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Chile to host International IDEA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

April 13, 2015

April 13, 2015 | STOCKHOLM - As an important member state of International IDEA since its establishment in 1995, Chile has been actively engaged in initiatives to support democracy in Latin America and worldwide. This commitment is now further reaffirmed by Chile’s decision to host International IDEA’s Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.

International IDEA’s Secretary-General, Mr. Yves Leterme, is in Santiago from 13-14 April 2015 to sign the host country agreement with Foreign Minister Heraldo Muñoz. Thereafter, he is meeting with President Michelle Bachelet to discuss continued collaboration between International IDEA and Chile.

International IDEA has provided advice in the recent state of democracy assessment of Chile, as well as shared its knowledge resources on constitutional reform, political financing and absentee voting. Also, Mr. Daniel Zovatto, International IDEA’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, was appointed as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council against conflicts of interest, influence peddling and corruption in Chile.

Mr. Yves Leterme, former Prime Minister of Belgium, will also meet with former President Sebastián Piñera and former President Ricardo Lagos. International IDEA has spearheaded the publication of a book, entitled ´Democratic Transitions: Conversations with World leaders´. The book features a chapter on Chile’s experience with democratic transition and political reform. It includes exclusive interviews with President Patricio Aylwin, (President of Chile 1990-1994) and President Ricardo Lagos (President of Chile 2000-2006), where the former presidents share their insights and personal experiences. The book is set to be released in September 2015.

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