Local authorities in Uruguay, Chile, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay prioritise the transparency and citizen participation in their agendas
The International Seminar of the project Mirada Ciudadana: Good governance in MERCOSUR municipalities took place and was a great success. 12th - 16th July 2017
The presence and active participation of the Intendant of Cerro Largo- Luis Sergio Botana stand out; Prefeito of Candiota Brasil, Adriano Castro; Prefeito of Aceguá Brasil, Gerhard Martens; Intendant of President Franco, Paraguay, Roque Godoy; Alcaldesa de Peñalolén, Carolina Leitao, the President of the Federation of Municipalities of Cerro Largo representing the 9 Municipalities and representatives of San Bernardino, Paraguay, San Isidro of Argentina, the Mayors of Aceguá, Noblía, Río Branco, Plácido Rosas, Tupambaé , Arbolito, Fraile Muerto, Arévalo and Ramón Trigo as well as national and departmental authorities from Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, Paraguay and Chile.
On the other hand, one of the high points of the seminar was the excellent conference given by Dr. Josep Villareal, Director of Strategy of the social area of the City of Barcelona, telling the experience of governance of this city called "Citizen Agreement".
The presentation of the experience of the Municipality of Peñalolén, by Mayor Carolina Leitao, at the table "Transparency and citizen participation as development tools" is highlighted. This Municipality has a long history and recognition for the policies developed in this line. On this occasion the Mayor of Arevalo Eduardo Lucas presents the local experience that has been developing successfully.
The Transboundary Development table was attended by the Prefeito de Candiota, the Mayor of Presidente Franco and Ambassador César Ferrer of MRREE of Uruguay. The participation of representatives of UNDP, AGESIC, gave prestige and gave content on the themes of open government and the Sustainable Development Goals with a territorial perspective, developed by the Mayor of Plácido Rosas Diego Fernández.
The project aims to build a space for dialogue, exchange of experiences and strengthening of the management capacities of local governments, with Governance and Citizen Participation as pillars. To this end, presentations were given on the topics indicated, in international cooperation, by the Cooperation Manager of the Ministry of Education and Culture, Soc. Claudia Romano and Mtra. Lucy Larrosa, Project coordinator.
The Good Practices in the design of public social policies by the Municipality of San Isidro Leonardo Bulla and the Mayor of Fraile Muerto Graciela Echenique and the technical assistance and coordination work carried out by the Coordination of Municipalities of Cerro Largo with the 9 municipalities of Cerro Largo by Virginia Costa and Mariano Berro, technician of the Mirada Ciudadana Project.
On Wednesday delegations participating in the Seminar moved to the Prefecture of Yaguarón, where a Regional Meeting of Municipalities led by Prefecto Favio Télis, President of Azonasul and Dr. Pablo Duarte, was held by the Intendencia de Cerro Largo, with the purpose of consolidating the political dialogue, the elaboration of a common agenda and the creation of a Network of Municipalities that are partners of the Project, which will be expanded with the local governments that share the concerns and interests. Also, the presence of Dr. Glenda Vilela on behalf of the Fund for Structural Convergence of MERCOSUR (FOCEM), which was accompanied by the Prefeito de Aceguá- Brasil Gherald Martens and the Mayor of Aceguá - Urugay Ruben Almeida, was key. These municipalities are being beneficiaries of a FOCEM project "Saneamiento AceguáAceguá", which is beginning its execution.
Lastly, presentations, rapporteur ship and technical-academic support provided by the Institute of Communication and Development (ICD), an organization with vast experience and international recognition in matters of transparency, governance and SDGs, were of great importance. This event is part of the Mirada Ciudadana project, coordinated by the Intendencia de Cerro Largo and co-financed by the European Union. As of the closing of the seminar, the training and coordination stage will begin with the local governments, partners of the countries that make up this proposal.
