The ETEA Foundation of Loyola University, in association with the European Union (EU) and the Central American Integration System (SICA), held a high-level seminar to present valuable reflections on what would be the determinants of development within the framework of the regional integration process and the Association Agreement with the EU.
The event was held in virtual format on Thursday, April 8, 2021. At the opening, Pedro Caldentey, Director of the Department of Economics at Loyola University, explained that the reflection report It presents the conclusions of four webinars previously held, the objective of which was to bring the terms of the debate on the future of the region between governments and the bodies and institutions of SICA closer to the terms of the debate taking place within the institution.
Parallel, Elaine White, diplomat and academic of Costa Rica, clarified that the seminar is taking place at a unique time for dialogue on the future of Central America. “We are in a particularly complex environment marked by phenomena of global impact such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the effects of the economic crisis and global governance, the change of cycle associated with the fourth industrial revolution and the impact of climate change.”
In this context, the academic noted: “Central America faces a double paradox. On the one hand, global events have a profound impact on the region. On the other hand, The countries are policytakers and non-policymakers of global development and this lack of autonomy leaves the region with few options for assertive public policies, therefore, it must seek alliances with friendly countries and international organizations that can help the region defend its specific interests and make public policy decisions for its future development."
Window of opportunity
He explained some dominant trends in the changing global scenario that present themselves as a window of opportunity for the region:
- The paradigm of globalization is transformed and has encouraged a model of greater industrial and national autonomy that seeks to reverse or balance the hyper-disaggregation of production processes and long-distance value chains, with processes of relocation of some links in global value chains.
- Development policies will be subject to a profound review, within the framework of a better post-pandemic reconstruction based on social equity and environmental sustainability. This scenario is conducive to a review of its objectives and the instruments associated with it.
- The global panorama is in a process of reordering geopolitical balances In this context, the external relations of the countries in the region depend on how the United States, the European Union, China and Mexico position themselves in this balance. Relations with South America, the Caribbean and Southeast Asia will also depend on them. This package of external relations is key to Central America's strategies for positioning itself in its environment.
- Global multilateralism is under pressure of its reform to respond to the reality of the geopolitical changes of the last decades and also to respond to the demands of the crisis. This pressure will have an impact on the discussion on the role and functioning of multilateral organizations.
- In this context, a new stage for regionalism seems to be opening up., not only as a privileged space for international cooperation but because for small economies, changes towards the regionalization of global economic dynamics or the push towards protectionism can only be overcome in expanded regional spaces that allow them to access greater economies of scale.
Axes for a new development
To complete the academic presentation, Pedro Caldentey He provided a description of the “axes for a new approach to development” in Central America around three challenges: democracia, the equity and the development. He stressed that democracy is subject to risks that seemed to have been overcome. Inequality persists as a conditional feature of the region's future. Development models and strategies have not yet overcome their exclusive patterns. Therefore, Caldentey said that promoting inclusive development is a priority and launching a process of dialogue around these axes is the region's main task. To this end, he stressed regional integration as an ideal framework for articulating the proposals that arise from the dialogue process.
From this, the Secretary General of SICA, Vinicio Cerezo, invited academics to think about the integration process to provide solutions to urgent challenges such as climate change and social gaps. And he called for taking advantage of Central America's strategic relationship with the EU. "The answers to the deep questions of our development are in science, research and knowledge management," he emphasized.
This need for strategic coordination in the field of innovation and education between both regions was shared by Adrian Bonilla, International Foundation European Union, Latin America and the Caribbean, who expressed his opinion through a video.
Meanwhile, Jossette Altmann, Secretary General of FLACSO, stressed the need for a shared vision. “Cooperation creates the confidence for Central America to build the necessary institutions within integration.”
In this regard, Andreu Bassols, EU Ambassador to El Salvador and to SICA, stressed that there will be no deeper Central American integration if there is no political will, greater common physical and legal infrastructures and an inclusive and digital environmental recovery.
Finally, Olinda Salguero, Chief of Staff of SICA, highlighted the importance of citizen construction, collective intelligence and citizen participation in a young region. “60% of the population is under 35 years old,” he explained. In this sense, he invited to build new narratives and spaces of thought in other university centers or organizations to broaden the understanding, appreciation and strengthening of a block that will celebrate 30 years since its creation.
Approximately 150 academics participated in the Seminar, a significant expression of the interest in advancing the integration process that began sixty years ago in Central America.
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