The Organization of American States (OAS), through its Executive Secretariat for Integral Development (SEDI) and the Department of Human Development, Education and Employment (DHDEE), reaffirmed its commitment to promoting democratic values in the region by hosting the Inter-American Exchange Seminar on Democratic Participation in Educational Settings held from May 19 to 21, 2025, in San José, Costa Rica.
Organized under the framework of the Program Democratic Principles Strengthened through Education and Policy Dialogue (DEMEP) — a flagship initiative of SEDI and the Inter-American Committee on Education (CIE) —the seminar aimed to bolster institutional and human resource capacities to nurture "skills for better citizenship" across education systems in the Americas.
The seminar was officially inaugurated by the Deputy Chief of Mission a.i. at the U.S. Embassy in Costa Rica, Luis Mendez, and the Director of DHDEE, Jesus Giacoman Zapata. In his opening remarks, Mendez highlighted the long-term impact of civic education:
"When we integrate democratic norms into civic life - including in classrooms - we help cultivate a culture of mutual responsibility for country and community. These lessons matter for students on a micro scale and for the long-term resilience of free societies on a macro scale."
Representing the Executive Secretary of Integral Development, Kim Osborne, Director Giacoman underscored the significance of the seminar within the broader cooperation framework:
"This seminar is a concrete expression of the OAS DEMEP program, responding to the complex realities of our region with one clear goal: equipping young people with the skills they need to be active and engaged citizens--skills such as informed deliberation, public engagement, appreciation of democratic dialogue, and a strong sense of responsibility for the common good."
Over the course of three days, the seminar brought together participants from more than 20 OAS member states fostering dialogue and technical cooperation on democratic participation through policy exchange, curriculum innovation, and teacher training strategies. The event served as a vital platform for promoting democracy from the classroom outward, emphasizing education as a cornerstone of civic engagement.
