Integrating the indigenous populations into the globalized economy

Despite years of political activism, indigenous populations across Latin
America have attained little economic progress. This has resulted from the fact that indigenous people have experienced lower gains from poverty reduction at a regional level, they recovered more slowly from economic crises, they have fewer years of education on average, they have less access to basic health services and their poverty gap is deeper and more protracted relative to non-indigenous groups.

The members of the OAS have a duty to improve this situation. However, the expansion of globalization that is currently being experienced presents several challenges in achieving economic equality. The control that indigenous peoples may have over their lands and natural resource is rapidly being reduced. Free trade agreements signed between the economic powerhouses of the region are being negotiated without the consent of the indigenous groups. And most importantly, the jobs that emerged in response to globalization differ substantially from the jobs practiced by indigenous peoples. These factors combined have resulted in the deterioration of economic conditions previously mentioned. Therefore, it is important to consider and address the following questions:

In which way can the OAS ensure a rapid restoration of economic conditions necessary for sustainability? How can the policies and regulations of member countries change to improve the lives of indigenous groups? What actions can be followed to integrate the indigenous populations into the regional economy? How can we attain a balance between the positive elements of globalization and its negative risks imposed upon the indigenous groups?