Seventh Summit of the Americas Remains Pleasantly Calm

The delegate from Guyana edits her block’s working paper during an unmoderated caucus

The Seventh Summit of the Americas, including representatives from both Northern and Southern America, focused on the surge of corruption enrapturing most of Latin America. Suggestions of body cameras, education reform and improved border security characterized early morning debate, with the council’s environment remaining charmingly stagnant.

Surrounded by a sea of monotonous blacks and grays, the delegate from Guyana immediately made an impression, waltzing up to the podium in a bright blue dress. Addressing justice system reform, economic disparities, and training for police officers, the delegate reflected grace and poise only expected from heads of state.

Looking confidently into the crowd, training her eyes on the audience instead of her notes, the Guyana representative’s speech differed greatly from her fellow delegates, who stumbled over their words and stared intently at the podium as if it owed them money. Offering suggestions without criticizing other blocks ideas, it came as no surprise that the delegate of Guyana was thanked in a speech by Cuba, a member of the opposing block, for her diplomacy.

The Dominican Republic and Chile, other members of Cuba’s block, had no compunction about walking up to Guyana during an unmoderated caucus and discussing their ideas. There was no bickering, no sniping, no punches thrown - just calm conversation normally envisioned in proper committee. However tantalizing drama can be, witnessing delegates act civilly and treat others with respect was certainly a welcome relief.

While the two blocks negotiated throughout the unmoderated caucus, the likelihood of merging papers soon dissolved into obscurity. “My main focus now is inclusivity,” Guyana said between conversing with other delegates and writing clauses. She went on to explain how when merging papers, delegates can often lose credit for ideas that they themselves came up with. “There’s simply no reason to try and merge papers when they can be passed in tandem,” she said.

Every representative who spoke received the full attention of all present. Delegates did not tear each other down simply to lift themselves up. Exhibited mainly by the delegate from Guyana, a gifted public-speaker (and impeccable dresser), there was no drama or squabbling to be seen, a grand reminder that cooperation cannot exist without some sense of decorum, respect for one another and one another's ideas.