Margie Zapata, Maria Nieto, Mary Herman, Brent Winslow, Victor Silva, Rodrigo

UNASUR

UNASUR HISTORY Union of South American Nations International organization created in 2008- newest

regional integration project Combination of MERCOSUR and Andean

Community of Nations Motive is regional integration in energy, education,

health, environment, infrastructure, security and democracy

UNASUR MEMBERS Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Chile,

Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Panama and Mexico are observers Official language: English, Spanish, Portuguese,

Dutch

UNASUR

In its short history UNASUR has attained a good amount of legitimacy

It helped with:Colombia and Venezuela diplomatic crisisReducing crime Limiting defense expenditures Integrating energy and financial systemsHandling constitutional crisis in Ecuador and

Paraguay

STRUCTURE OF UNASUR

Composed of four organs:

1) The Council of Heads of State and Government

2) The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs

3) The Council of Delegates

4) The General Secretariat

The Council of Heads of State and Government Supreme organ of UNASUR designed to establish the political links,

action plans, and programs needed for South American integration

Annual meetingOthers may be requested to the president

pro-tempore

The Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs

composed of foreign ministers from UNASUR member countries

responsible for implementing decisions made by the Council of Heads of State

coordinate positions on central themes of South American integration

Biannual meetings

The Council of Delegates

implements and adopts the resolutions reached by the other two councils

responsible for promoting public dialogue to help maximize citizen participation in the process of South American integration.

Meets every two months

The General Secretariat executes the mandates submitted by the

other organs Assist the Council of Heads of State and

Government, the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, the Council of Delegates and the Pro Tempore Presidency, in the performance of their duties.

The Secretary General shall be appointed by the Council of Heads of State and Government at the proposal of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, for a period of two years, renewable once.

Sector Councils

Sector Councils Council on Citizen Security, Justice,

Coordination of Action against Transnational Organized Crime

Council of Science, Technology, and Innovation

Council of Culture Council of Education Electoral Council of UNASUR Council on Economy and Finance.

Sector Councils

Council for the Global Drug Problem Council of Infrastructure and Planning Council of Social Development Council of Health Council of Defense Council of Energy

Policy

“…regional integration in energy, education, health, environment, infrastructure, security and democracy.”

“Their efforts are aimed to deepen the bond between South American nations..”

EU like system

Economics General Goals:

Eradicate poverty and overcome inequalityFinancial IntegrationExchange of information, training and

experience Elimination of tariffs Bank of the South

Similar to World Bank Common Currency

Infrastructure “Infrastructure and the related services, by their

very nature, act as vehicles for territorial, economic and social cohesion…”

Transportation keyRoadsRailwaysInstitutional reform

EX. Interoceanic Highway

Defense

General goals:Zone of peace and contributor of world peaceA South American identity on defenseRegional cooperation on defense

Not like NATOCooperative; Multilateral military cooperationNo standing military

EX. UnasurHaiti

UNASUR VS OAS

OAS

Organization of American States Consists of every country in North,

South and Central America Founded in 1948 Based in Washington DC Four pillars are– Democracy, human

rights, security and development

Differences with OAS

Share many of the same objectives, primarily promoting democracy

Main difference is approach to defense UNASUR successfully intervened in

Bolivia during the 2008 Bolivian crisis, on the other hand OAS opted to stay away from Bolivia

Relationship with OAS

Since its development UNASUR has taken significant power away from OAS

South Americans see OAS usefully since it has members that are not part of UNASUR

They do see UNASUR as a more effective option for South America itself

Relationship (Cont.)

Worked together during the 2008 Andean Crisis when Colombia attacked FARC group on Ecuadorian soil

UNASUR often undermines OAS mainly because most South American leaders see UNASUR as a better option

Relationship (Cont.)

Brazilian Foreign Affairs Minister, Celso Amorim said, “ I believe that for the exercise of good

offices among South American countries UNASUR or Merocusor, depending on which case, can be more effective”

Synopsis

UNASUR and OAS do not have a bad relationship, but since its development UNASUR has taken a great deal of power from OAS in regards to South American foreign relations and most South American leaders see UNASUR as a more effective option

Benefits of councils

ISAGS - South American Institute of Government in Health: Provides higher quality training to

Healthcare providers. Closer monitoring of possible health

risks in order to avoid future diseases Possibility of a Universal health care

system

Benefits of councils

South American Council for the World drug problem: Will create programs for addicts to

reduce or completely stop drug use. Negative and positive incentives are set

in place to encourage success. Change the world’s opinion on South

America.

Benefits of councils

Defense Council of South America: Allows for countries to seek diplomatic

resolution to issues instead of violence and International intervention.

Promote South America as a place for peace.

Exchange of information between countries for better chance at maintaining peace.

Discussion

Will Unasur and OAS continue to work together on various issues or will they come into conflict with each other on many issues?

Will Unasur help and promote democracy in Latin America?

Will Unasur have the success that the EU has had?

Works Cited www.unasursg.org http://www.eclac.org/publicaciones/xml/1/46131/2012-19-UNASUR-

Infrastructure.pdf http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_of_South_American_Nations http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interoceanic_Highway http://laht.com/article.asp?CategoryId=12394&ArticleId=329400 http://www.as-coa.org/articles/explainer-what-unasur hereandnow.wbur.org www.aracari.com sperglord.wordpress.com