![](media/image2.png){width="1.31875in" height="1.125in"}[The United
States and the Summit of the Americas]{.underline}

***An update on U.S. actions to implement the hemisphere's agenda***

##### 

##### *April 2003*

*Together, let us go forward to build an age of prosperity in a
hemisphere of liberty.  Together, let us use this Summit of the Americas
to launch the century of the Americas.*

*\-- President George W. Bush, Quebec City, Canada, April 21, 2001*

Three months after his inauguration in 2001, President George W. Bush
attended the third Summit of the Americas in Quebec City, Canada,
joining the 33 other democratic leaders of the hemisphere in renewing
and expanding their common agenda for the hemisphere. This agenda, built
on the accomplishments and work initiated in the 1994 Miami Summit and
the 1998 Santiago Summit, reflects the values of democracy, human
rights, and open markets shared by the region's leaders, and their
acknowledged responsibility to actively defend those values.

The Summit of the Americas is a unique mechanism for the heads of state
and heads of governments to discuss solutions to common political,
economic, and social problems in a multilateral and comprehensive way.
The Quebec City Summit focused on strengthening democracy, creating
prosperity, and realizing human potential. Leaders at the Quebec City
Summit mandated creation of the Inter-American Democratic Charter and
emphasized the need to address areas like health, education and
equitable growth that directly improve people's quality of life.

Since 2001, the United States has committed hundreds of millions of
dollars and thousands of hours of labor to make this common vision a
reality. U.S. National Coordinator for the Summit of the Americas
Ambassador Roger F. Noriega oversees U.S. efforts to implement this
hemispheric agenda. The following are highlights of actions related to
each of the eighteen initiatives stemming from the Quebec Summit.[^1]

## Summit of Americas Plan of Action

> 1\. Making Democracy Work Better 9. Environmental Foundation for
>
> 2\. Human Rights and Fundamental Sustainable Development
>
> Freedoms 10. Agriculture Management and
>
> 3\. Justice, Rule of Law, Security Rural Development
>
> of the Individual 11. Labor and Employment
>
> 4\. Hemispheric Security 12. Growth with Equity
>
> 5\. Civil Society 13. Education
>
> 6\. Trade, Investment, and Financial 14. Health
>
> Stability 15. Gender Equality
>
> 7\. Infrastructure and Regulatory 16. Indigenous Peoples
>
> Environment 17. Cultural Diversity
>
> 8\. Disaster Management 18. Children and Youth
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.8777777777777778in"}

On September 11, 2001, Secretary of State Colin Powell and other foreign
ministers adopted the [Inter-American Democratic
Charter.](http://www.oas.org/charter/docs/resolution1_en_p4.htm) Through
this Charter, 34 nations of the Americas acknowledged the essential
elements of democracy and committed themselves to practice, protect and
promote its principles. Member states have applied the Charter in
Venezuela and referred to it in the course of seeking solutions for
Haiti.

As a member of the convening group of the global [Community of
Democracies](http://www.cd2002.go.kr/) (CD), the United States worked
with other hemispheric CD members at the second CD ministerial meeting
in Seoul, Korea in 2002 to highlight the Inter-American Democratic
Charter as a model for other regions.

In 2002, the United States contributed some \$140 million toward
[strengthening democratic systems and elections
observation](http://www.usaid.gov/democracy/lac/lac.html) throughout the
hemisphere. This included elections-related assistance to Bolivia,
Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Peru.

The United States is one of 28 countries in the hemisphere that has
ratified the [Inter-American Convention against
Corruption](http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/Treaties/b-58.html), the
first internationally binding agreement to focus specifically on
corruption. The Convention has already proved valuable in facilitating
the extradition from the United States to Peru of two fugitives charged
in a corruption scandal, and a [Follow-Up
Mechanism](http://www.oas.org/juridico/english/followup.htm) mandated by
leaders at Quebec is monitoring implementation of the Convention to
ensure that countries take full advantage of the Convention to fight
corruption.

President Bush announced the [American Fellows
Program](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/04/20010423-6.html)
at the Quebec Summit to promote excellence in government through the
exchange of government personnel. Exchanges began in 2002 and up to 20
Fellows will participate in 2003.

> The United States ratified two Protocols to the [Convention on the
> Rights of the Child](http://193.194.138.190/html/menu3/b/k2crc.htm) in
> 2002. The Optional Protocol on Involvement of Children in Armed
> Conflict makes it a crime to force children into military service,
> raises the age for the draft to 18, and promotes cooperation to rescue
> and rehabilitate former child combatants. The Optional Protocol on the
> Sale of Children, Child Prostitution, and Child Pornography, which
> requires countries to outlaw pornography and prostitution by children,
> provides tools to improve law enforcement cooperation and to help
> ensure that offenders can be prosecuted regardless of where they are

found. Its extensive provisions on cooperation and prevention will help
child victims receive protection and assistance.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.8673611111111111in"}The
United States has worked to strengthen human rights protections by
supporting additional funding for the [inter-American human rights
system](http://www1.umn.edu/humanrts/inter-americansystem.htm) and by
providing funds to strengthen governmental and non-governmental
organizations at a national level charged with preventing human rights
violations.

The United States actively participates in the [Inter-American Drug
Abuse Commission (CICAD)](http://www.cicad.oas.org/) and its unique
[Mutual Evaluation Mechanism
(MEM)](http://www.cicad.oas.org/MEM/eng/mem/Main.htm). CICAD is helping
strengthen regional cooperation on drug-related matters, while the MEM
is helping countries in the hemisphere assess our collective progress
against the drug problem.

In 2002, the United States devoted over \$34.3 million for [justice and
anticorruption support](http://www.usaid.gov/democracy/rol.html) in
Latin America and the Caribbean.

The United States is a core contributor, with the Inter-American
Development Bank and other donors, to the [Justice Studies Center of the
Americas](http://www.cejamericas.org/), which works to raise the quality
of justice systems throughout the Americas.

The United States and 32 other states have signed the [Inter-American
Convention Against
Terrorism](http://www.oas.org/xxxiiga/english/docs_en/docs_items/AGres1840_02.htm)
since the OAS General Assembly adopted the text in June 2002. Once it
enters into force, the Convention will help strengthen regional
cooperation, particularly related to financial and border controls,
technical assistance and mutual legal assistance.

The United States pledged \$1 million in January 2003 to support the
[Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism
(CICTE).](http://www.cicte.oas.org/) This contribution will nurture
CICTE's work to increase counter terrorism expertise in the Americas.

The United States is among those leading regional efforts to [strengthen
hemispheric security](http://www.oas.org/csh/english/default.htm)
through a multilateral process mandated by Quebec Summit. In February
2003, the United States hosted a [Meeting of Experts on Confidence and
Security Building Measures](http://www.state.gov/t/pm/rls/rm/18529.htm).
This meeting, which featured active consultations with civil society,
adopted a strong Declaration and an Illustrative List of measures as a
basis for active steps by states in the hemisphere trying to overcome
historical legacies, tension, and hostility. Later this year, the United
States will participate in the [Special Conference on
Security](http://www.oas.org/csh/ces/en/), where countries will build on
existing frameworks and complement them with a cooperative hemispheric
security approach that can effectively address threats, concerns and
challenges in the region.

> ![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.875in"}The U.S.
> Government regularly consults civil society on the negotiations for
> the [Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA)](http://www.ustr.gov/).
> The negotiating texts for the FTAA Agreement have been released twice
> to the public and there is an open and ongoing invitation for [public
> comment on the FTAA texts and process](http://www.ftaa-alca.org/)**.**
> The FTAA Committee of Government Representatives on the Participation
> of Civil Society meets to coordinate input from civil society into the
> process and arrange for public hearings throughout the FTAA
> negotiations.

The United States strongly supports efforts to institutionalize and
broaden [**civil society participation in the
OAS**](http://www.civil-society.oas.org/), using the example of the
civil society consultations that occurred prior to the 2001 Summit. The
OAS General Assembly will consider a new set of guidelines for increased
participation in June 2003. The OAS has an ongoing invitation to civil
society groups to register and participate in OAS and Summit meetings.

The United States funds the [Inter-American Democracy Network
(IADN)](http://www.partners.net/membership/resource_info.htm#iadn), a
network of 229 civil society organizations in 24 countries of the
Americas, as a means of supporting civil society participation in the
Summit process. The IADN provides training on techniques and
methodologies to increase citizen participation in decision-making. IADN
members led in the formulation of national Summit agendas in 18
countries, are leading civil society efforts to monitor Summit
implementation, and consult regularly with the OAS on Summit
initiatives.

> The United States continues active negotiations for a [Free Trade Area
> of the Americas (FTAA)](http://www.ustr.gov/), which are scheduled for
> conclusion by January 2005. Originally proposed at the Miami Summit of
> the Americas in 1994, the hemisphere's leaders recommitted themselves
> to the FTAA at the 2001 Quebec Summit. The FTAA will create the
> world\'s largest free trade market.
>
> Regional trade ministers have endorsed the U.S. proposal for a
> Hemispheric Cooperation Program (HCP) to help

small and developing countries in the region fully benefit from the
FTAA. In 2002, the United States contributed over \$102 million toward
[trade capacity building](http://www.ustr.gov/new/tcb.htm) activities
for countries participating in the FTAA.

The United States has signed eleven [Bilateral Investment Treaties
(BITs)](http://www.state.gov/e/eb/ifd/c644.htm) with countries in the
Western Hemisphere. BITs help make investment more attractive by
providing greater security for investors and strengthening the economic
linkages between the United States and other countries.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.875in"}Recognizing that
businesses have a central role to play in building prosperous societies
that benefit all citizens, the United States co-sponsored, with the
Inter-American Development Bank, the first hemisphere-wide conference on
[Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)](http://www.csramericas.org/) in
September 2002. Over 500 representatives from business, civil society,
government, multilateral organizations, and the media gathered to
discuss the benefits of corporate social responsibility and to explore
opportunities for partnerships among different sectors of society. In
2003, the United States will help organize additional conferences on CSR
in Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama. These conferences will expose
participants to the benefits of CSR, and foster partnerships between
governments, civil society and business at the local level.

The United States is engaged in efforts to promote improved
communications throughout our hemisphere. The hemispheric leaders'
statement on \"Connecting the Americas\" at the Quebec Summit provided
the basis for an [Agenda on
Connectivity](http://www.citel.oas.org/connecting.asp) that encourages
development of the telecommunications infrastructure and human resource
training to ensure access for all. Governments and the private sector
are now working to realize this Agenda through the [Inter-American
Telecommunication Commission (CITEL).](http://www.citel.oas.org/)

The United States co-chairs the [Western Hemisphere Transportation
Initiative (WHTI),](http://www.transport-americas.org/) which provides a
forum for addressing transportation-related issues such as security,
cooperation, and disaster preparedness and response. The next
Inter-American Transportation Ministerial, scheduled for May 2003 in
Mexico, will reinforce our commitment to closer, safer hemispheric
linkages.

Through the [Third Border
Initiative,](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/04/20010423-5.html)
the United States is providing Caribbean countries with airport security
and aviation safety training, fellowships and on-the-ground direct
technical assistance, with the goal of assuring that travelers in the
Caribbean region enjoy the highest standards for safety and security.

The United States provides assistance for ports and maritime commerce
throughout the region. In cooperation with the Organization of American
States, U.S. officials provide training in [port
security](http://www.marad.dot.gov/Programs/training 2002.html) and
assist countries with port security self-assessments. In 2002, most OAS
member countries participated in port security training and about 200
individuals received instruction. The United States is also at work on a
NAFTA maritime superhighway project.

> The United States co-sponsored the Summit-mandated [Disaster Risk
> Reduction Hemispheric
> Conference](http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2001/pr011204.html) in
> December 2001, which brought together disaster relief experts, members
> of civil society, insurance companies government agencies and donors
> to create a plan for mitigating the impacts of natural hazards and
> improving reconstruction efforts.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.875in"}

The United States supports an extensive risk-management training program
in the region that strengthens the capacity of Latin American and
Caribbean countries to prepare for and respond to disasters. Through
courses such as Search and Rescue from Collapsed Structures and School
Safety, first responders are better able to save lives in the immediate
aftermath of disasters. The United States complements this work with
targeted mitigation assistance that enhances the disaster management
capabilities of national and regional institutions in the Hemisphere.

The United States supports [conferences and practical exercises in
disaster management](http://www.cdmha.org/conferences/) for military and
government representatives from throughout the Western Hemisphere. These
programs include simulations of disaster scenarios, and provide valuable
experience in developing crisis action plans. Sub regional planning
conferences for the Andes, Caribbean, Central America, and Southern Cone
complement larger regional exercises. 

Through the [Third Border
Initiative](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/04/20010423-5.html),
the United States facilitates disaster management efforts throughout the
Caribbean. Four countries in the region recently received U.S. support
for community disaster preparedness, education, and mitigation, in
cooperation with the American Red Cross. Additional U.S. support will
help provide for a disaster management framework in the Caribbean.

In December 2002, the United States hosted a [conference on satellite
data for the Americas](http://noaasis.noaa.gov/miami02/). Some 230
participants discussed the capacity for satellite systems to play an
important role in effective disaster management. The United States also
works with meteorological services in the region to help improve weather
forecasting and understanding of the causes of natural disasters through
the use of satellite data.

The United States is leading the way in environmental protection and
debt mitigation through the [Tropical Forest Conservation
Act](http://www.ustreas.gov/press/releases/po3207.htm). Since the Quebec
Summit, the U.S. has concluded debt-for-nature agreements with El
Salvador, Belize, and Peru, reducing debts by \$42.2 million and
generating \$33.6 million for conservation. Protected areas include a
unique cloud forest in El Salvador, which is home to orchids, rare
spider monkeys, pumas, toucans, and

![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.875in"}striped owls; and
a stretch of the Maya Mountain Marine Corridor in Belize that includes
16 miles of pristine Caribbean coastline.

The United States and Central American countries reached final agreement
on the [Central American-U.S. Joint Declaration Action Plan
(CONCAUSA)](http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2002/13233.htm) in March
2002. Six separate CONCAUSA action plans encourage cooperation in
climate change, disaster preparedness, biodiversity, energy,
environmental legislation, and sustainable economic development.

The United States is supporting innovative approaches to integrated
watershed and marine ecosystem management through the [White Water to
Blue Water Initiative
(WW2BW).](http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/fs/2002/15624.htm) The United
States has committed over \$3 million in WW2BW-related projects for the
Wider Caribbean region, including \$1.5 million in support of a
Meso-American Coral Reef Alliance. The United States will co-sponsor a
WW2BW conference for the Wider Caribbean Region in early 2004.

The United States continues to promote innovative environmental programs
through the [Enterprise for the Americas
(EAI)](http://www.usaid.gov/environment/eai.htm). The EAI has reduced
\$1 billion in bilateral debt and provided foundations in eight
countries with endowments totaling \$175 million for environmental
conservation, child survival, and child development activities.

The United States participated in the Summit-mandated meeting of [Health
and Environment Ministers of the
Americas](http://www.iisd.ca/linkages/sd/sdhem/) in March 2002. As a
result of this meeting, the United States is further intensifying
efforts to build linkages between health and the environment issues. For
example, U.S. government health and environmental agencies are working
closely together to develop children\'s environmental health indicators
in the Americas.

The United States is a partner in the [Clean Air Initiative for Latin
American Cities](http://www.worldbank.org/wbi/cleanair/cailac/index.htm)
and has worked collaboratively to transfer environmental decision-making
tools to major cities in Latin America.

[]{.mark}

In 2002, the United States provided over \$86 million in [environmental
assistance](http://www.usaid.gov/environment/) throughout Latin America
and the Caribbean.

> The United States participated in the first [Inter-American
> Ministerial Meeting on Agriculture and Rural
> Life](http://www.iica.int/cumbres/reuniones.asp) in November 2001,
> where ministers agreed to encourage agricultural trade liberalization
> and rural development. A second ministerial meeting scheduled for
> November 2003 will focus on generating proposals for improving rural
> life throughout the Hemisphere.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.90625in" height="0.875in"}To promote
discussion of cross-cutting agricultural issues, the United States will
take part in the April 2003 [Inter-American Ministerial Meeting on
Agriculture and
Health](http://www.paho.org/English/HCP/HCV/rimsa13index-e.htm).
Representatives will address the impact of concerns such as food safety,
bioterrorism, and human development in rural communities.

Through the [Opportunity
Alliance](http://www.usaid.gov/press/releases/2002/fs021108.html), the
United States is providing nearly \$40 million to assist Central America
and Mexico in realizing opportunities for trade, investment, and rural
economic prosperity. The program focuses in particular on coffee growers
by encouraging coffee quality improvement, competitive marketing, and
business development and diversification.

The United States participates actively in the [Inter-American
Conference of Ministers of Labor (IACML)](http://www.xii-iacml.org/),
which ensures high-level consideration of the labor dimensions of
globalization and hemispheric integration. Ministers have underscored
the importance of social dialogue, labor reforms and
employment-generating policies to achieve economic recovery. The U.S.
funds projects and workshops to support implementation of labor
initiatives from the Quebec Summit of the Americas and the IACML.

Since 2001, the U.S. has provided over \$25 million in grants to assist
14 countries in the Americas to [combat child
labor](http://www.dol.gov/dol/topic/youthlabor/intlchildlabor.htm) in
commercial sexual exploitation, agriculture, small-scale mining,
domestic service and fireworks production.

 

The U.S. funds the [Inter-Summit Property Systems
Initiative](http://www.property-registration.org/) to help coordinate
efforts to register property and implement reforms throughout the
hemisphere, according to the principles outlined in the Summit of the
Americas. Governments, civil society, universities, and donor
institutions participate in the project, which seeks to provide
information exchange through conferences, workshops, the web and
technical assistance.

The US has provided \$3 million in grants and technical assistance to
leverage remittances creatively for community development. These
projects have resulted in a revolving loan fund for low income farmers,
as well as a nutrition program for mothers, children and the elderly in
Mexico; a training program for eco-tourism and micro enterprises in
Honduras; a credit union and a community development organization that
conducts small scale projects throughout Haiti.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.9479166666666666in" height="1.0in"}Under
the [**Partnership for
Prosperity**](http://www.state.gov/p/wha/rls/fs/8919.htm), U.S. and
Mexican governments and financial institutions are bringing more people
into the financial system and lowering the cost of sending money home.
The [**World Council of Credit Unions
(WOCCU)**](http://www.woccu.org/prod_serv/irnet/index.htm), in
partnership with the U.S. Government, is developing linkages between
credits unions and other financial institutions in the United States and
Mexico to increase access of the poor to low-cost remittance services
and other financial products.

The United States and Chile are planning a [Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises congress of The Americas](http://www.sba.gov/), to be held
in late 2004. The congress will create a hemispheric network of public
and private small business service providers to promote the growth of
free enterprise in the Americas by helping small businesses grow and
take advantage of international trade opportunities.

President Bush announced the [Inter-American E-Business Fellowship
Program](http://www.mac.doc.gov/ebusinessfellowship) at the Quebec
Summit, an initiative to train Latin American and Caribbean information
technology leaders on how to better incorporate e-business principles
into their companies.  Thirty-five fellows have completed the program in
the last two years, and U.S. host companies have contributed over 5,000
hours of training.

At the Quebec Summit, President Bush announced a \$20 million initiative
to establish regional [Centers of Excellence for Teacher
Training](http://www.caii.net/News/) to improve reading instruction at
early grade levels.  Centers in the Caribbean, Central America and the
Andes will begin training teachers in the summer of 2003.

The United States funds the [Child Labor Education Initiative
(EI)](http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/programs/iclp/technical_assistance_Education_Initiative.htm)
to improve the accessibility and quality of basic education for children
who have been involved in the worst forms of child labor or are at risk
of becoming involved.  EI projects are devoted exclusively to supporting
education as a powerful intervention for combating child labor.  In the
Americas, EI programs totaling \$7 million are in place in El Salvador,
Peru and Bolivia, with future programs planned for in Brazil and the
Dominican Republic.

The United States participated in the [Second Hemispheric Education
Ministerial](http://www.summit-americas.org/Quebec-Education/Education - declaration(eng).doc)
in 2001, where education ministers reviewed a first set of regional
education indicators produced as a result of the First Hemispheric
Education Ministerial. Ministers also discussed creation of an
Inter-American Education Committee in the OAS, which will serve as a
forum for member countries to discuss multilateral cooperation in
education within the context of the Summit of the Americas process. The
Committee will be inaugurated during the Third Education Ministerial
later this year.

[]{.mark}

The [Civitas Latin America](http://www.civiced.org/international.html)
project, funded under the U.S. Education for Democracy Act and
administered by a consortium led by the Center for Civic Education,
assists Latin American educators in implementing effective civic
education programs at home, and to create civic education programs for
students in the United States that help them better understand their own
nation through the history and experiences of Latin American nations.
Activities include delegation visits among U.S. and Latin American
organizations and institutions, development of curricular material, and
joint projects by U.S. and Latin American students.

![](media/image2.png){width="0.875in" height="0.875in"}

In June 2002, President Bush announced the \$500 million [International
Mother to Child HIV Prevention (PMTCT)
Initiative](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020619-1.html),
which targets 14 countries in Africa and the Caribbean. The initiative
includes programs in Haiti and Guyana, as well as a Caribbean regional
initiative administered by U.S. Government agencies and the Caribbean
Epidemiological Center (CAREC). Surveys of HIV/AIDS programs and local
capacity are being used to create action plans that will address HIV
prevention, care, and support in the most effective ways in each
country.

President Bush announced a five-year, \$15 billion [Emergency Plan for
AIDS
Relief](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030129-1.html)
in January 2003. The Plan, which will incorporate the PMTCT initiative,
includes nearly \$10 billion in new funds for HIV/AIDS prevention,
treatment, and care activities, targeting the same 14 countries in the
Caribbean and Africa.

The President's Emergency Plan also includes \$1 billion over five years
for the [Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
(GFATM)](http://www.globalfundatm.org/), raising the total U.S. pledge
to \$1.65 billion, 50% of the Fund's \$3.3 billion resources. The
GFATM's board, chaired by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy
G. Thompson, has already approved proposals for projects in twelve
Western Hemisphere countries.

![](media/image2.png){width="1.1145833333333333in"
height="1.0951388888888889in"}

The U.S. Government worked with the Pan-American Health Organization
(PAHO) to design the first [Health of the Americas Week (April 7-14,
2003)](http://www.paho.org/common/Display.asp?Lang=E&RecID=5264) to
focus attention on environmental issues that affect children's health.

> In 2002, the U.S. was elected to the Executive Committee of the [**OAS
> Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM)**](http://www.oas.org/). A
> ground-breaking CIM resolution passed in 2001 urges countries to
> implement prevention, protection and prosecution programs, exchange
> information and best practices, develop joint programs, and ratify
> international instruments related to trafficking in persons,
> especially women, adolescents and children. The U.S. Government
> releases annual reports on trafficking in persons and is funding a
> study to examine the status of trafficking in this hemisphere.
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="1.0in" height="1.0in"}

As a follow-up to the 2001 Summit, the OAS Permanent Council held a
first special session in November 2002 to promote [women's participation
in the political
process](http://www.upd.oas.org/lab/information/democratic_forum/11_25_2002_washington_dc_agenda_annotated.html).
The session attracted political and civil society figures from
throughout the hemisphere, with the goal of highlighting gender equality
as an important goal for democracies.

The United States funds numerous exchange and international visitor
programs to help women in the hemisphere further their contributions to
their own countries. Programs include leadership training, advocacy,
networking and campaigning skills, and workshops on violence awareness
and HIV/AIDS issues. The U.S. Government and the non-profit Public Forum
Institute sponsored the [Women Entrepreneurship in the 21^st^ Century
Summit](http://www.publicforuminstitute.org/activities/2002/wes/index.htm)
in March 2002, where President Bush announced key policy initiatives for
small business. Various regional forums were organized around the United
States in connection with the Summit.

Urging Americans to learn more about the problem of domestic violence
and to take action in protecting communities and families from its
effects, President Bush proclaimed October 2002 [National Domestic
Violence Awareness
Month](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/10/20011002-4.html).

> The U.S. Government holds regular consultation sessions with
> representatives from tribal governments and nations related to
> negotiations on the [Inter-American Declaration on the Rights of the
> Indigenous Peoples](http://www.cidh.oas.org/Indigenous.htm), endorsed
> by leaders at the Summit of the Americas. Through the drafting of this
> declaration the Summit has launched a unique international
> consultative process with the indigenous civil society groups, tribes
> and nations.

In September 2002, the U.S. Government hosted the [National Summit on
Emerging Tribal Economies](http://www.doi.gov/news/021015a.htm) to
promote economic development among native American tribes. The Summit
brought tribes, government and American business together to promote
reservations economies with the goal of creating 100,000 new jobs by
2004.

> Each year, the United States awards the [Heritage
> Fellowships](http://www.arts.gov/endownews/news02/Heritage2002.html),
> the country's highest honor in the folk and traditional arts. Four of
> thirteen awards 2002 related to traditional arts of the hemisphere.
> The Fellowships bring attention to the traditional arts and underscore
> the importance of promoting living cultural heritage. The Quebec
> Summit mandated the first [Inter-American Meeting of Ministers of
> Culture and Highest Appropriate
> Authorities](http://www.summit-americas.org/Quebec-Culture/culture-archives-eng.htm).
>
> ![](media/image2.png){width="1.0416666666666667in" height="1.125in"}

Held in July 2002, the meeting marked the beginning of a process to
increase cultural cooperation among OAS member states.

The U.S. Government worked with Arte Sem Fronteiras, a Sao Paulo-based
NGO dedicated to promoting cultural integration in the Americas, to
identify U.S. participants and resources for three symposia planned in
the hemisphere over the next year in preparation for the [2004 Global
Cultural Forum in
Barcelona](http://www.barcelona2004.org/Portades.nsf/public/BCN2004English).
The goal of the forums---on Culture and Peace (March 2003 in Austin,
Texas); Cultural Diversity (October 2003 in Montevideo, Uruguay); and
Sustainable Cities (December 2003 in Valpariso, Chile)---is to help
solidify links among countries and form common regional positions to
promote cultural diversity and expression.

# 

The U.S. Government has forged a new U.S./Mexico Cultural Connections
Initiative in partnership with Mexico's National Fund for Culture and
the Arts, aimed at helping build an arts infrastructure between the two
countries. In May 2002 the project partners held the first-ever
binational meeting of the six U.S. Regional Arts Organization Directors
with their Mexican counterparts, where participants planned a series of
joint projects.

The United States provides technical assistance to eradicate and prevent
exploitative or hazardous child labor. The U.S. Department of Labor
prepares [Findings on the Worst Forms of Child
Labor](http://www.dol.gov/ILAB/programs/iclp/main.htm), an annual report
presenting information on the nature and extent of child labor, as well
as the efforts being made by governments to eliminate the worst forms.
The report covers over 140 trade beneficiary countries and territories,
including 31 countries and five territories in the Americas.

The United States is participating in Summit-mandated efforts to
[prevent and remedy cases of international
abduction](http://travel.state.gov/abduct.html) of minors by one of
their parents. A new regional plan to address this issue will be
considered at the June 2003 meeting of the [Inter-American Children's
Institute](http://www.iin.oea.org/default_ingles.htm)**.**

The U.S. Government has provided \$3.8 million to help prevent and
eliminate commercial sexual exploitation of children in Central America,
Panama and the Dominican Republic. The three-year project will examine
child prostitution and identify strategies for action.

[^1]: The full texts of the Quebec City Declaration and Plan of Action,
    along with information on how civil society organizations can get
    involved in the Summit process, are available at
    [[www.summit-americas.org]{.underline}](http://www.summit-americas.org/).