The Organization of American States celebrated it's 70th anniversary today at the Radisson. Now, this is the first time their offices have celebrated such an event but OAS Representative Starret Greene says it is a significant milestone to have been operating throughout the world all these years. We dropped by the celebration and Greene told us about the work they have done in Belize. Foreign Affairs CEO Patrick Andrews also underscored the role of the OAS in the Belize Guatemala dispute.
Starret Greene - OAS Representative
"This is special, after 70 years working the hemisphere; it was thought that each member state through the OAS office should do something in commemoration of the birthday of the OAS. So this special program today which is a joint collaboration between my office which is the OAS office in Belize City and the OAS Adjacency Zone office is designed to let the people of Belize know that we are 70 years old and expect to go 70 times 7."
Courtney Weatherburne
"Just briefly tell us for those who don't know the role of the OAS office and just some of the great accomplishments over these 70 years."
Starret Greene
"Absolutely, well Belize is a member of the OAS since 1991 so that makes about 27 years as a member. What we have done, some of our great accomplishments are our scholarships that we have given to strengthen the human development of this country and that is paramount and that is critical. Also we have been working in the area of drugs to ensure we reduce the demand and for individuals who are caught in the cycle of addiction we have introduced programs to ensure that this is being reduced. And we are working in the social development area as explained by CEO Alpuche we have been helping to build the Boost program and a wraparound empowerment program and we are glad to be working with that ministry."
Patrick Andrews - CEO, Foreign Affairs
"The OAS has been an important part of our development and really access to our voice in the region. Myself, I was in Washington as the Ambassador of Belize to the US and permanent representative so I know how important it is for us in the Belize Guatemala dispute. It has been crucial to have the OAS assisting us through the various stages even as we talk about the role that we play in the adjacency zone and as we move toward the referendum we are going to need the OAS to continue partnering with us."
There were a number of speakers at the event and it ended with a special lunch.
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