1. As part of a Korea-OAS (Organization of American States) cooperation project Korea concluded a
bilateral memorandum of understanding to contribute US$190,000 to the Orchestra Program for Youth
at Risk in the Caribbean for youngsters of Haiti, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and other countries in the region.
The program, designed to prevent the deviation of the youth in the region with limited educational
opportunities and to help them grow up psychologically healthy, provides them with training in group music.
2. Having acceded to the OAS in 1981 as Asia's first permanent observer, Korea supported a variety
of cooperation projects aimed at democratic, social and economic development of the region by
contributing cooperation fund on an annual basis from 2002 through 2010.
* Amount of contribution: a total of US$865,000 from 2002 through 2010
* Main areas of support: election observation, donation to the Peace Fund, activities on the OAS Human
Rights Commission
3. The “Orchestra Program” is drawing keen attention and interest of the local community, attributable to
the fact that it is an educational program for the youth, the future leaders, of the Caribbean as well as a
development cooperation project in the form of an art education program.
4. As can be seen by the support for the Program, Korea’s grant aid for Latin America is focused on
helping the region see development in not only the economic but also social and education sectors,
which, in turn, is expected to bring Korea closer to Latin American countries as a cooperative partner.
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFAT
* unofficial translation