The event took place within the OECD Development Centre’s Talks “Reshaping development”

When COVID-19 hit, Latin American and the Caribbean was already in a fragile state. Social vulnerability had increased throughout the continent, productivity was low, and institutional instability had reached an all-time high due to growing social discontent and polarisation. Now the pandemic has exacerbated all of these issues, widening inequalities and pushing millions into poverty. In this context, the need to question and transform the region’s development model seems unavoidable.

But to do so, there needs to be a broad consensus on what progress and well-being mean, and how to get there. This Dev Talk aims to take a close look at the practicalities of designing a new social contract through a series of questions. How can the region set a process of dialogue in motion to reach an inclusive, stable and long-lasting consensus? What experiences have historically been successful in facilitating the negotiation of social contracts and how to ensure civil society, the private sector and other actors are involved? How can today’s crisis be leveraged as an opportunity for change and can the new electoral cycle in Latin America set this transformation in motion?

Participants:

Introductory Remarks:

  • Mario Pezzini, Director of the OECD Development Centre. (@mariopezzini)
  • Carlos Malamud, Senior Analyst, Elcano Royal Institute. (@CarlosMalamud)

Discussion session:

  • Paz Milet, Institute of International Studies, University of Chile. (@Pazmilet1)
  • Gonzalo Restrepo López, Businessman and Former Peace Negotiator in Colombia.
  • Simón Pachano, Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales – Ecuador.
  • Modera: Alejandra de Bellis, Permanent Delegate of the Oriental Republic of Uruguay to UNESCO and the OECD.

Concluding remarks:

Thursday, 18th March 2021, from 18:00 to 19:30 h. CET (UTC+1)