In two countries in Latin America, CI members will
investigate 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) will focus
on water.
The project, entitled "Citizenship, collaborative technologies
and regulation" is sponsored by IDRC, the Canadian development
research institute. It runs for two years, from March 2011 until
February 2013, with Hubert Linders (pictured below, seventh from
top left) 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 will be carried out as a pilot in El Salvador (CDC) and Peru
(ASPEC), and will focus on the regulation of (access to) water and
sanitation, with the aim to be replicated in other countries and
other public services areas when successful.
Latin America focus
The project kicked off with a capacity building workshop for
both CI members in El Salvador and Peru to which representatives of
members from surrounding countries were invited (Bolivia, Chile,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Venezuela).
As it is introducing tools and technologies applicable to campaign
and advocacy work of CI members, it was decided to create a network
of digital natives that will support the organisations that
participated in the workshop. As part of the project, a dedicated
website will be set up shortly.
Separately, an investigation will be carried out on the
transparency of the regulation of public services in Latin America
and the citizens' participation in establishing that
regulation.
Publication
This, together with the findings of the above-mentioned
investigation will lead to the publication of recommendations for
consumer organisations and regulating bodies on how to improve the
participation of citizens.
More info
If you would like a copy of the project proposal, or any other
information, please contact Hubert at
hlinders@consumidoresint.org