Mirada Ciudadana - Good governance in Mercosur municipalities

5th Meeting for Political Dialogue in Paraguay: Decentralization and Local Governments

Ciudad del Este, Paraguay
,
Paraguay
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October 03, 2018
ADELANTE Programme: Triangular Cooperation European Union Latin America and the Caribbean

From September 26 to 28, the Mirada Ciudadana project held the 5th Political Dialogue Encounter: Decentralization and Local Governments. It was held in the Session Room of the Government of Alto Paraná, in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay. It brought together Governors, Intendants, Mayors and Prefeitos from Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay to reflect on the levels of Decentralization, the role of local governments and the importance of having more resources to carry out public policies that directly impact on the welfare of people who live in the territory. Mirada Ciudadana is a South - South cooperation project, which the Government of Cerro Largo coordinates, and which is developed through the ADELANTE Program of the European Union.

SERGIO BOTANA spoke of the Meeting of Political Dialogue in Paraguay

On this occasion we were with the Intendant of President Franco, Roque Godoy Jara. When visiting his city, we saw the achievements of his successful management, in what has been the growth of this city, as well as the important progress plans, he has on track. Within these plans, the construction of a bridge to unite Foz de Iguazú with its city, and tourist projects to enhance the enormous natural wealth of its people.

We participate in meetings with women activists from Ciudad del Este and Asunción with whom we share some medium and short term political objectives, and activities that will be developed in the future in order to increase the participation of women in politics and entrepreneurship.

On the other hand, we met with National Representative Roya Torres with whom we will surely share some electoral projects in an exchange between the electoral authorities of Uruguay and the electoral authorities of Paraguay that will continue to be very fruitful. This will be a way to improve political participation in this country and take it to the levels we have especially in some communities in Uruguay, such as the case of Cerro Largo.

We participated in the 5th Encuentro, in which we were received by the Executive of the Governorship of Alto Paraná, together with all the Intendants of Alto Paraná and the region. Based on a document presented by the technician of Mirada Ciudadana, Mariano Berro, which contains figures on the participation of sub national governments in national public spending worldwide, we conducted an analysis. There it is evidenced that those more developed countries have much higher participation indicators, up to 7 times higher in percentages than the indicators presented by the less developed countries.

On that occasion the Mayor of Plácido Rosas Diego Fernández, presented a clear presentation on the Federation of Municipalities of Cerro Largo and all its vast experience. This served as the basis for a discussion that occurred mainly with the representatives of the municipalities of Argentina that were at the meeting.

In addition, there was an exhibition by Candiota's Prefeito, Adriano Castro Dos Santos, who told how the municipalities of southern Brazil are associated to capture resources and administer resources for development areas that go beyond municipal competition. They have developed a beautiful instrument. This discussion motivated multiple interventions by legislators in the region who tried to understand the scope of these tools and their functionality.

It is worth noting the active presence of Governor Roberto Gonzáles, from Alto Paraná, who appreciated the municipal management but also took the decision to call the Paraguayan interior to create a municipal movement together with the Councilors and the Legislative Assembly, Wilberto Cabrera. This is an excellent way for people to apply wisely and wisely their own resources to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of national public spending in Paraguay.

Positive balance of the meeting according to Lucy Larrosa, project coordinator

For the Mirada Ciudadana project, the sessions have been positive, successful and consider that this line of work of Encuentros de Diálogo Político contributes to advance the issues that concern the municipalities. Topics such as allocation of resources, health needs, tourism; the development of the territory, since many times the resources they receive are too few to cover the demands of citizens.

At the beginning of the Meeting, the presentation of the project was made, thanking the ADELANTE Program and the European Union for developing these activities that would not be viable with their own resources alone.

The participation of the Local Authorities of Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay was very relevant, fostering the exchange of experience, where the Federation of Municipalities of Cerro (Uruguay) and Cideja (Brazil) stand out. The latter generated a lot of interest mainly from the Paraguayan authorities since the decentralization process, both in Uruguay and in Paraguay, is slower than what Brazil has achieved, which has enormous experience and great advances in terms of municipalism. In this regard, the Paraguayan Local Authorities proposed a date at the end of October or beginning of November to advance a national meeting of Municípios.

As a balance, the Mirada Ciudadana project feels very satisfied to be able to generate these spaces of dialogue that contribute to producing positive changes to improve people's welfare and compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals.