One of the most progressive dimensions of the Organization's future work deriving from its review and refocus is its determination to work with the wider civil society in the promotion of the interests of the region. As I mentioned earlier, a consensual awareness and consciousness emerged from all levels of hemispheric review and policy formulation that regional inclusion must be a basic prescription of the new order. The Organization has therefore decided to incorporate in its work profile, the very important and necessary representation of wider society, including non-governmental organizations, educational institutions and private industry in its deliberations. The details of this incorporation are still being worked out. This clearly is overdue.
Organizations are creations of member states.
Member states comprise all corporate citizens. Public policy however formulated can only be successfully advanced and sustained by involvement of private industry and the wider society. Regional and international organizations cannot pursue effectively public policies that are inimical with the interests of private industry. The legitimacy and credibility of regional and international organizations can only derive therefore from an engagement at the policy and implementation levels of the public and private sectors. This is not a revealed enlightenment but it is important that it is now clearly recognized.