The Organisation of Southern Cooperation (OSC), under its flagship programme, the Congress of the Greater South (ConGreS), is mandated to convene delegates from throughout the Greater South and from across sectors in a series of regional consultations that culminate with a Summit of the Greater South, to collectively contribute to a new and inclusive future for Humanity through the definition of a Third Way of Development, and the articulation of a collective roadmap and common plan of action for its realisation. Through these regional consultations, the OSC aims to give the Global South the collective agency to influence change and leave a legacy for future generations. It also seeks to redefine the role of the Global South on the international stage, analyze systemic changes, promote higher education, foster transdisciplinary research dialogues, democratize knowledge, and propose solutions for our shared global challenges.
The ConGreS consists of key consultations from various regions of the Greater South. The Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) regional consultation was held in Panama City on August 8-9, 2024. Co-hosted by the Union of Latin American and Caribbean Universities (UDUALC), and held at the University of Panama, the LAC consultation went successful. At the end of the two-day session, the more than 50 distinguished delegates from 25 countries from across the region, comprising of esteemed academics, scientists, civil society leaders, artists, writers, and members of indigenous and Afro-descendant communities has forged productive and encouraging discussions, along with rich exchange of ideas and perspectives seeking to lay the groundwork for a new development path underpinned by inclusivity, equity, and sustainability. The constructive consultations were organized under four major thematic areas of Knowledge, Economy, Technology, and Socio-Cultural Dimensions. This consultation marked the second collective step toward constructing a third, alternative, and inclusive way of development – from the South, for Humanity, one that is anchored by the principles of multilateralism, solidarity, and self-determination.
Looking ahead to a future shaped by a new model of development for humanity, the LAC consultations not only produced the expected documents of recommendations on the designated themes but also courageously assumed the charge to pen the “Declaration of Panama” reproduced here below.
Read the full Declaration:
