The main purpose of the Training Centre for Regional Integration (CEFIR) is to promote the exchange of knowledge and experience between Europe and Latin America in matters related to the development, management, and implementation of public policies aimed at regional integration.

The establishment of CEFIR is the product of a joint initiative of the member countries of the Rio Group and the European Union (EU), oriented to cooperation in regional integration matters. As a result, both groups of countries agreed to launch the Training Programme for Regional Integration whose implementation was entrusted to the European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA) in Maastricht, Netherlands.

TARGET GROUP

CEFIR courses are intended to help strenghten and develop the capacity of the Latin American countries to implement and manage integration programs through training and enrichment activities, targeting high-level public and private officials involved in the formulation, management and implementation of public policies on integration, within the context of MERCOSUR, the Andean Community and other regional free trade agreements.

ACTIVITIES

1. Training Activities

CEFIR's training activities are essentially designed on the basis of three separate formats: regional modules, subregional courses, and national courses.

The regional modules comprise training activities targeting all of the Rio Group countries. Their content is oriented toward the discussion of relevant questions in the field of regional integration and hemispheric field. These courses regularly take place at CEFIR headquarters in Montevideo.

The subregional courses comprise training activities specifically aimed at subregional processes or free trade agreements. As far as their focus and content are concerned, the programming of these courses responds to the unique characteristics of the various integration schemes and are aimed at satisfying the specific requirements generated by the negotiation and implementation agendas of these processes. These courses take place in the different cities of Latin America.

The national courses consist of training activities responding to specific requests from the Rio Group countries. The only participants are officials from the requesting country, and the courses are held "in situ." These courses are tailored to national needs and priorities, and they are usually held in various locations.

2. Other Services

Diploma in Advanced Studies in Integration: This is geared to young cadres, advisors, and executives responsible for ministry or presidential cabinets; board advisors to chambers of commerce; chairman of the boards of business federations and union leaders. It is aimed at generating a deeper knowledge about the present situation of integration processes.

Specialized European Documentation Centre: This status, granted by the European Union for free on-line access to its database, is also the depository of a large part of the official publications of European institutions. It is available to public organizations, regional institutions, and agents related to integration processes.

Specialized Library in Integration Management: Exclusive in the region due to its specialized profile in integration process management, it is an information tool and a reference source for those interested in practical integration matters. There is a reference room also used to prepare and disseminate documentation and support materials for CEFIR training activities.

Video Conference Centre: This center offers the possibility to make non-present training activities interactively connecting experts in Europe and Latin America with participants attending CEFIR courses.

STRUCTURE

The instituional organization of CEFIR is composed of two organisms:

Intergovernmental CEFIR

On the occasion of the Europe-Latin America-Caribbean Summit held in Río de Janeiro , June 27 and 28, 1999, the Ministers of External Relations of the Rio Group signed the Constitutive Act of CEFIR, giving it the status of intergovernmental organization and inviting the European Commission, the Member States of the European Union , regional and international organizations to be part of it.

CEFIR Foundation

In accordance with the internal decision adopted by the Ministers of External Relations of the Rio Group in Mexico May 29, 1999, a Foundation was created, consisting of a group of personalities from the public and private sectors of the countries of Latin America and the European Union.

FINANCE

CEFIR is financed with budget resources from the economic cooperation program of the European Union, following the provisions in the Financing Agreement signed by the EU and the Rio Group. It likewise benefits from supplementary contributions from the Rio Group member countries, which pay for the per diem of the participating officials, the local expenses incurred by the training activities carried out in their territories, and especially from a major financial counterpart of the Government of Uruguay, which has mostly contributed with the infrastructure and facilities for the establishment of the Centre in its territory.

As far as financial consolidation of CEFIR is concerned, it relies next on the approval of Phase IV of the EU-Rio Group Programme that will last for five years (2001-2005), under a progressive partnership scheme. This phase called Consolidation and Development of CEFIR, will rely on the financial contributions of the European Commission and the GRIO.