The Organization of American States (OAS) says the Agency for International Cooperation of Chile will contribute US$250,000 in scholarships for students of the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) through the OAS.
The OAS said the agreement was signed at its headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Friday between the Executive Director of the Agency for International Cooperation of Chile, Juan Pablo Lira, and OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro.
Lira said education is “a key factor” in helping Caribbean countries to address the challenges of climate change.
“The government of Chile is very happy to be able to cooperate with the countries of the Caribbean and the OAS, because we know perfectly well how important it is to have scholarships,” he said, recalling the various natural disasters that affected the region in recent months.
Luis Almagro welcomed the contribution of the Chilean government and highlighted the role played by the OAS Scholarship Program in the education of young people in the region.
“Our unity and strength lie in the union of our member countries and in their capacity to work together, as well as in the principles and values that we share,” he said. “That is why we celebrate the agreement with Chile and the countries of CARICOM, because it represents another step toward regional solidarity and cooperation.”
The OAS said the contribution will be administered by its Capital Fund for the OAS Scholarships and Training Program to fund studies in the area of disaster prevention.
Fourteen of the 35 member-countries of the OAS are also members of CARICOM.
