OAS celebrates 100 years

This year, the Organization of American States (OAS), the world's oldest regional organization, is marking the centennial of its emblematic building - the House of the Americas - the headquarters of the OAS in Washington, DC.

On April 26, 1910, leaders of the nations of the Americas came together to dedicate this building, made possible by the support of the Member States of what was then known as the Pan-American Union, the United States Congress and a gift from the philantropist, Andrew Carnegie. On that day, as a symbol of good faith and solidarity, President William Howard Taft of the United States of America planted a "Peace Tree" in the centre of the House of the Americas. On Thursday, April 29, OAS Secretary General Jose Miguel Insulza will plant another "Peace Tree", representing the efforts of the Organization and its Member States to build the strongest foundations to confront the challenges of the future and there will be a Centennial Reception at the House of the Americas.

The House of the Americas stands as the embodiment of the quest for peace and prosperity in the Western Hemisphere and the mission of the OAS is to secure a better existence for the citizens of our region by promoting democracy, human rights, security and development for all the peoples of the Americas.As part of the hemisphere-wide celebration of the centennial of the House of the Americas, persons are invited to visit the centennial website at www.oas.org

The following events throughout the year also form part of the Centennial Celebration:

1. April 29th, 2010

Peace Tree Planting

Centennial Reception


2. June 21st, 2010

Caribbean American Heritage Month and OAS Centennial (Partnership with Center for Caribbean Studies)

“A Peaceable Future”

Roundtable on Youth at Risk and Prevention of Violence in the Caribbean


3. July 6th 2010

OAS and the Biennial of the Americas –Denver, CO

The Americas Roundtable www.biennialoftheamericas.org


4. November 2010

From the Barrio to the Concert Hall

Concert with Youth Haitian Orchestra in DC to celebrate the Centennial


5. December 2010

Centennial Caribbean Exhibition “About Change”

The exhibit is being carried out in conjunction with a larger World Bank art programme exhibition entitled “About Change” which encompasses all of Latin America and the Caribbean.




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CREDITS:

- Info and photo courtesy Dr. Riyad Insanally of the OAS Office in Trinidad and Tobago