A summit meeting is a type of event that brings together thought leaders and influential people to discuss and present solutions to one specific issue. The event is usually held by an organization and typically features speakers who are experts in their respective fields. Organizing a summit is time-consuming and requires a lot of money to put on a high-quality experience that will attract a quality audience. Summits can also be risky in a way that if they don’t result in a clear next step, it could create the impression that the organization is not capable of pursuing new opportunities.
The Summit of the Americas has become an institution that enables us to build a shared language and program a systematic agenda, giving the hemispheric community a solid theoretical framework and concrete mechanisms for collective action. At the same time, we must keep in mind that a lot of work is still needed at the international level and at the national level.
Summits can be helpful for addressing a variety of issues, from economic to social to environmental in nature. They can bring a level of focus that is not possible when all of the players are scattered around the globe and competing for attention. The Summit of the Americas has also provided a platform for the exchange of experiences and ideas that would not have been possible without it. Moreover, it has contributed to the development of new concepts and theoretical references that will be useful in the future for the region.