Global Policy Perspective Report

Pacific Alliance &

Observer Countries
An Agenda for cooperation

Authors:
Mario Torres Jarrín, Gian Luca Gardini & Jacobo Ramirez

With the support of the:

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
Acknowledgements
1. Executive summary
2. Background
3. Potential Areas of Cooperation
3.1 Digitalization
3.2 Entrepreneurship and SMEs
3.3 Vocational Education and Training
3.4 Gender Equality
4. Policy recommendations for the Pacific Alliance
4.1 Digitalization
4.2 Entrepreneurship and SMEs
4.3 Vocational Education and Training
4.4 Gender Equality
4.5 Institutional tools and procedures
5. The authors
6. Annexes
6.1 Joint Seminar EIIS & OCDE/ Book Launch: “Emerging Markets. The Pacific
Alliance: Perspectives & Opportunities for Latin America” in OCDE
Development Centre-OECD Headquarters, Paris (23. 06.2017)
6.2 Programme of the workshop in Stockholm (05.12.2017)
6.3 Programme of the workshop in Copenhagen (11.04.2018)
6.4 Programme of the workshop in Berlin (11.06.2018)

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 Foreword

The Pacific Alliance is one of the great achievements of our time. This ambitious integration
project started in 2011 by a small group of countries Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico and
has caught the attention of the world. It currently numbers 52 Observer Countries, four of
which are on the path to becoming associated countries, and 28 of which are OECD Member
Countries.

Over the past eight years, the Pacific Alliance has demonstrated persistence and continuity
(surpassing a number of diverse government administrations) in its objective of “moving
progressively towards the free movement of goods, services, resources and people”. This is
already a major achievement in Latin America, but more recently it has also become a source
of hope for the world as the clouds of protectionism continue to gather.

The Pacific Alliance has adopted key measures to promote regional integration, including:
significant advances in the liberalisation of trade in goods; the creation of a joint platform for
stock markets; joint diplomatic and trade undertakings in Asia; and numerous social
achievements such as the Alliance scholarship programme. A further relevant characteristic
of this integration mechanism has been its openness to collaborate with observer countries
and to learn from their good practices and lessons learnt.

As such, the study “Pacific Alliance & Observer Countries: An Agenda for co-operation” is the
successful culmination of a series of discussions and debates on new regional integration
models in Latin America. It aims to support the Pacific Alliance in this learning process with
concrete experiences that three countries (Sweden, Germany and Denmark) offer in four
relevant policy domains: Digitalisation; SMEs and Entrepreneurship; Vocational Education
and Training; and, Gender Equality. These areas have also been prioritised by the Pacific
Alliance in its Declarations of Puerto Varas (2016), Cali (2017) and Puerto Vallarta (2018).

The OECD is proud of having taken part in the reflection process that led to the preparation
of this study. This work was conducted jointly with the European Institute of International
Studies (EIIS), the Copenhagen Business School (CBS), and Friedrich Alexander Universität
Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU).

The study’s proposals and recommendations can contribute significantly to designing and
implementing a co-operation agenda between the Pacific Alliance and its Observer and
Associated Member Countries. Indeed, such ties can go a long way in advancing
comprehensive international co-operation that supports promoting the multilateral agenda
for global public goods and sustainable development, defining wider sources of financing,
and developing innovative modalities of co-operation such as capacity building and
technological transfers.

The OECD is a staunch supporter and an ally of the Pacific Alliance. We have been working
closely with the Alliance’s four Member Countries to advance significant reforms. We now
stand ready to take this collaboration a step further in providing strategic advice on the co-

2
operation between the Pacific Alliance and its observer countries. Moreover, the OECD is
ideally placed for this role, indeed, today 28 observer countries in the Pacific Alliance are
OECD members.

The OECD is also ready to support the constructive dialogue process that the Pacific Alliance
is conducting with MERCOSUR, as well as the ongoing co-operation with ASEAN and the
commitment to establish co-operation roadmap with the European Union.

We wish to express our gratitude to our partners the EIIS, the CBS and the FAU for their
work and efforts. We would also like to thank the Governments and Institutions that have
supported these initiatives and specifically: The Ministries for Foreign Affairs of Sweden,
Denmark and Germany as well as Business Sweden, the Confederation of Danish Industry
and the Federation of German Industries.

Gabriela Ramos
OECD Chief of Staff and Sherpa

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 Acknowledgements

This Global Policy Perspective Report "Pacific Alliance & Observer Countries. An Agenda for
cooperation" is the result of all the conversations and contributions of the three seminars in
Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Berlin. However, the ideas and proposals expressed here are
the authors’ views and responsibility. We are grateful to all participants in the seminars for
their comments and input:

Aggerholm Krog Steffen, Cities Changing Diabetes Secretariat Novo Nordisk

Amarteifio Patrick, Siemens Healthcare, Vice President Customer Services; Global Training
Center Head
Beraún José, Ambassador of Peru to Kingdom of Sweden with concurrency in Kingdom of
Denmark
Brand-Schock Ruth, Head of Political and Governmental Relations ENERCON GmbH
Danielsen Andreas, Desk Officer-Pacific Alliance, Americas Department-Ministry for Foreign
Affairs of Sweden
Dohmen Dieter, Founder and Director, FIBS
Dohmen Michael, Deputy of Division for Latin America and the Caribbean, German Federal
Foreign Office
Durán Sonia, Ambassador of Colombia to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland (Pro-Tempore
Presidency-Pacific Alliance)
Gasca Agustín, Ambassador of Mexico to Kingdom of Sweden
Goñi José, Ambassador of Chile to Kingdom of Sweden
Hefer Christine, StMUK, Vocational Schools in Social Care Services, Social Pedagogy and the
Health Care Sector
Herrmann Niels, Pearson, Vice-President, Germany/Austria/Switzerland
King Caroline, Director Government Relations & Global Corporate Affairs, SAP
Leugering Günter, Vice-President-FAU
Mair Stefan, Member of the Board of the BDI (Federation of German Industries)
Martin Alexander, Chair for Business Mathematics-FAU
Martínez Santiago, Embassy of Colombia to Federal Republic of Germany
Melguizo Ángel, Head of the Latin American and Caribbean Unit at the OECD Development
Centre
Möslein Kathrin, Vice-President and Chair for Information Systems-FAU
Nitz Tara, Legal Advisor Energy and Climate VCI
Österreicher Mario, President German Association of Teachers of English-FAU
Pietz Dagmar, Internationalization of Education-BMBF
Pombo María Elvira, Ambassador of Colombia to Federal Republic of Germany
Pujalte Carlos, Ambassador of Mexico to Kingdom of Denmark
Quist Mortensen Irene, CSR Business Partner, Arla International, Arla Foods
Rabbow Michael, GHP-German Healthcare Partnership, Ambassador International Relations
Seling Irene, BDA, Deputy Head of Department Education/Vocational Training
Sellgren Lena, Chief Economist of the Business Sweden
Somogyi Andreas, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of Austria in Germany
Tarsetti Quezada Flavio, Ambassador of Chile to Kingdom of Denmark
Villarreal Oscar, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
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Violante Pica Jonathan, European Institute of International Studies
Vogtmann Sørensen Lars, Senior Adviser / Asia, Oceania and Latin America, Ministry of
Foreign Affairs of Denmark
Walter Annette, Head Division for Latin America and the Caribbean, German Federal Foreign
Office
Zobel Tobias, Department of Computer Science-FAU

5
 1. Executive summary
In 2011, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru launched the Pacific Alliance (PA). The initial
results have been very positive and have attracted wide international interest. The potential
for cooperation between the PA and its 52 observer and associate countries is enormous,
but until now not fully realized.

This report by the European Institute of International Studies (EIIS), the Copenhagen
Business School (CBS), Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), and with
the support of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD),
articulates a concrete agenda for cooperation between the PA and its observer countries.

Three workshops were held in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin, bringing together
academics, policy makers, business and civil society, and diplomats. Four macro-areas for
cooperation were identified: digitalization, entrepreneurship and SMEs, vocational
education and training, and gender equality. Specific policy proposals were elaborated as
follows.

In the area of digitalization: The concept that the digital transformation is not only about
technology but mostly about a mindset; to advance toward a digital single market for the
Pacific Alliance; the creation of a Pacific Alliance Search Engine Advertising Manager (SEA
Manager); to pursue a skills for tasks approach in digital training and education; and to
provide digital training through technology. Specific measures are further elaborated.

In the area of entrepreneurship and SMEs: To improve the financing system for SMEs; to
improve the language skills, especially English, available to and within SMEs; to stimulate the
efficient use of energy networks and supply; and to invest in the tourism sector. Specific
measures are further elaborated.

In the area of Vocational Education and Training: To improve the quality of the teachers; to
improve the quality of the teaching materials; to invest in the proficiency of English and
other languages; and to move from a STEM to a STEAM (where A stands for Art and
Humanities) approach. Specific measures are further elaborated.

Gender equality is a cross-cutting issue that affects all priority areas. The experience of
Sweden, Denmark, and Germany can serve as a reference for specific cooperation projects.

These policy proposals are accompanied by institutional recommendations to facilitate the

cooperation between the PA and the observer countries: To grant the OECD the role of
“Strategic Advisor for cooperation between the PA and its observer countries”; to set up a
Support Group of Independent Experts to assist in the design and implementation of a
cooperation agenda between the PA and the observer countries; to consider a Pacific
Alliance-Mercosur Framework Agreement; and to consider a Framework Agreement and a
Political Dialogue Mechanism between the Pacific Alliance and the European Union.

6
 2. Background

In 2011, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru launched the Pacific Alliance (PA), a regional
integration project aiming at strengthening trade exchanges, promoting living standards and
social inclusion, and enhancing the presence of the members in the Asia-Pacific region.
Several measures have been adopted by PA member countries to implement this initiative.
These include significant advances in the liberalization of trade in goods, the creation of a
joint platform for stock markets, joint diplomatic and trade undertakings in Asia, and
achievements in society matters such as the waiver of visa for nationals or the Alliance
scholarship program.

These measures and the commitment of the Pacific Alliance to free trade and effective
cooperation with partners worldwide, have attracted wide international interest, including
52 countries joining as observer and associate members. The potential for cooperation
between the PA members and the observer and associate countries is enormous, but until
now not fully achieved. This report, which is the joint effort of the European Institute of
International Studies (EIIS), the Copenhagen Business School (CBS), Friedrich Alexander
Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), and with the support of the Organisation for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), intends to propose and articulate an
agenda for cooperation between the PA and its observer countries.

This report is the culmination of a series of discussions and events on the topic, first
launched by the OECD and the EIIS in Paris in 2017. The initial seminar highlighted the
importance of clear paths to overcome challenges and maximize opportunities for
cooperation between the Pacific Alliance and observer countries. The scope and aims of the
Pacific Alliance go well beyond free trade, and opportunities for cooperation include fields
such as: science and technology, digital agenda, technical and higher education, and gender
equality among others. There is therefore a significant and untapped potential for further
interaction among the 28 OECD Member Countries, which are also observer or associate
members to the Pacific Alliance, and the PA four member states, which all are members of
the OECD Development Centre. To provide an effective cooperation between PA countries
and observer countries, such cooperation should go beyond traditional instruments and
include other modalities as innovative instruments of knowledge sharing, capacity building
and technological transfers. This should also take into consideration national and regional
strategies and reflect a multidimensional approach for development across PA countries
rather than sectoral approaches focusing only on GDP growth.

The EIIS and the OECD led a reflection on closer cooperation between the Pacific Alliance
and its Observer Countries. The Copenhagen Business School (Denmark) and Friedrich
Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg (Germany) joined the effort. This resulted in
three international seminars held in Stockholm (December 2017), Copenhagen (April 2018)
and Berlin (June 2018). The main topics discussed included: Vocational education & training,
digital economy transformations, inclusive development, regional integration, SMEs and
global value chains, and gender equality. These areas reflect the priorities established by the
PA itself in the Declarations of Puerto Varas (2016), Cali (2017), and Puerto Vallarta (2018),
the strengths and expertise of the German, Swedish and Danish socio-economic models, and
7
the approach to, and key areas of work at the OECD to promote better well-being and
improvements in competiveness.

This Global Policy Perspective Report is the result of the joint work of the OCDE, the EIIS, the
CBS, and FAU, as well as of the input of the several experts from the business sector, the
public administration, the education and training sector, NGOs and think tanks that
participated in the events in Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Berlin.

3. Potential Areas of Cooperation

The workshops held in Stockholm, Copenhagen and Berlin identified and discussed a wide
range of potential areas for cooperation between the members of the Pacific Alliance and
the observer and associate members. These areas include processes of digital
transformation, the digital economy, education and research in digital skills, vocational
education and training in several fields, inclusive development, regional integration, Small
and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs), creation of and insertion into regional and global value
chains, gender gaps and equality. Discussions among academics, policy-makers, businesses,
civil society representatives, and diplomats led to the definition of four priority macro-areas
with significant potential for cooperation: digitalization, entrepreneurship and SMEs,
vocational education and training, and gender equality. Gender equality is a transversal field
for action and, at the same time, a desirable goal of public policy. It also has the potential to
enhance and multiply the positive effects of the efforts in the other priority areas.

3.1 Digitalization
The digital agenda at the national, regional and international levels is key to the present and
future development of any community, especially to those that seek a better and more
effective international insertion in regional and global value chains. The digital agenda
however comes both with opportunities and challenges. In the framework of the Pacific
Alliance, the 2016 Declaration of Puerto Varas aptly emphasized the opportunities and
challenges posed by the rapid development of the digital economy, particularly to SMEs.
Following the Digital Agenda of the Pacific Alliance, the three seminars underpinning this
policy report highlighted four main sub-areas, which deserve special attention: 1) the digital
economy (particularly regional digital market and the internationalization strategy for the IT
industry); 2) digital connectivity (IPv6, roaming, IXPs, high speed net access); 3) digital
government (open data, delivery of citizens’ public services and shared services); and 4)
digital ecosystems (net neutrality, digital security, privacy protection, coordination between
regional network information centers, and equality and inclusion in the digital environment).
The OECD has been working on several areas of this Digital Agenda for Latin America,
including digital strategies, regulatory frameworks, spectrum management, affordability,
sector taxation, digital government strategies, and digital security and privacy.1 Hence the

1
OECD/CAF/ECLAC (2018), Latin American Economic Outlook 2018: Rethinking Institutions for Development,
OECD Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/leo-2018-en and OECD/IDB (2016), Broadband Policies for
Latin America and the Caribbean: A Digital Economy Toolkit, OECD Publishing,
Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264251823-en
8
policy proposals presented in the PA report on Digital Agenda is relevant for a variety of
actors. These recommendations invariably make reference to education and digital skills as
these are the basis for any digitalization strategy for development, which are not possible
without digital competence. Likewise, digitalization has a lot to do with business
development and the opportunities to access regional and global value chains. The Swedish
system is particularly strong in this field.

3.2 Entrepreneurship and SMEs

The ability to stimulate the talent and the sense of initiative of its own people is
fundamental to any society. This includes the ability of a community to provide
opportunities to operationalize and reward those talents appropriately. This is a key factor
for economic and social development. In the case of Latin America, SMEs represent the
majority of businesses and employers, and most of them are part of the informal sector. It is
therefore crucial to provide these actors with the instruments to foster their
entrepreneurship and their ability to be present and compete in ever larger markets, be at
the regional or global level. The challenge and the importance of integrating Latin American
SMEs in the formal market to strengthen the region’s economic capacity and leave the
informal market behind cannot be underestimated. In the framework of the Pacific Alliance,
the 2017 Cali Declaration pointed out three key mandates: a) developing a public policy
index in coordination with the OECD; b) fostering the simplification of requirements and red-
tape procedures through digital and technological platforms, and c) developing
entrepreneurial educational programs for young people to help generate a business-mind
approach. Entrepreneurship, digitalization and vocational training are strictly
interconnected, and this is also the approach taken in this policy report, especially in its
policy recommendations, which aim to connect these three spheres. Regional integration
processes, but not exclusively, may be a valuable engine to reach these objectives. It is vital
to integrate SMEs in trade agreements, and in trade strategies with Asia in the context of the
PA. A national and regional development strategy is needed to promote entrepreneurship
and promote a better insertion of the PA’s SMEs in the Global Value Chains. The central role
of domestic agencies for trade and investment has to be highlighted too. These should
contribute to increase the visibility and presence of SMEs at the international level. The
potential for cooperation between the PA and the observer members in this area is still
largely untapped and worth a profound and creative reflection, also based on the
experiences and successful cases of some of the observer states. The Danish system is
particularly strong in this field.

3.3 Vocational education and training

Education is not only about higher education, especially in Latin American societies and labor
structures, it has a lot to do with the generation and dissemination of technical skills.
Vocational education and training (VET) is an essential tool to promote trade, international
insertion, and inclusive development. A major challenge for the PA is to achieve better and
more targeted technical training to reduce the skills mismatch as several countries in the

9
region face.2 This would give the four members the local technical expertise required to
realize their potential for further economic and social development. Technical training can
facilitate inclusion in value chains, the grasp of opportunities offered by digitalization and
new technologies, and the reduction of gender and ethnic gaps, a vital challenge in the PA,
along with the strengthening of the SME sector. Accordingly, four sub-themes in VET have
been pointed out. First, digitalization: training in digital technologies is essential to benefit
from the new opportunities that information and knowledge-based economies and societies
offer. The digital gap must be reduced to achieve inclusive and sustainable development.
Second, foreign language learning: effective technical training in foreign language, mainly
English, is paramount for SMEs to be able to join regional and global value chains, and more
broadly to interact internationally and command technological development and devices.
Third, energy systems: technical expertise in this field is fundamental to grasp the
opportunities offered by “at-the-edge” innovation, such as green technology and renewable
energies. This is not the future but the present. Fourth, medical engineering: new medical
technology helps save lives and improve life quality. For a better society, it is important to
have well-trained staff who know how to use new medical technologies and to make them
available to society as widely as possible. Cooperation between the PA and observer and
associate countries in these four sub-fields can be mutually beneficial. The German system is
particularly strong in this field.

3.4 Gender equality

Along with VET, gender equality is a transversal issue that affects all the potential areas for
cooperation discussed during the three workshops. The inclusion of women in society
decisions, activities and production is crucial for the overall development of communities, in
particular those where women’s employment rates remain relatively low. Active gender
policy affects all sectors, from digitalization to entrepreneurship and to higher and technical
education. The reduction of the gender and ethnic gap have positive effects on both
economic and social development, encourage inclusive development and a just and fair
society. This must however be achieved in respect of local tradition and culture. This is why
the implementation of a gender equal opportunity policy must reach all sectors of potential
cooperation between the PA and its observer members. This is also why the PA set up a
Working Group on Gender and has developed its own strategy to include gender as a
crosscutting element in the PA, focused on specific actions for the most relevant thematic
working groups. A roadmap for cooperation with observer states already exists. It aims,
among other things, to include business women in international and export strategies.
Overall, gender equality must be a target for cooperation in all policy areas, as
recommended by the OECD.3 Focus must be on: a) improving specific forms of support for
women entrepreneurship; b) reconciling work and family life to achieve a healthy balance
between economic and social goals; c) eliminating gender inequalities at the workplace (e.g.,
eliminating gender gaps, tackling sexual harassment, pay disparities). Sweden, Germany and
Denmark are particularly strong performers in this area.

2
OECD/ECLAC/CAF (2016), Latin American Economic Outlook 2017: Youth, Skills and Entrepreneurship, OECD
Publishing, Paris. http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/leo-2017-en
3
OECD (2016), Gender Equality in the Pacific Alliance: Promoting Women's Economic Empowerment, OECD
Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264262959-en.
10
4 Policy recommendations for the Pacific Alliance

As a result of the discussions held during the three workshops, a number of policy proposals
to operationalize cooperation between the Pacific Alliance and its observer and associate
members emerged. In particular, the following policy proposals are addressed to the Pacific
Alliance, the Governments of its member states, and the PA Technical Groups for them to
liaise with the observer countries and propose an agenda for cooperation characterized by
specific measures in the four priority areas. Most of the envisaged measures cut across the
priority areas and focus particularly on education as an engine for development in the other
fields. Further to the discussions held under the aegis of the Swedish Foreign Ministry, the
Danish Foreign Ministry, and the German Foreign Ministry, these three observer countries
proactively supported this initiative, and they will find proposals to operationalize the
strengths of their respective systems and their foreign policy interests in the Pacific Alliance
zone.

4.1 Digitalization
a) The digital transformation is not only about technology but mostly about a mindset.
This concept has to be widely disseminated. This can be done with information and
awareness campaigns that bring together experts from the interested observer
members. Digitalization is neither good nor bad per se, but digitalization is what we
make of it.
b) Advance towards a digital single market for the Pacific Alliance and more broadly for
Latin America. This would include areas such Telecoms regulation, Cybersecurity,
Media, Copyright, platforms and eCommerce. The 2016 European Economic and
Social Committee position paper on the Digital Single Market and the 2016 CAF
report on “Building a digital single market strategy for Latin America” and the 2016
OECD/IDB report on “Broadband Policies for Latin America and the Caribbean: A
Digital Economy Toolkit” may serve as initial references.
c) Creation of a Pacific Alliance Search Engine Advertising Manager (SEA Manager). This
is meant to match the skills available in the digital job offer market and the demand
of companies and public institutions.
d) To pursue a skills for tasks approach in digital training and education. For instance, to
include digital skills and knowledge of digital transformation(s) in the STEM areas in
the curricula at schools and university, to improve the digital infrastructure at
vocational schools to mirror industry and company needs.

e) To provide digital skills and training through technology. The use of technological
devices allows us to reach a wide audience, including those in the informal sector
and/or senior citizens. For instance, using mobile applications to train digital
competences in a tailor-made approach and according to one’s own time and

11
 availability, to look at training and certification systems in other developing regions
(i.e. SAP programs in Africa).

4.2 Entrepreneurship and SMEs

a) To improve the financing system for SMEs. This is especially important for those SMEs
that want to go green or improve their energy efficiency. The financing mechanisms
should be embarked on a national and regional strategy for competitiveness. The
examples of the German KFW-Bank of the DANIDA development bank scheme could
be a good basis for reflection. The idea of the PA Capital Fund for SME
Entrepreneurship is a laudable step in this direction.
b) To improve the soft, language, and technical skills available within SMEs. This would
facilitate their insertion in international value chains. “In-company training” is a
possibility but informality and lack of resources and time make it a complex issue,
especially for SMEs. The OECD/ECLAC/CAF “Latin American Economic Outlook 2017:
Youth, Skills and Entrepreneurship” may serve as initial references. The German
Apprenticeship Scheme may constitute an initial basis for discussion of language
training.
c) To stimulate the efficient use of energy networks and supply. Not only the efficient
allocation of human capital but also that of energy and other resources can improve
competitiveness. Algorithms can now save on energy consumption and distribution,
and they can be developed by small teams of researcher, including young PhDs, at
affordable costs. Germany and FAU are forerunners in this field.

d) To invest in the tourism sector. In particular, to improve the offer as well as the
accommodation capacity. To give value to the natural, architectural and cultural
heritage. To propose new PA-packages (from 2- to 4-country destinations). To
develop a cheap flight-package program for the four PA countries based on the
European experience with inter-rail or Brazil’s Airpass. Overall, to attract tourists not
only from the international markets but also from the PA countries. Currently
approximately 20 million Mexicans a year visit the US, there is space for flow increase
and diversion.

4.3 Vocational Education and Training (VET)

a) To improve teacher quality. Providing training to the trainers is fundamental to the
success of any education system. This is a particularly acute problem in most of Latin
America. We recommend conducting precise surveys about the quality of the
trainers, to design new programs for the training of the trainers in collaboration with
students and companies, and to invest in the development of soft skills for trainers.

12
 b) To improve the quality of teaching materials. There exist companies in the observer
states that specialize in advanced training material (i.e. Pearson), including content,
test and certification in different areas of knowledge. Specific packages can be
designed and produced to meet the need identified by the PA countries.
c) To invest in the proficiency of English and other languages. This could be pursued by
opening the PA Scholarship scheme for PA students to go to English speaking
countries (UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand for instance) to improve their
skills. Another avenue could be to negotiate the application of the new EU Erasmus
Plus program to the PA countries.
d) To move from a STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) to a STEAM
(where A stands for art and humanities) approach. Technical training produces good
professionals, but thorough education produces good citizens. STEM disciplines are
important, but we also recommend the inclusion of the Arts and Humanities in
technical curricula too, hence the acronym STEAM, which also means power, drive,
and determination. A citizen who is able to think logically and independently, who
knows where he/she comes from, who is aware of realities and challenges will be
more creative and innovative. The Arts and Humanities stimulate these assets.

4.4 Gender Equality

The measures and initiatives mentioned above have to be considered with special care to
empower women and other disadvantaged groups in the PA countries, such as indigenous
groups and ethnic minorities. This is a cross-cutting issue that affects all areas of public
policy, employment creation, and economic and social inclusion. The experience developed
by Sweden, Denmark and Germany, as well as the OECD, in this specific respect can be a
promising area for collaboration between the PA and the observer countries.

4.5 Institutional tools and procedures

These proposals have to be accompanied by some additional institutional recommendations

to facilitate cooperation between the PA and the observer countries. New institutional and
procedural arrangements and solutions can foster and smooth both the design and the
implementation of some of the envisaged measures. In particular we recommend that:
a) The OECD is granted the role of “Strategic Advisor for cooperation between the PA
and its observer countries”. The experience, independence and expertise of the OECD
in the areas identified, its institutional structure, and its established networks with
potentially interested parties, all stakeholders, and the PA members and observer
countries make the OECD the perfect international companion to the PA for this
venture.

13
b) A Support Group of Independent Experts is set up to stimulate and accompany the
design and implementation of a cooperation agenda between the PA and the
observer countries. The group would ideally be composed of independent academics
and experts and complemented by representatives of the PA Technical Groups and
representatives of the interested observer states in order to coordinate political
directions and the implementation of specific cooperation projects.
c) The strengths of the systems of Sweden, Denmark and Germany in the identified
areas are taken as an initial point of reference. This would stimulate reflection and
provide incentives to implement the recommendations of this policy report. Sweden,
Denmark and Germany are the PA observer countries and OECD members that have
given impetus to this set of workshops and policy recommendations.

d) A thorough assessment promptly takes place about the appropriateness of a Pacific

Alliance-Mercosur Framework Agreement, at least in the priority areas highlighted in
this report. In terms of fostering regional integration, this would stimulate specific
cooperation projects within Latin America.
e) A thorough assessment promptly takes place about the appropriateness of a
comprehensive Framework Agreement and a specific Political Dialogue Mechanism
between the Pacific Alliance and the European Union. In terms of fostering
interregional cooperation, this would give new momentum to EU-Latin America
relations.

The implementation of these recommendations should take into consideration the

following elements: i) a comprehensive and multidimensional strategy for development
rather than a sectoral approach; ii) the promotion of a multilateral agenda for global
public goods and sustainable development; and iii) the definition of wider sources of
financing (e.g. climate funds, blended finance, domestic resource mobilization).

14
 5. The authors

Gian Luca Gardini is Professor of International Relations and Chair of International Business
and Society Relations with focus on Latin America at Friedrich Alexander University,
Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany. He has previously taught at the University of Cambridge and
the University of Bath in the UK. He holds an MPhil and a PhD from the University of
Cambridge. His research focuses on the international relations of Latin America, foreign and
trade policy analysis, and comparative regional integration. In 2012 he worked in the team
that organized the 1st EU-CELAC Summit.

Jacobo Ramirez is an Assistant Professor in Latin American Business Development at the

Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC), Copenhagen Business
School (CBS). He earned his doctoral degree in Business Administration at Newcastle
University, England (2005), in collaboration with the Grenoble School of Management,
France. Prior to joining CBS, Dr Ramirez was a co-founder and chair of the research group
European Studies on Development and Competitiveness at the Tecnológico de Monterrey,
Mexico (2007-2010). He also was a co-founder of the Latin America Business Forum (2014)
at CBS to further develop Danish business engagement in Latin America and the Caribbean

Mario Torres Jarrín is Director of the European Institute of International Studies (Spain-
Sweden). He is Associate Scholar in the Institute of Latin American Studies, Department of
Romance Studies and Classics Faculty of Humanities at Stockholm University (Sweden).
Executive Secretary IBERO-EURO-AMERICA Consortium of Universities, Institutes and
Institutions. He is member of the Bi-Regional Council of the Latin America and Caribbean-EU
Academic Forum. He holds a PhD in History, a Master in EU Studies, and a BA in Business
from the University of Salamanca (Spain). His research interests include EU foreign affairs,
EU & Latin American relations, and global governance.

15
6. Annexes

6.1 Joint Seminar EIIS & OCDE/ Book Launch: “Emerging Markets. The Pacific Alliance:
Perspectives & Opportunities for Latin America” in OCDE Development Centre-OECD
Headquarters, Paris (23. 06.2017)
6.2 Programme of the workshop in Stockholm (05.12.2017)
6.3 Programme of the workshop in Copenhagen (11.04.2018)
6.4 Programme of the workshop in Berlin (11.06.2018)

16


The OECD Development Centre and the European Institute of International Studies (EIIS) are pleased
to invite you to the presentation of the book

“Emerging Markets. The Pacific Alliance: Perspectives & Opportunities for Latin
America”

23 June, 2017; 9.30-11.00 hrs
OECD Headquarters – Room CC20
_______________________________________

“Emerging Markets. The Pacific Alliance: Perspectives & Opportunities for Latin America” looks at a
new model of regional integration for emerging economies. Throughout the last decades, Latin America
has seen the birth of a number of integration projects. According to the authors, the majority of these
projects aimed at creating markets based on geographical proximity and not necessarily a shared political
and economic vision, as is the case with the Pacific Alliance.

The Pacific Alliance is a regional integration initiative that includes Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.
Its objectives are: 1) to build an area of deep integration through participation and consensus that
advances the free movement of goods, services, resources and people; 2) to drive further growth,
development and competitiveness of the participating economies by investing in greater well-being,
overcoming socioeconomic inequality and promoting social inclusion; and 3) to project to the world a
platform of political articulation as well as, economic and commercial integration, emphasising the Asia-
Pacific region.

This book looks at the diplomatic, economic, political and technological perspectives of the Pacific
Alliance, analysing the opportunities that may occur during regional integration and making serious
recommendations for the substantial challenges. It results from collaboration among various research
groups of the European Institute of International Studies.

To register please click here (http://www2.oecd.org/oecdinfo/info.aspx?App=EMS&Ref=E80205) or

contact Mrs Agustina Vierheller at agustina.vierheller@oecd.org

Book presentation

“Emerging Markets. The Pacific Alliance: Perspectives and Opportunities for

Latin America”

23 June, 2017; 9.30-11.00 hrs
OECD Headquarters – Room CC20
_______________________________________

DRAFT Agenda

9.30-9.40 Introductory remarks

Federico Bonaglia, Acting Deputy Director, OECD Development Centre

9.40-10.10 Presentation of the book “Emerging markets. The Pacific Alliance: perspectives
and opportunities for Latin America”

Mario Torres Jarrín, Editor of the book; Director, European Institute of International Studies (EIIS)

Jonathan Violante Pica, Editor of the book; Head of Multilateral Affairs and Protocol, EIIS

10.10-10.30 The Pacific Alliance from a regional perspective

Representatives of the Pacific Alliance and the region

10.30-10.50 Comments by

Angel Melguizo, Head of the Latin America Desk, OECD Development Centre

10.50-11.20 Questions and Answers

11.20-11.30 Conclusions
Federico Bonaglia

About the speakers

Mario Torres Jarrín

Mario Torres Jarrín is Director of the European Institute of International Studies

(EIIS). He also holds the following positions: Associate Scholar in the Institute of
Latin American Studies, Department of Romance Studies and Classics of the
Faculty of Humanities at Stockholm University; Executive Secretary IBERO-
EURO-AMERICA Consortium of Universities, Institutes and Institutions; Member
of the Bi-Regional Academic Council of the Permanent Academic Forum Latin
America and Caribbean-European Union; Director of the Global Iberoamerica
Chair; Director of the EU-CELAC Chair and Director of the Inter-Regional
Dialogue and Global Governance Research Group. He has a PhD in History,
Faculty of Geography and History at University of Salamanca (Spain); Master in
European Union Studies, Faculty of Law at University of Salamanca and Bachelor in Business Studies,
Faculty of Economics and Business at the University of Salamanca.

Jonathan Violante Pica

Jonathan Violante Pica is a trisectoral athlete given his work in business,
government and not-for-profit sectors. He has experience in aeronautics as an
engineer for InterJet and in private equity in Australia within the mining and energy
sector. He worked in public diplomacy for the Embassy of Mexico in Sweden. In
the not-for-profit sector, he has worked on issues of democracy and education
globally. Currently, he is the Head of Multilateral Affairs and Protocol at the
European Institute of International Studies (EIIS) and the Coordinator for the
Mechanism of Joint Action Towards Sustainable, Equal and Inclusive Democratic
Societies developed by the Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance
(IDEA) and EIIS. Furthermore, he is actively involved in the work developed by the Finance and Private
Sector Research Group of EIIS, focusing on processes that lead to value creation in the 21st century,
including the role played by new technologies, financial markets and regional integration to promote
inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

The European Institute of International Studies (EIIS) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) are pleased to invite to the

Stockholm Conference
The Pacific Alliance – An emerging region in a global world
Towards better integration of regional policies and international cooperation
Stockholm, 5th December, 2017
Venue:
Business Sweden-Headquarters
World Trade Center
Klarabergsviadukten 70, 11164 Stockholm

Organized by:

In collaboration with:

Presidency Pro Tempore Pacific Alliance

Supported by

Embassy of Chile to Sweden

Embassy of Peru to Sweden
Embassy of Mexico to Sweden
 Stockholm Conference
The Pacific Alliance – An emerging region in a global world
Towards better integration of regional policies and international cooperation

The Stockholm Conference-Pacific Alliance is the first chapter of a two-fold conference which will see its second
edition at Copenhagen Business School (CBS) in spring 2018. This initiative is derived from the joint seminar
between EIIS and OECD: “Emerging Markets. The Pacific Alliance: Perspectives & Opportunities” held in the OECD
Headquarters in Paris on June 23rd 2017. Participants at the seminar highlighted the immense importance of clear
paths to overcome challenges and maximize opportunities for further contact with observer countries, and
emphasizing prospects with the OECD members in view of strengthening a robust dialogue amongst member
countries, observer and associated states.

The Pacific Alliance is an initiative of regional integration comprised by Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru. Its
objectives are to: build in a participatory and consensual way an area of deep integration to move progressively
towards the free movement of goods, services, resources and people; drive further growth, development and
competitiveness of the economies of its members, focused on achieving greater well-being, overcoming
socioeconomic inequality and promote the social inclusion of its inhabitants; become a platform of political
articulation, economic and commercial integration and projection to the world.

As the Pacific Alliance initiatives explore areas beyond free trade, there are opportunities found in other areas for
cooperation such as: technological and scientific cooperation, promotion of business, and education cooperation
among others. In this context, there is huge untapped potential for further interaction among the 28 OECD Member
Countries who are also observer or associate members to the Pacific Alliance and the Block’s four member states.
Furthermore, such cooperation has great importance as the role of international cooperation, which is challenged
particularly by a complex and diverse globalized world, where global actors with a shared long-term vision of
sustainable development and inclusive growth ought to find multilateral forums to come closer. This Conference aims
to discuss not only the promotion of trade policy guidelines for more sustained and robust growth in the area, but also
with other types of mutually beneficial cooperation in view of increasing the well-being of the region, hence
coordinating synergies to reinforce regional policies of impact.

In this regard, the specific objectives are to take stock of the Pacific Alliance mandate and agenda in areas such as
regional integration, digital agenda, education and competencies, gender; and discuss methods of work and practices,
including support (if identified) from observer countries and associate members, as well as regional and international
organizations in order to achieve successful outcomes. In this sense, the Conference will culminate by leading a
reflection on the global policy context of the Pacific Alliance with in-depth discussions about identified synergies and
possible ways to reinforce them through a consensual harmonization exercise.

Finally, it is relevant to point out that since its creation, the Pacific Alliance has experienced increasing economic
integration which has led to growth within the region and translated to interest from the international community. In
this regard, as the number of observer countries continues to grow it is important to have an informed and ongoing
dialogue about the opportunities presented by the region, by opening spaces for political articulation where untapped
potential can be explored and exploited.
 TENTATIVE PROGRAMME

9h00-9h30 – Registration and welcome

9h30 – 10h15 – Introductory remarks – The PA, opportunities for LA and beyond
Lena Sellgren, Chief Economist at Business Sweden-The Swedish Trade & Invest Council (BS)
Dr. Mario Torres Jarrín, Director of the European Institute of International Studies (EIIS)
Dr. Oscar Villarreal, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Amb. Sonia Durán, Ambassador of Colombia to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland (Pro-Tempore Presidency-
Pacific Alliance)
Andreas Danielsen, Desk Officer-Pacific Alliance, Americas Department-Ministry for Foreign Affairs of
Sweden (UD-AME)

10h15-11h30 – Session 1: Regional integration, SMEs and GVCs

SMEs role and impact on growth, job creation, social cohesion and poverty reduction are widely recognized,
and are an important part of the PA’s economy, but yet with a GDP contribution in LAC of only around
30%. Reinforcing the trade and investment agenda of the PA through SMEs strengthening and integration at
a regional level is a key element to foster internationalization.

Speaker – Amb. Sonia Durán, Embassy of Colombia to Sweden with concurrency in Denmark and Iceland
Moderator – Dr. Jacobo Ramirez, Copenhagen Business School (CBS)

11h30-12h45 – Session 2: The Digital agenda of the Pacific Alliance

The ongoing digital transformation of economies is an important driver to enhance well-being of societies,
to boost inclusive and sustainable growth and to promote innovation. Reviewing the PA digital agenda
(digital economy, digital connectivity, digital government, digital ecosystems) will allow us to find paths to
support, promote and implement its ambitious objectives. How can we take part and take advantage of the
new digital era?

Speaker – Amb. José Goñi, Embassy of Chile to Sweden

Moderator –Jonathan Violante Pica, European Institute of International Studies

12h45-13h00 – Family photo

13h00 – 14h00 – Lunch

14h00-15h30 – Panel 3 – Education and skills in the Pacific Alliance

The confluence of globalisation, digitalisation and demographic change affect significantly the world of
work from a quantity and quality perspective: how and who is doing the job. Investing in skills it’s a key
element to support sustainable, robust growth and development and help reducing inequality and poverty.
Are the skills for today the skills for tomorrow?

Speaker – Amb. José Beraún, Embassy of Peru to Sweden with concurrency in Denmark
Moderator – Dr. Gian Luca Gardini, Friedrich-Alexander Universität Erlanden-Nüremberg

15h30-15h45 – Coffee break

15h45 – 17h00 – Panel 4 – Gender equality in the Pacific Alliance

Women’s inclusion in economic life is a key driver of economic growth. PA countries have made good
progress on gender equality in the past few decades, however tenacious difficulties remain: low-quality jobs,
economic insecurity, poverty... Whilst these touch all and everyone, women are particularly affected. What
can the PA do?

Speaker – Amb. Agustín Gasca, Embassy of Mexico to Sweden

Moderator – Lena Sellgren, Chief Economist of the Business Sweden

17h00-17h30 – Wrap and conclusions. Next meeting Q2 2018.

Dr. Oscar Villarreal, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
Dr. Mario Torres Jarrín, Director of the European Institute of International Studies (EIIS)

17h30-19h00 – Cocktail Reception offer by the Embassy of Colombia to Sweden, Denmark and
Iceland (Pro-Tempore Presidency-Pacific Alliance)
 LATIN AMERICA BUSINESS FORUM
Sustainable development through social programmes in Danish
Industry: Implications and opportunities for the Pacific Alliance
Copenhagen, 11th April 2018

Organized by:

In collaboration with:

Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Denmark

Confederation of Danish Industry

PPT-Pacific Alliance
Embassy of Colombia to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland
Embassy of Chile to Denmark
Embassy of Mexico to Denmark
Embassy of Peru to Sweden, Denmark and Iceland
 Sustainable development through social programmes in Danish
Industry: Implications and opportunities for the Pacific Alliance

Background:
In 2011, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru established the Pacific Alliance to 1) build an
alliance for closer integration based on participation and consensus; 2) move progressively
towards the free movement of goods, services, resources and people; 3) foster development
and competitiveness of the economies of its members; 4) achieve greater civil society well-
being; and 5) become a platform of political articulation, economic and commercial
integration and projection to the world.

The Pacific Alliance initiatives also explore areas beyond free trade, such as scientific and
education cooperation, and business development in innovative technological solutions. In
this context, there is huge untapped potential for further interaction among the 28 OECD
Member Countries who are also observers or associate members of the Pacific Alliance (e.g.,
Denmark).

The seminar is part of a series of seminars organised by the European Institute of

International Affairs (IEEI) and OECD in 2017 (Paris in June and Stockholm in December)
aimed at creating a platform to facilitate discussion amongst Pacific Alliance member
countries, observers and associated states. The CBS seminar will be followed by a closing
workshop at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universität in Germany (June 2018) to further discuss
opportunities and challenges in relation to entrepreneurship, digital skills and innovation
between Europe and the Pacific Alliance region.

Objectives:
1) To raise awareness of Danish firms’ social programmes in emerging markets to foster
sustainable development, and thereby to further strengthen cooperation with the Pacific
Alliance region.
2) To inspire CBS students in innovative-entrepreneurship social programmes and
perspectives for business opportunities in emerging markets, particularly within the Pacific
Alliance.
Venue: Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
Solbjerg Pl. 3, 2000 Frederiksberg, Auditorium SP205

Please register your attendance by sending an e-mail to Zartashia Ahmed at Zartashia

Ahmed za.msc@cbs.dk
Date: 11th April 2018
PROGRAMME
09:50 Welcome Jacobo Ramirez
Latin America Business Forum (CBS)
Mario Torres
European Institute of International Studies (EIIS)
Ángel Melguizo
Head of the Latin American and Caribbean Unit at the OECD’s Development Centre
09:55 DI's role in the internationalization of Danish companies in Latin America
Kathrine Lyster H. Hansen
Senior Market Advisor, Confederation of Danish Industry
10:10 The Milky Way to Development - Arla Foods’ Sustainable Development Programmes
in Emerging Markets
Irene Quist Mortensen
CSR Business Partner, Arla International, Arla Foods
10:35 Public-private partnerships to bend the diabetes curve in Mexico
Steffen Aggerholm Krog
Cities Changing Diabetes secretariat
Novo Nordisk
11:00 Do you want to turn your idea into a business
Britta Ravn Bjerglund
Business Developer
Copenhagen School of Entrepreneurship
11:15 Short Coffee Break
11:20 Pacific Alliance’s mandates on entrepreneurship, skills and digital agenda
Ángel Melguizo
Head of the Latin American and Caribbean Unit at the OECD’s Development Centre
11:35 Danish relations with Latin America from a government perspective
Lars Vogtmann Sørensen
Senior Adviser / Asia, Oceania and Latin America
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
12:00 Pacific Alliance –A perspective from Colombia, Chile, Mexico and Peru
H.E. Sonia Durán, Ambassador, PPT-Pacific Alliance-Embassy of Colombia in Sweden,
Denmark and Iceland
H.E. Flavio Tarsetti Quezada, Ambassador of Chile in Denmark
H.E. Carlos Pujalte, Ambassador of Mexico in Denmark
H.E. Jose Beraun, Ambassador of Peru in Sweden, Denmark and Iceland
12:30 Questions & Concluding Remarks
Prof. Gian Luca Gardini, Ph.D.
Professor of International Relations and Latin American Politics
University Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany
13:00 Thank you and Cocktail offered by the Embassies of Chile and Mexico in Denmark
 Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD),
European Institute of International Studies (IEEI), and the Copenhagen Business School (CBS)
under the aegis of the German Federal Foreign Office (AA) and the pro-tempore Presidency of the Pacific Alliance
hosted by the Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI)
organize the Workshop:

The Pacific Alliance:

An agenda for cooperation with observer members
Vocational education & training for inclusive development and integration into global value chains
Programme:

10.00-10.45 Welcome remarks 14.30-15.30 Panel 3: Energy Systems

• Prof. Gian Luca Gardini Keynote speaker: Prof. Alexander Martin
FAU, Chair of International Business – Latin America FAU, Chair for Business Mathematics
• Prof. Mario Torres Jarrín Moderator Angel Melguizo
IEEI, Director OECD, Chief Economist for Latin America
• Dr. Stefan Mair • Dr. Ruth Brand-Schock
BDI, Member of the Board ENERCON GmbH, Head of Political and
• Annette Walter Governmental Relations
AA, Head of Division for Latin America and the Caribbean • Tara Nitz
• Angel Melguizo VCI, Legal Advisor Energy and Climate
OECD, Chief Economist for Latin America • Santiago Martínez
• María Elvira Pombo Ambassador of Colombia Embassy of Colombia
Pro-tempore Presidency of the Pacific Alliance • Dr. Michael Dohmen
• Prof. Günter Leugering AA, Deputy of Division for Latin America and the
FAU, Vice-President Caribbean
15.30-15.45 Coffee break
10.45-11.45 Panel 1: Digital Transformation
Keynote speaker: Prof. Kathrin Möslein 15.45.16.45 Panel 4: Medical Engineering
FAU, Vice-President and Chair for Information Systems Keynote speaker: Prof. Patrick Amarteifio
Moderator: Lena Sellgren Siemens Healthcare, Global Training Center Head
Business Sweden, Chief Economist Moderator: Dr. Michael Rabbow
• Dr. Caroline King GHP-German Healthcare Partnership, Ambassador
SAP, Director Government Relations & Global Corporate International Relations
Affairs • Tobias Zobel
• Dr. Irene Seling FAU, Central Institute for Medical Technology
BDA, Deputy Head of Department Education/Vocational • Christine Hefer
training StMUK, Vocational Schools in Social Care Services,
• Angel Melguizo Social Pedagogy and the Health Care Sector
OECD, Chief Economist for Latin America • Dr. Dagmar Pietz
BMBF, Internationalization of Education
11.45-12.00 Coffee break
16.45-17.15 Conclusion
12.00-13.00 Panel 2: Language Skills PA Ambassadors
Keynote speaker: Dr. Mario Österreicher Gian Luca Gardini, Mario Torres, Angel Melguizo
FAU, President German Association of Teachers of English 17.15-18.30 Reception
Moderator: Prof. Gian Luca Gardini
FAU, Chair of International Business – Latin America
• Niels Herrmann
Pearson, Vice-President, Germany/Austria/Switzerland
• Dr. Dieter Dohmen
FIBS, Founder and Director
• Mr. Andreas Somogyi,
Embassy of Austria in Germany, Deputy Chief of Mission
13.00-14.30 Lunch
This work is published by the European Institute of International Studies (EIIS), the Copenhagen
Business School (CBS), Friedrich Alexander Universität Erlangen-Nuremberg (FAU), and with the
support of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

Print in Paris, November 5, 2018.