GFDD and OAS Renew Agreement to Strengthen Democracy in the Americas

The Global Foundation for Democracy and Development (GFDD/Funglode) and the Organization of American States (OAS) have renewed their collaboration agreement. Just some of the issues the two organizations will continue to collaborate on are: strengthening democracy, human rights, and defending the rule of law in the region. Dr. Leonel Fernández, head of GFDD/Funglode and former president of the Dominican Republic, stressed that both will continue to work on
"everything related to the institutional strengthening for democratic governance, such as electoral systems, political parties, judicial systems, and electoral observation, as well as issues related to economic, social and cultural development." "More than a decade after signing this agreement, renewing it today means that our commitment to those values and principles that will make the entire region of Latin America and the Western Hemisphere a region where there
can be peaceful coexistence and democratic relationship between our peoples is even greater," added Fernández. Meanwhile, OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro said that the objective of the agreement is "to advance the path of bringing the OAS closer to civil society organizations that contribute to the strengthening of the region””s democracies." "At the OAS, we are committed to collaborate in the design of social, educational, democratic and
cultural initiatives, and to encourage the exchange of relevant information," with GFDD/Funglode, he added.

About GFDD Collaboration with the OAS

GFDD and its sister organization in the Dominican Republic, FUNGLODE, are civil society organizations affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS) and active supporters of the organization””s objectives, of the Inter-American System and the Summit of the Americas program. As
members of this community of the civil society, GFDD and FUNGLODE are always part of the annual OAS General Assembly and the Summit of the Americas process.

In addition, joint specific programs are regularly developed and implemented with different departments and divisions of the OAS in the following fields: democracy, regional integration, trade, environment, education, culture, drug abuse prevention, as well as internships and professional training
opportunities.