In two countries in Latin America, CI members are
showing how the use of ICT tools (web 2.0, social networks or
mobile phones) can improve the participation of citizens in
regulatory processes.
ASPEC (Peru) and
CDC (El Salvador) are focussing on
water.
The project, entitled "Citizenship, collaborative technologies
and regulation" is sponsored by Canada's International Development
Research Institute (IDRC). It started in March 2011 and was planned
to end in February 2013, with CI's Hubert Linders as project
coordinator.
Technology
The project consists of an investigation into the use of modern
communication technologies (web-based
and/or using mobile phones) to increase the participation of
citizens in regulation processes.
It is being run as a pilot in El Salvador and Peru, and focuses
on the regulation of (and access to) water and sanitation, with the
aim of replicating the project in other countries and other public
services areas when successful. Both participating organisations
had some delays and this is why we are proposing an extension of
the project for four months to ensure maximum impact.
Latin America focus
The work kicked off with a project introduction and capacity
building workshop for both CI members from El Salvador and Peru to
which representatives of members from surrounding countries were
invited (Bolivia, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico,
Panama, Venezuela).
Because the project involves the use of new tools and technologies,
it was decided that a network of 'digital natives' would be created
who would support the participating organisations for one year. In
addition to the project extension, a follow-up digital native
network has been proposed linking this project to CI's work on
broadband access.
As part of the project, a dedicated website and a blog were set
up where more information on the project and its participants can
be found (www.empodere.se). There is also a section with examples
of tools and websites that promote citizen's empowerment.
Separately, an investigation was carried out on the transparency
of the regulation of public services in Latin America. It showed
that while the regulator's websites show all the legally-required
data, information that could help consumers when dealing with
service providers generally is missing.
Publication
The results of the project, together with the findings of the
above-mentioned investigation, will lead to the publication of
recommendations for regulating bodies on how to improve the
participation of citizens and a manual for consumer organisations
on how to replicate the project.
More info
If you would like a copy of the project proposal, or any other
information, please contact Hubert at
hlinders@consumidoresint.org