Secretariat for External Relations

09-09-2010

Mission

The mission of the Secretariat for External Relations (SER) is to disseminate the role of the Organization as the institution for promoting democratic governance, sustainable development, multidimensional security, and respect for human rights in the Hemisphere; and to contribute to the strengthening of the Organization’s institutional image.

In keeping with its objectives, the SER performs functions aimed at developing and implementing communication strategies and strengthening the image of the Organization; develop and disseminate a uniform message based on the Organization’s priorities; strengthening ties with international and hemispheric agencies and institutions to coordinate policy; foster cooperation with the host country, as well as with observer countries and multilateral organizations; broadening and disseminating information on the cultural heritage of the Americas; coordinating fundraising for programs and projects with donors and partners; and promoting the participation of civil society in matters related to OAS priorities.

Organizational Structure

SECRETARIAT FOR EXTERNAL RELATIONS

DEPARTMENT OFSTRATEGIC

COMMUNICATIONSAND IMAGE

DEPARTMENT OFINTERNATIONAL

AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENTOF CULTURAL

AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENTOF

PRESS

What do we do?

Build support for the Organization by enhancing awareness, generating a positive perception, promoting engagement of key actors and mobilizing resources for the implementation of the mandates and core programs of the Organization

Our plan

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1

4

3

Mobilize Resources

Engage key Actors

Generate a Positive Perception

Enhance Awareness

4

2

1

3

Enhance Awareness

• Overall low visibility• Relatively unknown to broader

audiences• Intense competition for attention

from Actors• Complex Role of a multilateral • Limited Resources for External

Relations

ALLIGNED MESSAGE• First Institutional Image Strategy in

60 years• Re-launched the website• First annual report on a thematic

basis• Improved promotional materials• Regular lectures, presentations and

Policy Roundtables• Cultural exhibitions focused on OAS

mandates and programs • Better Press outreach• Newsletter & revamp of Americas

Magazine• Creation of OAS Caucus/Regular

contact/US Congressional Outreach

Challenges

Actions TakenINCREASE AWARENESS

1

Barack Obama, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the OASBy Michael Shifter

Enhance Awareness - Plan

Promote OAS values through Americas Magazine/Museum/Centennial

Create deeper understanding – recognition of OAS initiatives and priorities - inside and outside the Organization/ Build greater media presence for OAS - traditional and new media

Coordinate support of hemisphere’s civil society / Take advantageof existing audience of Lectures and OAS Policy Roundtables

Outreach to Think Tanks, Foundations and the Private Sector

Bring the OAS to major cities through exhibit and speakersINCREASE AWARENESS

1

Outreach to other levels of government and ministries; and use of network of national

offices

Generating a Positive Perception

Challenges

Actions Taken

IMPROVE PERCEPTION

• OAS capacity to show results

• OAS is sometimes defined by its detractors

• Move OAS from a defensive position to a proactive platform that creates a better understanding and appreciation of the good work OAS does behind the scenes.

• More focused message on five pillars

• Greater transparency in engaging important

audiences

• Greater transparency in administrative processes

• Focus distribution of OAS reports

• Design and show programs with key Actors

• Clear and concise annual reports

• New key OAS publications (Electoral Handbook, JSWG Documents, Centennial issue of Americas Magazine)

• Think tank and Latino community outreach

2

Promoting DemocracyDefending Human RightsEnsuring a Multidimensional Approach to SecurityFostering Integral DevelopmentSupport Inter-American Legal Cooperation

Generating a Positive Perception - Plan

Foster collaboration and coordination among all OAS departments to have a consistent external message –

Promote development results through a programmatic approach

Support departments in leveraging their initiatives and good work/ Building greater media presence

for expert and projects/New institutional engagement with Think Tanks

IMPROVE PERCEPTION

2

Build a sustained, integrated campaign that leverages OAS’ strengths, convening power and program expertise —

With support of PEC and Secretariats, identify and proactively communicate success stories

Engage Key Actors

ENGAGE STEAKHOLDERS

Challenges

Actions Taken

•Too many single activities not result oriented

•Lack of programmatic focus

•Multiple voices

•No concise map of existing and new actors

•Consolidating arrangements with key Actors

•Create EOM Fund

•MOU with Canada, Spain, EU and with other key donor agencies

•OAS Caucus created in 2009 and continuous follow up

•OAS coordination with JSWG, Tripartite Committee other institutional partners

3

BROOKINGS

U.S Chamber of Commerce

PRIVATE SECTORPRIVATE SECTORPARTNERSHIPS THROUGHPARTNERSHIPS THROUGH

WASHINGTON, April 2009- The Secretary General of the Organization of American States, José Miguel Insulza, met today with US Congressman Gregory Meeks (D-NY) to discuss the launching of

the Organization of American States Congressional Caucus at the US Congress.

Engage Key Actors - Plan

Leverage our convening power to organize activities to promote OAS principles

Building a campaign around the priorities of the organizations as set by the Member States

Strong and high-level Private Sector engagement/

In-depth stakeholder mapping exercise (including advocates, allies, critics and neutrals)ENGAGE

Actors

3

Our General Constituencies

Private SectorIndividuals

Philanthropic FoundationsOther Institutions that Provide Development Assistance

Member States & AgenciesPermanent Observers & Agencies

JSWG

Civil Society Media

Think Tanks/AcademiaCultural Organizations

Mobilize Resources

MOBILIZE RESOURCES

Challenges

Actions Taken

•Worldwide financial crisis

•Shift in global development priorities

•Decentralized cooperation

•Competition for resources

• New standards for measuring results

• Massive campaign for Haiti in partnership with PADF

• Raise 300K for Centennial Campaign from Private Sector

• H2L2 – Base assessment study ready for building needs and

opportunities

• Increased Board Members of Affiliates (Museum and Trust) (by number and participation)

• OAS Online donations

• Advocacy with Member States to increase quotas and link to inflation

• New MOUs in the works

• Cooperanet – Regional Donor Coordination

• South-South and triangular Coperation

4

Washington D.C - PADF, the natural disaster relief arm of the Organization of American States, has more than 150 people working Haiti on economic development,

disaster mitigation and protecting human rights.

Washington D.C – Chevron, NTN24 and AES support the

OAS Centennial Campaign with 225K

Washington D.C -January 21, 2010 OAS HOSTS FUNDRAISER EVENT FOR HAITI

Mobilize Resources - Plan

Support the General Secretariats’ efforts to secure funding for Member States priorities and initiatives

Stronger private sector and foundations involvement/Friends of OAS

Local offices to develop specific Resource Mobilization Strategy

Development of resource Mobilization including Capital CampaignMOBILIZE

RESOURCES

4

Develop mechanisms to ensure proper coordination of OAS donors including results- based reporting

Resources we count on to achieve this

SECRETARIAT SECRETARIAT FOR FOR

EXTERNAL RELATIONSEXTERNAL RELATIONS

PRESS DEPARTMENT

DEPARTMENT OFSTRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS

AND INSTITUTIONAL IMAGE

DEPARTMENT OFINTERNATIONAL

AFFAIRS

DEPARTMENT OFCULTURAL AFFAIRS

Budget 2010-2011

Budget 2010-2011

Posts

Budget 2010-20112011 Projected Sources of Financing by Fund (All Funds)