Instituto de Desarrollo  del Pensamiento Patria Soñada (IDPPS) is an initiative of Global Peace Foundation –Paraguay. It is a think tank that brings together heads of state, academics, social scientists and civil society to consider the pressing issue of the day and generate innovative solutions guided by principles and values.

IDPPS was central in issuing the Asunción Declaration. Current and former heads of state from around the Americas committed to good-governance and sustainable development.Through its ongoing programs and initiatives, IDPPS has set the bar for of the moral and ethical standards of national leaders.

Below is IDPPS’s translated vision and  mission statement.

Vision

To be the architects who establish the future society of Paraguay founded upon universally relevant ethical and moral principles and values: a society transformed in its socio-political structure that promotes sustainable development.

Mission

To make Paraguay an exemplary nation by contributing to Paraguay’s development.  To this end, this association of free, responsible individuals committed to the supreme values proclaimed in the Preamble of our National Constitution, challenges to become a forum and occasion for dialog, analysis and incubation of innovative and motivating ideas of change and orientation for decisions that affect the state of our nation. To make significant contributions to forming a great nation build upon healthy families; a thriving civil society characterized by its good government and an educational system with high levels of civic and social excellence.

 History

IDPPS is a non-profit association that brings together intellectuals and thinkers from multiple disciplines who are committed to research and analysis, identifying obstacles in different fields  that are impeding national development, and providing evidence-based, practical solutions grounded in universal principles and values such as human dignity, freedom, equality, justice, love and solidarity. To make solutions and proposals available to the general public and leaders of public policy, particularly leaders who are responsible for developing new policies that will secure the Dream of our homeland.

 Click here for the IDPPS website (in Spanish).

Original post first appeared on Global Peace Foundation.

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Former President of Paraguay, Juan Carlos Wasmosy, opened the Americas Summit by stating, “What is happening before my eyes here in Atlanta is a dream come true.”

Presidents Wasmosy, Lacalle and Cerezo spearheaded the Latin American Presidential Mission launched at the Global Peace Convention 2012. In 2010 they signed the Asuncion Declaration, and have worked together since.

His journey to Atlanta began in October 2010, at the first Global Peace Leadership Convention in Paraguay. At that convention, Global Peace Foundation founder Dr. Hyun Jin Moon challenged Latin American leaders to “pave the path to peace and reconciliation in this hemisphere by becoming a leader in the global peace process through the vision of ‘one family under God’.”

Dr. Moon referenced the United States to stress that peace and stability are not determined by the economic or political structure of the state, but by its founding principles. The United States was founded upon a declaration that all men are “endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights” that supersede any man-made authority.

President Wasmosy recalls how he and a handful of others, including  Luis Alberto Lacalle (former president of Uruguay) and Vinicio Cerezo (former president of Guatemala), responded to the challenge and signed the Asunción Declaration. They affirmed their “desire to work – beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic differences – for the unity of Latin America as a continent of peace and future that can shine light in a world filled with uncertainties and confusion.”

The Declaration is constructed upon spiritual and universal “civic values and virtues,” as a means to address the social and economic issues of the region as well as build greater Latin American solidarity and hemispheric cooperation. It has become the impetus for a continental movement.

Over the next year, the Global Peace Foundation, worked together with the “Instituto de Desarrollo del Pensamiento Patria Soñada”(IDPPS), a think-tank in Paraguay, the “Esquipulas Foundation for the Intergration of Central America” based in Guatemala, and the “Uruguay Leadership Conference” gathering notable former and current national leaders who resonate with the vision elucidated in the Asuncion Declaration.

Eight former presidents from Latin America convened in Atlanta to launch the Latin American Presidential Mission. Additional support came from six additional Latin and Central American countries.

President Wasmosy recounted how his circle of friends and colleagues who shared in the dream of a Latin American revival continued to grow.

The next year, 2011, a second international conference was convened in the Brazilian capital of Brasilia. It focused on the issues of ethics, energy, and food security, emphasizing that sustainable development must be built upon ethical principles. It resulted in the Brasilia Declaration that expanded on specific points of the Asuncion Declaration and called on Latin Americans “to recognize and overcome our past mistakes and to dream again and achieve the great goals of this continent.”

Shortly thereafter, former Presidents Wasmosy, Cerezo and Lacalle met together in Paraguay with the directors of the supporting foundations and think-tanks of their respective countries and proposed the creation of the Latin American Presidential Mission to be officially founded at the Global Peace Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. The mission calls upon current and former Latin American heads of state to bring their “Leadership, Testimony and Action” to secure the future of Latin America and forge greater hemispheric cooperation based on principles, values and aspirations common in both Americas.

President Wasmosy stated, “Our conscience and ideals chart the map for our lives, our families, our leaders, our nations and an ideal world.”

The Americas Summit examined the shared values of the Americas, the common challenge and need for better education, and opportunities for hemispheric integration through trade and investment.

President Mesa of Bolivia signs the Presidential Mission as President Colom from Guatemala and President Barletta of Panama look on.

On December 1^st, the Americas Summit concluded with the signing of the founding document of the Latin American Presidential Mission by eight former presidents from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Panama, Ecuador, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay. They were supported by eight additional former presidents from Mexico, Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, Guatemala and El Salvador who were unable to attend but sent video messages and letters of support.

It may be a “dream come true” but is also a challenge to pursue a bigger dream. Every member of the Latin American Presidential Mission is committed to “take up the mantle of moral and innovative leaders and build a legacy of the highest ideals for our communities, nations and the entire human family.”

Credits to Mr. Thomas Field, Regional Coordinator, GPF Regional Representative for Latin America

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In 2010, I was in Asuncion, Paraguay for the first Latin American Global Peace Leadership Conference. At the conclusion of the conference, participants issued and ratified the Asuncion Declaration.

It was a historic milestone that laid the ground for continued progress in Paraguay and Latin America. Two years prior, Paraguay had held its first ever peaceful transition of power. Similarly, other countries in Latin America have been moving towards political stability and economic progress.

The signers affirmed their “desire to work – beyond religious, political, social, and ethnic differences – for the unity of Latin America as a continent of peace and future that can shine light in a world filled with uncertainties and confusion.” It outlined the need to “revive the civic values and virtues that reflect the better spiritual, democratic, and plural traditions of humanity in this continent,” and “promote education in ethical principles and universal values that can empower children and young adults to become better human beings and good citizens”. And it entrusted this nontransferable “sacred duty” upon “media outlets, and especially those having more influence and reputation.”

The declaration presents a new approach to peacebuilding and development. It integrates not just economic, political and diplomatic strategies. It grounds itself in shared spiritual and universal values and principles. It also outlines a vision large enough to bring together all the diverse nations, cultures and faiths into a united Latin American effort to “cement one America of liberty and peace, under a culture of mutual respect”.

I was honored to be part of such a historical event. They have made it their personal commitment to see declaration through. It has given birth to many substantial discussions and initiatives.

Latin America is in a period of great transition and opportunity. To seize these opportunities, we have to see beyond old way and grasp a new vision of the future. That moment stands as one where courageous people stepped with a renewed spirit of leadership to commit to a vision would guide this region through the demands of this new era.

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