The Organization of American States (OAS), through the Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE) of the Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI), held the Inter-American Exchange Seminar on Democratic Participation in Educational Settings: A Focus on Curricular Processes on November 12 and 13, 2025, in Lima, Peru.
The seminar, organized under the Program Democratic Principles Strengthened through Education and Policy Dialogue (DEMEP), brought together officials the ministries of education and representatives from 21 countries to exchange experiences, methodologies, and tools aimed at strengthening the monitoring and evaluation of curricular processes related to democratic participation.
The event was inaugurated by Jesús Giacoman Zapata, Director of DHDEE, who emphasized the transformative role of education in nurturing democratic values:
"Education for democratic participation is not just a curriculum component: it is a life experience. Teaching for democracy means teaching how to live together, to listen, to discern, and to act responsibly. It means educating citizens capable of thinking critically, participating in an informed way, and committed to justice and solidarity."
During the seminar, Cecilia Martins, Education specialist at DHDEE, presented the main lessons learned from a previous dialogue in Costa Rica. Participants there highlighted the importance of strengthening the link between education and democracy, promoting stakeholder engagement in curricular design, revaluing the teaching profession, and advancing articulated training. They called for extending these exchanges beyond the local level to foster hemispheric collaboration.
The seminar in Lima represents another milestone in that process consolidating a hemispheric technical collaboration network focused on monitoring and evaluating curricular processes to enhance responsible citizenship and democratic participation in educational settings.
Under the leadership of the Department of Human Development, Education and Employment, the OAS reaffirms its commitment to promoting quality education that equips the citizens of the Americas to actively participate in democratic life.
This activity was made possible thanks to the generous support of the Permanent Mission of the United States to the OAS.
Reference: E-074/25
