What Is The Summit of The Americas?

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Every 3-4 years, the democratically elected leaders of the Western Hemisphere gather to discuss the region's most pressing issues. Much may have changed since the U.S. hosted the 1st Summit in 1994, but one thing remains the same: the need for neighbors to work together.

To complete this How-To you will need:

A concern for the future of the Western Hemisphere

Step 1: Who's going?

President Obama and his regional counterparts — namely the heads of state and government from all 34 democratic countries in North, Central, and South America and the Caribbean — will participate as well as delegations from the Organization of American States and observer groups from a number of inter-American organizations.

Step 2: When is it happening?

The Fifth Summit of the Americas will be held from April 17-19, 2009. The past four Summits were held in 1994, 1998, 2001, and 2005.

Step 3: Where is it happening?

The island republic of Trinidad and Tobago will host this year's Summit — the first Caribbean nation to do so.

Step 4: What exactly is it?

The goal of every Summit is to find solutions to common concerns and better the lives of citizens throughout the Americas. This year's agenda will focus on three critical issues: human prosperity, energy security, and environmental sustainability. Participants will also address economic recovery and poverty reduction in the face of the current global economic crisis, and climate change.

Step 5: How does it work?

Active participants will present concerns and discuss issues in plenary sessions. On the third day, the 34 leaders will attend a retreat. At the conclusion of the Summit, leaders will sign a Declaration of Commitment that synthesizes the gathering's key resolutions.

Step 6: Why have the Summit of the Americas?

The Summit allows the democratic countries of the Western Hemisphere to better understand each other's problems and positions, but more importantly, it's a way for neighbor to help neighbor in the spirit of equality, equity, and mutual responsibility. Remember that the Summit participants attend on your behalf — the citizens who elected them. Make sure your voice is heard by visiting townhall.america.gov to offer comments, ask questions, and propose suggestions.

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• hothowtos
• Summit
• americas
• 2009
• Trinidad
• overview
• gathering
• politics
• political
• meetings
• central

[AndrewXAnarchy]

And how is this a how-to. . .?

[Samarooni]

this is not a how question

[alkolaqi83]

great job

[sharingideas]

Human prosperity & poverty reduction? You must be joking! Citizens of Trinidad & Tobago are paying highly for this Summit. The Manning government has hung its hat where it could't reach & plundered the country's coffers, and now the citizens are suffering with high taxes, police harassment, government corruption, social injustices, and discrimination. When the Indian Prime Minister was in government the country was running better. Now Manning wants to get rid of Panday for good. Need a change!

[Pighood]

Exactly....it's all about HIM.

[Albyiscool]

ok, I'm glad you corrected your generalization. I wish this video presented an accurate picture of cooperation that would be happening at the conference, but I'm seeing a lot of politics.

[Sulatrommi]

well by saying uncomfortable i meant incompetent. the point i wanted to make in the first place, though, was not to insult americans (although i obviously did...) but to critizise the refusal of such a video as it is posted here. instead of just dismissing it, people should see the positive message of such a video. it shows that countries are willing to work together against violence and all that crap. obama made the first step for this by offering his cooperation to cuba, which is a good thing.

[Albyiscool]

It may depend on whom you were asking in the US. I can't say why they would be uncomfortable with it, whether they lacked knowledge in international affairs or simply wanted to avoid any offense.

[Sulatrommi]

u are right, i generalized a lot in my comment, there are exceptions. but the impression that i got when i was in america (northwest indiana, close to chicago) was, that hardly anyone was comfortable with dealing with political issues of international matter. if i compare that with the students in my home country i must say, that most of them are more competent in these topics. and i think that it is quite important to be interested in politics to avoid future conflicts and people like g.w.bush

[Albyiscool]

So not only are you assuming that I am ignorant, but that I have a special brand of "American ignorance" despite the fact that we are one of the best educated countries in the world.

You assume we don't know what's happening in Mexico even though it is all over the news, you assume we can't find South America on a map? Please, get over those stupid stereotypes.