The mandates of the Inter-American Development Bank coincide with the priorities adopted by the Heads of State and Government at the Summits of the Americas. The activities of the IDB -defined by the mandates of the Eighth Capital Replenishment- contribute to the objectives and agreements endorsed by the Heads of State and Government.

In the context of the Summit of the Americas in Quebec, Canada, April 2001, the Bank has identified a number of strategic programs, in which its participation may be particularly relevant, and in which there can be an important regional contribution. These programs are described in the document Summit of the Americas: Strategic Programs Agenda of the IDB, and complement the operations and activities that the IDB traditionally undertakes. The following is a summary of the strategic programs in the area of equity and human development.

Among the many regional problems with deep historical roots that are still pending resolution, perhaps the most acute is the problem of poverty, which to a great extent has its origin in the unequal distribution of assets (such as land and education). In several countries of the region, the proportion of the population that lives under the poverty line has begun to decrease, in recent years. However, the process of poverty reduction is still fragile and insufficient.

The goal of confronting poverty will continue to be the central theme of our actions, as part of an ambitious social development agenda, including efforts to promote a greater equality in the access to opportunities. Sustained efforts are required on behalf of people excluded from economic and social progress - in particular marginalized women, senior citizens, the handicapped, and racial and ethnic minorities.

In the area of development of human potential, increasing emphasis has been placed on the importance of investments in education, health and nutrition. In particular, great emphasis is placed on the universalization, quality and appropriateness of education, and on programs for youth. Likewise, priority has been given to many health initiatives, including the prevention and treatment of diseases and pandemics such as AIDS.

Support has also been given to actions in other aspects of well-being, such as housing, community services, employment, labor training, and the promotion of cultural and recreational activities.

The Bank proposes to support the following programs to enhance social inclusion and equity in line with the goals enunciated by the summit:

Program for Comprehensive Poverty Reduction Strategies. This program will support the development of comprehensive national strategies for poverty reduction; the institutionalization of comprehensive systems for social protection; and the improvement of information on poverty, to enable the monitoring of social conditions, evaluate social programs, and provide feedback on policies.

Inter-American Teacher Training Program. This program will include the design, production, and execution of a regional program for distance training of teachers, especially at the secondary level. The proposed program would develop modules for distance training. It would make intensive use of the possibilities created by information and communication technologies (among other media). It will include programs in the sciences, mathematics and languages, and literacy techniques for primary school teachers. The program would work closely with the countries to determine the contents, define the mechanisms for certification, and ensure the optimal use of training materials. The program will be based on best practices in this field, and will also embrace a decisive effort to improve educational quality at the secondary level, thus advancing a strategic link in the educational system of the region.

HIV/AIDS Program. This program will contribute to the struggle against HIV/AIDS, through collaboration with PAHO/WHO, UNAIDS, the World Bank and other international agencies as well as through financial and technical assistance for prevention activities. Focal areas will be: access to medicine; preventive measures, with emphasis on the reduction of mother-child transmission; the human rights and needs of the people living with HIV/AIDS; and the participation of the private sector in the HIV/AIDS agenda.

Dignified, Active, Productive and Healthy Aging Program. This program will carry out an agenda that includes technical assistance for the development of policies, programs and projects that contribute to the active, productive and healthy aging; the promotion of awareness and of a new positive culture of aging; the training of different sectors; and a dialogue with civil society organizations.

Program for Integrated Community-Based Projects for Excluded Groups. This program will allow the financing of new integrated projects for community development, focused on marginalized communities (e.g., indigenous and Afro-Latin communities). Emphasis would be placed on the use of initial diagnosis and evaluations, and on the use of consultation and participation methodologies which ensure the proper representation of the population as well as their ownership of the projects. The projects would have a decentralized execution and would be based on social participation.

Voluntary Youth Service in the Americas Program. This initiative will enable the youth of the continent to participate in the development of their communities through social service. The proposed program will support the development of a network of training and technical assistance; actions to foster volunteer skills in young people and teachers; learning from and multiplying the most successful experiences in the region; and the creation of youth community service organizations.

Program to Train and Incorporate Youth into the Entrepreneurial Sector. This program will promote the technical and entrepreneurial skills of young adults. It would motivate the entrepreneurial spirit that is necessary to start successful small businesses, for example, in the field of information technology. It will also promote job placement of youth through internships and mentorships. Other youth would be trainers, which would develop their skills and offer new services. Within this framework, the Multilateral Investment Fund (MIF) of the IDB will have a dynamic and sustainable association with the International Foundation for Youth as well as with the national public and private sectors, in order to contribute to the creation of employment opportunities for youth.

Last updated: 01/16/07