríguez [email protected] GUATEMALA
9. Tania López Lizca [email protected] Colombia
10. Leandro Flocco - [email protected] ARGENTINA
POLITICAL INCIDENCE STRATEGY
The members of JuventudLAC in 20 countries made a formal request to the OAS
Ambassadors and Foreign Affairs Ministries to apply the Inter American Democratic
Charter in Venezuela
1) Promotion of the application of the Democratic Charter in Venezuela by the
social networks. 2) Juan Carlos Vargas, JuventudLAC’s Representative in Chile
submitting the letter to the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry.
Latin American Youth Network for Democracy
Working Groups Sessions
Schedule: Monday June 13rd 15.30 -17.00 Tuesday June 14th – 15.30 -17.00
Coordinators: Pedro Cruz, Victoria Ramirez, Tania Lopez
Participants: 50 Latin American Youth Network for Democracy ‘members
Location: Weston Suites Hotel
Goal: Continuity for the action campaigns and work groups that came from the III
Youth and Democracy Regional Forum that took place in San Jose, Costa Rica.
I.
II.
III.
IV.


Countries’ Representatives and Executive Committee Meeting
Coordinator: Jonathan Maza
Participants: 20 countries’ representative’s members of executive committee,
and members of the Consultative Board.
No More Corruption: Fight Against Corruption
Coordinator: Pedro Cruz
Participants: Jorge, Aurora, Xiomy, Edipcia, Christian, Pierre, Byron, Ana.
Results:
 National and regional strategy of the campaign
 Agreement on the approach of the oncepts and messages
Campaign Cuba Decide
Coordinator: Rosa Maria Paya
Participants: Luis Alberto, Sayli, Carolina, Barbara, Felix.
Results:
 International Solidarity and Political Incidence Strategy
 National Movement Organization
 Communication Strategy
Electoral Observers Group
Preparation of material:
o Revision of UN Handbook to strength the methodology of electoral
observation until now implemented by JuventudLAC
Responsible: Aneleymar Rosales/Aníbal Samayoa
o Revision of the EU information about electoral observation
Responsible: Jorge Vallejo
Implementation of Red Ser Fiscal (Be Observer Network) Methology
o Capacity building in Nicaragua and Haiti
o Selection of one responsible per country
o Alliances with political parties and NGOs to organize volunteers
o Planning of a center of observation to publish alerts and denounces on
real time during the electoral journey.
o Communication campaign to promote volunteers and civic engagement.
Responsible: Guadalupe Neme jointly to one responsible per country.
V. To Be Free Campaign (Free the Political Prisoners)
Coordinator: Victoria Ramirez:
Participants: Guada, Rhabeli, Emi, Jeannette, John, Hugo, Juan Carlos, Laura.
Lourdes, Juan.
o Concept
o Story telling at national level under a regional frame to create empathy
o Anybody could be a political prisoner when rules abuses of their power.
o Develop good legal arguments and description regarding the rights that
are violated.
o Informative pack about why is political prisoner and the lack of rule of
law.
o Regional Map of political prisoners ‘cases
o Alerts Systems: Articles, Social Networks, Media
1) Ser Libre Es Campaign Group
2) Cuba Decide Campaign Group
3) Fight Against Corruption Campaign
4) Countries’ Representative and
Executive Committee Meeting
IV Youth and Democracy Regional Forum
Schedule: Tuesday June 14th – 5.30 PM – 9.00 PM
Coordinators: Jatzel Roman
Participants: Around 400 attendees
Location: Mother and Teacher Pontifical Catholic University (PUCMM)
Speakers: Victor Bisonó Haza, Miguel Angel Reyes, Mauricio Alarcón, Biviana
Riviero, Joseph Harold Pierre, Rosa Maria Paya, Servio Tulios Castaños, Pedro Cruz,
Nicolas Albertoni, Javier El-Hage, Karla Velasquez, Jorge Vallejos, Jonathan Mazza,
Jatzel Roman, veronica Rengifo.
Goal: Conduct a series of panels with experts to share their diverse experiences in
relation to electoral observations, political trials, the division of powers, and the
applicability of the Charter in relation to human rights.
Having held previous editions in Mexico, Panama and Costa Rica, the Latin American
Network of Youth for Democracy held its IV Youth and Democracy Forum in the
Dominican Republic with support of the World Movement for Democracy, the
Centre for Public Policy Analysis (CAPP) and other local members of the network.
This forum, on the occasion of the 46th General Assembly of the OAS held in Santo
Domingo, brought together 67 young activists from 19 Latin American countries and
around 330 young Dominicans on Tuesday June 14 at the Pontificia Universidad
Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) to address issues of institutions, defense of
human rights, promoting democracy, civil fight against corruption and
modernization of politics.
Split across several panels in parallel classrooms and the auditorium of the PUCMM,
the forum had as speakers, international guests such as Nicolas Albertoni of
Uruguay who does research at Georgetown University in the United States, Javier ElHage from Bolivia who is director for Latin America at the Human Rights
Foundation, Venezuelan Maria Veronica Rengifo who is the youngest MP in the
country at 21 years old as well as a member of the network, Cuban activist Rosa
Maria Paya who Chairs the network, University Professor and Haitian
representative Joseph Harold Pierre, Guatemalan youth leader Pedro Cruz,
Ecuador's Mauricio Alarcon who is program manager at Fundamedios and Executive
Committee member of the network, and via video, the Cuban-American writer
Carlos Alberto Montaner and opposition leader Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela.
As local counterpart, the speakers were Biviana Riveiro who is President of the
National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), Servio Tulio Castaños who is
executive vice president of the Institutionalism and Justice Foundation (FINJUS) and
Dr. Flavio Dario Espinal who has been Ambassador Dominican in the United States
and to the Organization of American States (OAS).
The welcoming remarks were made by the Dominican National Deputy Victor
Bisonó Haza while Jatzel Roman, Director of CAPP and General Coordinator of the
Network gave the closing.
1) Cuban Youth Dialogue Roundtable’s Members. 2) Session 1: Citizen Participation in
the Fight Against Corruption. 3) Session 2: Reform Agenda for Institutionality.
4) Session 3: Democratic Challenges for the Region
MEDIA IMPACT

12/06/2016 -Hay que trabajar por los valores plasmados en la Carta Democrática:
activista de DD.HH. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2ihT4aD4xM

12/06/2016 "La región debe enfocarse en aplicar Carta Democrática a Venezuela"
NTN24 (Nicolas Albertoni, miembro JuventudLAC)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAk4UXJJIOw

14/06/2016 Luis Almagro: “Hay corrupción desde la extrema izquierda hasta la
extrema
derecha
en
Latinoamérica”http://www.elveedordigital.com/primerplano/item/47497-luis-almagro-hay-corrupcion-desde-la-extrema-izquierda-hasta-laextrema-derecha-en-latinoamerica

15/06/2016 Luis Almagro dice hay corrupción en Latinoamérica
http://www.sincortapisa.com/scpp/portada/luis-almagro-dice-corrupcion-latinoamerica/

15/06/2016 Rosa María Payá a Almagro: 'No se quede en el referendo venezolano
y apoye también el derecho a decidir de los cubanos'
http://www.diariodecuba.com/derechos-humanos/1465997728_23098.html

15/06/2016 - HRF elogia la 'claridad moral' de Almagro al activar la Carta
Democrática
contra
el
régimen
de
Venezuela
http://www.diariodecuba.com/internacional/1466238105_23171.html

15/06/2016 - Mitzy de Ledezma: Maduro ni ayuda ni se deja ayudar
http://atodomomento.com/mitzy-de-ledezma-maduro-ni-ayuda-ni-se-deja-ayudar/
http://www.losreportesdelichi.com/mitzy-de-ledezma-en-la-oea-maduro-ni-ayuda-ni-sedeja-ayudar/

15/06/2016 - Ito Bisonó: “Nos urge cultivar la cultura democrática”
http://eldia.com.do/ito-bisono-nos-urge-cultivar-la-cultura-democratica/
http://www.elmetrodigital.com/?p=52570

15/06/2016 - Organismos de la sociedad civil promueven foro juvenil
http://cegodem.org/tag/yab/

17/06/2016 - Entrevista a Henry Constantin, participante del Foro de
JuventudLAC
http://www.martinoticias.com/a/124304.html
 21/06/2016 Cuba: Activistas detenidos tras reunión con Almagro
http://www.miamidiario.com/politica/cuba/oea/luis-almagro/human-rightsfoundation/mesa-de-dialogo-de-la-juventud-cubana/360877

21/06/2016 Mensaje de Maria Corina Machado al Campus CAPP/IV Foro
Juventud y Democracia en República Dominicana http://www.capp.org.do/mensaje-de-
maria-corina-machado-al-campus-cappiv-foro-juventud-y-democracia-en-republicadominicana/

24/06/2016- Guatemala, el milagro de Latinoamérica
http://contrapoder.com.gt/2016/06/24/guatemala-el-milagro-de-latinoamerica/

24/06/2016 - Dirigente juvenil cree urge una renovación política en RD
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/06/24/dirigente-juvenil-cree-urge-una-renovacionpolitica

28/06/2016 - Participación de la Red Latinoamericana de Jóvenes por la
democracia en la 46° Asamblea General de la OEA
http://www.lalinternaazul.com/#!Participación-de-la-Red-Latinoamericana-de-Jóvenespor-la-democracia-en-la-46°-Asamblea-General-de-laOEA/c193z/57717aeb0cf231749dc819d4

28/06/2016 -Juventud de ABP exige celeridad en caso del estudiante Ronny
Navarro http://noticiaaldia.com/2016/06/juventud-de-abp-exige-celeridad-en-caso-delestudiante-ronny-navarro%E2%80%8F/

29/06/2016 -Radiografía de la coyuntura política de Haití
http://acento.com.do/2016/actualidad/8360902-radiografia-la-coyuntura-politica-haiti/
 05/07/2016 Mitzy Ledezma en Debate sobre Aplicabilidad Democratica
http://alcaldeledezma.com/portal/index.php/noticias

Dirigente juvenil cree urge una renovación política
http://www.elperiodicolaprensa.com/2016/06/dirigente-juvenil-cree-urge-una.html
Almagro’s tweets: 1) During the meeting with JuventudLAC, 2) With the audience given
to the Nicaraguan delegation of JuventudLAC to analyze the electoral perspective in that
country.
LIST OF PARTICIPANTS
1. Micaela Hierro Dori – Honorary President JuventudLAC (Argentina)
2. Rosa María Paya – President (Cuba)
3. Jatzel Román –General Coordinator (Dominican Republic)
4. Jonathan Maza – Secretary General (Mexico)
5. Mauricio Alarcón – Institutional Affairs Coordinator (Ecuador)
6. Emilio Orellana (Representative in El Salvador)
7. Victoria Ramírez (Representative in Ecuador)
8. Laura Villa (Representative in Bolivia)
9. Joseph Harold P. (Representative in Haití)
10. Juan Arturo Recio (Representative in Dominican Republic)
11. Aurora Espina (Representative in México)
12. Jeanette Ponce (Representative in Guatemala)
13. Christian Núñez (Representative in Uruguay)
14. Adolfo Flores (Representative in Venezuela)
15. Xiomara Acevedo (Representative in Colombia)
16. Jorge Luis Vallejo (Representative in Perú)
17. Barbara Carmona (Representative in Panamá)
18. Juan Carlos Vargas (Representative in Chile)
19. Luis Alberto Mariño (Representative in Cuba)
20. Sayli Navarro (Cuba)
21. Kirenia Núñez (Cuba)
22. Oscar Luis Milian Reinoso (Cuba)
23. Yoandris Gutiérrez (Cuba)
24. José Rolando Casares (Cuba)
25. Henry Constantin (Cuba)
26. Carlos Amel Oliva (Cuba)
27. Pedro Cruz (Guatemala)
28. John David Esteban (Venezuela)
29. Jose Martínez (Venezuela)
30. Aneleymar Rosales (Venezuela)
31. Ana Karian Garcia (Venezuela)
32. Diana Carolina Rodriguez Ruiz (Venezuela)
33. Juan Flores (Venezuela)
34. Luis Martinez (Venezuela)
35. Jose Leonardo Caldera (Venezuela)
36. Tito Alves (Venezuela)
37. Verónica Rengifo (Venezuela)
38. Edipcia Dubon (Nicaragua)
39. Hugo Lopez (Bolivia)
40. Jose Gabriel Zura (El Salvador)
41. Tania Lopez (Colombia)
42. Byron Rodriguez (Guatemala)
43. Maria Lourdes Moutin (Argentina)
44. Guadalupe Neme (Argentina)
45. Maria Lucila Lehmann (Argentina)
46. Sebastian Schuff (Argentina)
47. Elina Castillo (Dominican Republic)
48. Miguel Reyes (Dominican Republic)
49. Rafael Acosta (Dominican Republic)
50. Jennifer Gomez ((Dominican Republic)
51. Jose Julio (Dominican Republic)
52. Pierre Jean Claude (Haiti)
LIST OF SPECIAL SPEAKERS
53. Karla Velasquez (Venezuela- Consultative Board- Speaker)
54. Javier El-Hage (Bolivia- Consultative Board- Speaker)
55. Carolina Quiñonez (Guatemala- Consultative Board- Moderator)
56. Nicolás Albertoni (Uruguay- Speaker)