Cecilia Morel participates in unprecedented international alliance of first ladies

On Tuesday, First Lady Cecilia Morel held a virtual meeting with over ten of her peers in order to take the first step towards the creation of an unprecedented alliance designed to allow Latin American first ladies to exchange experiences.

The process began last September in New York, where several first ladies attended activities related to the UN General Assembly. Following a meeting with Melania Trump, several of them toured downtown New York and went to a café, where they discussed the work that they do in their countries. It was there that they decided to find a way to stay in touch.

“Alma” – the Alliance of Spouses of Heads of State and Representatives - developed a few months ago. The objective is for participants to be able to exchange experiences, work together and develop joint programs that can have a regional impact and promote specific actions to benefit the public.

In order to bring this unprecedented initiative to fruition, on Tuesday First Lady Cecilia Morel took part in a virtual meeting from La Moneda Palace that included the participation of 13 countries.

During the activity, Cecilia Morel presented the Chile’s “Adulto Mejor” (Better Adult) program, a multi-sectorial initiative that implements specific measures designed to benefit older adults who seek to engage in a positive, active and healthy aging process. She also highlighted the “Friendly Cities” plan to adapt cities to the needs of older adults in accordance with World Health Organization standards.

First Lady Morel also described the work on childhood that she is doing through the charity that operates preschools and day care facilities, Fundación Integra, and the other six institutions of the Presidency: Fundación de las Familias which assists families, the national youth and children's orchestras organization (Fundación de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles), Fundación Chilenter that seeks to extend technology access, Interactive museum organization (MIM), Fundación Prodemu which is designed to promote women’s development, and handicrafts promotion charity Fundación Artesanías de Chile. The main mission of these entities is to work to achieve a fairer and more equitable society that provides opportunities in the areas of families, women, culture, heritage and education.

During their first meeting, the first ladies agreed to extend their ties and joint working with the implementation of the “2030 Sustainable Development Agenda,” which places human dignity at the center of the discussion with a transformative and inclusive vision. The agenda was approved by the countries in 2015.

In that context, the first ladies agreed to promote actions designed to advance joint initiatives and most effectively support the efforts of the officials and entities responsible for the following areas in each country:

• Health and wellbeing: Promoting universal access to healthcare, vaccines and medications, especially for children; comprehensive early childhood care and health and nutrition strategies, particularly exclusive breastfeeding during the first six months of life; and reduction of anemia and maternal mortality rates, among other issues. 

• Inclusive, equitable and quality education beginning in early childhood, and lifelong learning that promote diversity and pluralism.

• Economic and social empowerment of women in order to promote their true development and eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women.

• Promoting a culture of peace and respect for fundamental rights, encouraging tolerance, respect and dialogue.

• Aid for the victims of disasters.

• Development of inclusive communities that are safe and free from all types of violence, paying special attention to senior citizens and children.

• Improving the quality of life of all people with disabilities.

The first ladies who participated in the teleconference were Cecilia Morel of Chile, Silvana Abdo of Paraguay, Juliana Awada of Argentina, Adriana Salvatierra of Bolivia, Michelle Bolsonaro of Brazil, María Ruiz of Colombia, Claudia Dobles of Costa Rica, Roció de Moreno of Ecuador, Patricia de Morales of Guatemala, Ana Hernández of Honduras, Yazmín de Cortizo of Panama, Maribel Díaz of Peru, and Cándida Montilla of the Dominican Republic.

Paraguay is responsible for coordinating the alliance. The office of the country’s First Lady, Silvana López, signed an agreement with the UNDP to shape and expand the incipient efforts.