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8.
We recognize the importance of instilling democratic awareness, culture, and values
in the present and future generations, and of the principles of the Inter-American Democratic Charter,
particularly those dealing with education as a key means for strengthening democratic institutions,
promoting the development of human potential, alleviating poverty, and fostering greater
understanding among peoples, and we urge that efforts be made to incorporate those principles into
our educational programs in accordance with the laws of each country.
9.
We are aware of the priority of the goals set by the Heads of State and Government if
we are to prevent future generations from expending resources on correcting the educational
shortcomings of today’s society.
10.
We believe we can accomplish the education goals set by the Summits of the
Americas by increasing our countries’ investment in education and by making efficient use of those
resources. We recommend that our governments explore financing strategies for advancing education
in our hemisphere that include: increased public funding for this sector and private-public
partnerships. In addition, several among us consider it worthwhile to explore the possibility of debtfor-education swaps. We recognize that such initiatives must be developed in coordination with our
ministries of finance and with respect to our countries’ legislation.
11.
We applaud the joint efforts of the IDB and the OAS in analyzing the problem of
education funding in the hemisphere and in identifying strategies to counteract its negative effects.
We will thus continue with national, subregional, and hemispheric dialogues to analyze the
challenges of funding education, involving finance ministers, education ministers, and members of
the business community who are committed to educational endeavors. Another priority is to analyze
and discuss the commitment that is required from our political organizations, legislatures, and mass
media with respect to education funding and its accomplishment and sustainability, and we urge the
hemispheric community to make efforts in that regard.
12.
We are convinced that better information is indispensable if we are to improve
education. Collectively, we have made a good start by analyzing and publishing data through the
indicators of the Summit project led by Chile and with particular support from UNESCO/OREALC
and other international agencies. We will advance with a second stage in this effort, improving and
extending the comparable indicators and focusing on strengthening the ability of our ministries to
gather information and make good use of it. Additionally, we assume the commitment, in each of our
nations, of focusing and intensifying efforts to assess the progress made by our students at all levels.
13.
During the United Nations Literacy Decade, which began this year under the aegis of
UNESCO, we will pursue literacy programs in the continent in order to attain the goals set forth in
the Dakar Commitment on Education for All.
14.
We are aware of the vital importance of quality basic education for children as a
mechanism for securing their physical development and wellbeing, the optimal development of their
intellectual capacities, and their creative imaginations and ethical sensitivities. Among the neediest
population groups, basic education must be supplemented with prenatal attention, nutrition, and
health care for children from birth onwards. We thus reaffirm our commitment of guaranteeing
equitable opportunities, including those segments of the population with special educational needs,