President Otto Perez Molina, of Guatemala greets members of the Latin American Presidential Mission.

On September 11, the 4^th Esquipulas Regional Forum was hosted in Guatemala City. The forum entitled, “The Central American Dream: A Reality in Construction” was an in-depth discussion of challenges facing Central America.

The Esquipulas Foundation together with the Latin American Presidential Mission were the primary organizers. Co-conveners included the Ministry of International Relations and the Presidential Office of Guatemala, local and regional businesses, and NGOs including the Global Peace Foundation, Guatemalan Red Cross, think-tank IDPPS, and the National Leadership Conference of Uruguay.

Ms. Olinda Salguero, Director of Esquipulas Foundation, said of the forum, “This space is to promote the development of the region, democracy, peace and integration.” Nine former heads of state of the Latin American Presidential Mission, participated in the forum along with many other experts from fields such as human rights, education, and business.

The regional representative of the Global Peace Foundation for Latin America, Mr. Thomas Field, introduced the former presidents at the plenary entitled, “Strengthening Democracy and Integration for Latin American Development”, while the former president of Guatemala and founder of the Esquipulas Foundation, Dr. Vinicio Cerezo, called on forum participants to consider paths to move the process for integration of Central American forward. . “The models of development since 1994 have not resolved many of the issues that remain after the peace process, such as social problems and the equal inclusion of the people in the country’s wealth and welfare,” he said.

Top to bottom: Members of the Latin American Presidential Mission present at the 4th Esquipulas Regional Forum, former presidents: Carlos Mesa of Bolivia, Ernesto Semper of Colombia, Dr. Antonio Saca, of El Salvador, Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, Nicolás Ardito Barletta of Panama, Gustavo Noboa of Ecuador, and Alvaro Colom of Guatemala, Global Peace Foundation regional representative of Latin America introduces former presidents, Olinda Salguero, Director of the Esquipulas Foundation

The forum featured six panels addressing a wide-range of issues related to Central American development.

• Panel one addressed how to protect and raise youth to become active participants in nation-building. It also addressed issues of gender based violence, a major hindrance to development.
• The second and fifth panel discussed development opportunities through science, technology and a green economy. Panelists urged cross-sector cooperation, and innovation driven by a common regional vision.
• The third panel, entitled, “Peace, Democracy and Integration for Development” examined the progress that has been made in Central America since the Esquipulas Agreements I and II. While the region has seen a relative period of peace and democracy, there are still outstanding issues like impending conflicts and unequal access to development opportunities. Panelists took a closer look at how to forge ahead using assets like its geographical location and increased regional integration.
• The fourth panel took on a hot topic in Central America: justice and regional security in light of the ongoing battle against drugs. Dubbed the “North-Triangle” of Central America, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras have seen increasing drug activity. Drug activity has migrated there to avoid international surveillance in Mexico, Colombia and the Caribbean. The drug trade has had major adverse effects, from compromising rule of law, to affecting youth culture, and increased local violence. The panel examined concrete alternative to fighting the drug war.
• The sixth panel reframed the geopolitics of the region. Panelists recognized that improved transportation and communication technology has made the world a “global village. Recognizing the changing landscape allows for new opportunities for business and trade, regional cooperation and democratic participation.

The Latin American Presidential Mission (LAPM) continues to grow and expand since its launching at the 2012 Global Peace Convention in Atlanta. Each former president brings their particular experience and wisdom to the table. Staying true to its founding commitment, the LAPM focuses on the underlying universal principles and values when discussing hot topics concerning the American Hemisphere.

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Latin American Presidential Mission Discussion Panel (left to right Juan Carlos Wasmosy, Jaime Paz Zamora, Gustavo Noboa, Carlos Mesa )

Since its inception in 2012, the members of the Latin American Presidential Mission have pledged their experience, leadership and action in service to the development, stability and growth of the American Hemisphere.

Recently the Latin American Presidential Mission organized two conferences in Montevideo, Uruguay on August 19-20. The first, “Democracy, Rule of Law and the Judiciary System,” took on specific and timely challenges that have threatened the democratic stability and economic development of particularly, the Central American region.

Since the turn of the decade, the Central American countries that stand in the thoroughfare of the south to north trafficking of illegal drugs, firearms and people, have witnessed an insurgence of violence and lawlessness. Studies have shown that lawlessness and political instability have direct impact on foreign investment, effectively stalling economic development.

The conference directly confronted issues such as the rising corruption and violence in Central America, as well as the necessity for a separation of state powers: judicial, executive and legislative, to ensure good governance and judicial transparency. According to IDPPS, a conference co-sponsor, “The separation of powers is a major determinant of whether Latin America progresses towards or regresses away from securing the liberties and rights of its people, which are the symbols of a free society.”

Along with former presidents Juan Carlos Wasmosy of Paraguay, Luis Alberto Lacalle and Jorge Batlle of Uruguay, Gustavo Noboa of Ecuador, Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, Jaime Paz Zamora of Bolivia, other leaders signed the Montevideo Declaration, pledging to defend democracy in Latin America.

Vinicio Cerezo mentors up and coming leaders at the conference on mentoring current and up and coming leadership

The second conference was a step towards forging mentorships between the former presidents and the next generation. The conference entitled, “Emerging Leadership and the Experience of Former Presidents” allowed the former leaders to candidly put forth their experiences and wisdom to the younger generation. They concluded that principles and values are the compass by which good leaders navigate through crisis.

Olinda Salguero, Director of the Esquipulas Foundation urged Central American leaders to work towards securing a better rule of law and democratic system to ensure the engagement of the young population. The majority of the population in Central America is under 35 years old, however, despite being better educated, a deficit of opportunities and civic and character education has led to their disenfranchisement. As a result, many youth have become a part of the violence and illegal activities of the region. Inter-generational dialogue such as the second conference, offer new paths for cultivating positive values and role models as well as opportunities.

The network of former presidents continues to grow, and they have made notable impact on the region. During conferences, they provided a much needed principled-based perspective to address challenging issues like governance, development and most recently rule of law. Moreover, their commitment to “the values and civic virtues of the best spiritual, democratic, and pluralistic traditions of humanity” has secured stability and attracted foreign investors in countries such as Paraguay.

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Members of the Latin American Presidential Mission, former presidents (left to right) Alvaro Colom and Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, Ernesto Samper of Columbia. Carlos Mesa of Bolivia and Juan Carlos Wasmosy of Paraguay.

Five former presidents, members of the Latin American Presidential Mission , demonstrated their continued commitment to public service, offering their experience and insights during the special sessions of the international conference on “Governance, Ethics and Development”, held in Asuncion, Paraguay on June 11. The Latin American Presidential Mission was a co-convener of the conference.

The conference highlighted Paraguay as the foreground for Latin American growth. Korean businessmen from banks, investment firms, and construction companies attended to consider prospects of furthering Paraguay-Korea trade relations.

 “Development and Democratic Sustainability vs. Populism”

In the session entitled “Development and Democratic Sustainability vs. Populism” former presidents Carlos Mesa of Bolivia and Alvaro Colom of Guatemala candidly described the challenges of establishing political stability and development. They emphasized the importance of republican values and service to the people.

Former President Mesa warned against constructing systems of power based on one person. “When the political process is a person, when a person is revolution, is change, is legitimacy, democratic institutions are weakened or destroyed completely. It is a terribly destructive factor,” said President Mesa according to ABC Color.

President Mesa said that the presence of what he called “neo-populous states” in Latin America does not signify a trend towards authoritarianism. Instead he observes that Latin America “is progressively strengthening its democratic mechanisms of reform and republican values.”

ABC Color reported President Colom describing the significant progress that Guatemala has made. Ten years ago, it would have been unthinkable to have investments from Chile, Brazil and Peru like there are today. President Colom commented that healthy populism works for the citizens: to reduce poverty, improve health coverage, education, and care for the young. However, populism instated for personal electoral interests is damaging.

Former senator and current Minister of the Court of Accounts of Uruguay, Ruperto Enzo Long, who also sat on the panel, stressed that ethics must underlie all policies for economic and social development. In his home country, policies have not closed the gap between rich and poor by stimulating a vibrant middle class, instead cash transfer programs have stagnated generations of citizens in poverty.

 “Economic Integration with Ethics without Ideological Prejudices”

Former president Juan Carlos Wasmosy urged for regional economic integration based on shared interests rather than competing national interests and ideological differences in the session entitled “Economic Integration with Ethics without Ideological Prejudices”

UltimaHora reported President Wasmosy calling Paraguay’s recent exclusion from MERCOSUR, a regional trade organization, “selfish” and based on “meaningless ideological disputes.” He said, “Without freedom there can be no trade integration.” He called for greater regional cooperation based on shared values and common interests.

 “The democratic system must be functional and deliver the promise of the citizens’ well-being. Therefore it cannot be ideological. It is permissible for political parties to have ideology, but the democratic system must transcend the right or left; it must be fair and functional.” Former President Vinicio Cerezo, Guatemala

According to UPI Español, fellow panelists, Brazilian Deputy Nelson Maquezelli, assured Paraguayan leaders that Brazil is working to receive Paraguay back into MERCOSUR “with the red carpet”.

The session also examined the challenges of ethical and sustainable economic growth, particularly the challenge of conserving natural resources for future generations while meeting the urgent needs of the most vulnerable in Latin America. Conclusively the session recognized the need to identify the unique strengths of each nation while generating a common regional and global vision upon which long-lasting economic relations can grow.

“Economic Investment for Democratic Stability and Social Development in Latin America,”

Members of the Latin American Presidential Mission stressed the importance of ethics in governance and development.

Former presidents Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala and Ernesto Samper of Columbia spoke during the session entitled “Economic Investment for Democratic Stability and Social Development in Latin America,” with Gonzalo Quintana, former senator of Paraguay.

President Cerezo said, “The democratic system must be functional and deliver the promise of the citizens’ well-being. Therefore it cannot be ideological. It is permissible for political parties to have ideology, but the democratic system must transcend the right or left; it must be fair and functional.”

President Semper stressed the need for a return to ethics in politics. Politics, he said, should be a dialectic of ideas discussed before the people, not a monopoly of one ideology.

Both former presidents stressed that democratic stability will open doors to international trade and investment and economic progress in Latin America.

The members of the Latin American Presidential Mission have pledged  to secure better hemispheric cooperation and regional development, and put forth  their experience, knowledge and testimony to do so. They have reached a consensus that these goals can only be achieved by upholding certain universal principles and values.

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June 12, 2013| Asuncion, Paraguay

Global Peace Foundation Chairman Hyun Jin Preston
Moon addresses a conference on Governance, Ethics, and Development in Asunción.

Stressing their shared moral and spiritual roots, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Chairman Dr. Hyun Jin Preston Moon called for closer cooperation between the nations of North and South America, in Asuncion, Paraguay, on June 11 2013. “Leaders in both the U.S. and in Latin America need to understand the import and opportunity that can be found in the mutual relationships of the Americas,” he told participants at the international conference on “Government, Ethics, and Development.”

The one-day conference was sponsored by Instituto de Desarrollo del Pensamiento Patria Soñada, a GPF-supported research institute in Asunción, and

Global Peace Foundation Paraguay, with support of the Latin American Presidential Mission, Esquipulas Foundation of Guatemala, the Leadership Conference of Uruguay, and others. The conference included the participation of former Presidents Juan Carlos Wasmosy of Paraguay, Vinicio Cerezo and Alvaro Colom of Guatemala, Ernesto Samper of Colombia, and Carlos Mesa of Bolivia.

The program presented sessions of the challenge of consolidating democracy in Latin America; economic investment to advance stable democratic governance and social development; the tension between democracy and populism; and economic investment to moderate conflict and instability.

“Enduring relationships that yield good results must be based upon ethical principles and shared values, for these provide the foundation that fosters mutual respect, collaborative efforts, and shared benefits.”

He stressed the need to seriously and comprehensively address issues such as security and social inequity in the country. “Many people are looking to Paraguay after years of international isolation,” Dr. Altamirano said, “and for the first time this forces the country to think strategically.” Dr. Jose Altamirano, Director of Instituto de Desarrollo del Pensamiento Patria Soñada, said that the incoming government will need to emphasize effectiveness and efficiency as an “inevitable direction, because otherwise efforts disperse.”

Above: Former Heads on State from four Latin American
countries addressed the conference, which drew participation
from government leaders, scholars, and business professionals.

In his remarks, Dr. Moon also recalled his experience among the Paraguayan people, especially fireside talks at camps on a cattle drive through Alto Paraguay amid some of the poorest towns and indigenous communities. “Paraguay’s history reflects the heart of a peace-loving, inclusive people who, unlike other nations in the Americas, embraced the native population, even adopting their language of Guarani as part of the national heritage,” he said.

The GPF Chairman further underscored the importance of the founding of the Latin American Presidential Mission, comprised of nearly 20 former Heads of State, at the Global Peace Convention in Atlanta in December 2012. He said the Presidential Mission is committed to strengthening relations between the North, Central and South America and the Caribbean as well as promoting a hemispheric spiritual awakening centered on universal principles and values.

“Leaders in both the U.S. and in Latin America need to understand the import and opportunity that can be found in the mutual relationships of the Americas,” Dr. Moon said. “Most importantly, enduring relationships that yield good results must be based upon ethical principles and shared values, for these provide the foundation that fosters mutual respect, collaborative efforts, and shared benefits.”

Visit: www.globalpeace.org for the full story.

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