Latin America & the Caribbean

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Government and experts look for answers in reforming financing of politics

The seminar, 'Financing of Politics: Challenges for Reform', aimed to create a joint diagnostic assessment on the strengths and weaknesses of the current system of financing of political parties and electoral campaigns. The ultimate goal of the event was to develop a new bill that is supported by the necessary consensus.

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In Latin America and the Caribbean, considerable steps have been taken to strengthen democracy. However, with some of the world’s most blatant levels of inequality present in the region, people’s confidence in the consequences of democracy can be easily shaken.

We focus on electoral integrity and electoral justice, particularly money in politics and the funding of political parties. We also concentrate on constitutional reform processes and the interface between democracy and its capacity to deliver, in terms of citizen security.

Our regional office is in Panama and other country and sub-regional offices are active in Chile, Paraguay and Peru.

What's Going On

Sep
15
2022
Event
Global Democracy Coalition: International Democracy Day Conference
Sep
14
2022
Event
Balance del Estado de la Democracia en América Latina y Paraguay
Sep
12
2022
Feature Story
A victory for political inclusion in Paraguay
Sep
12
2022
Feature Story
Paraguay: Political Training School for Women Leaders earns award by the Global Network on Electoral Justice
Jul
04
2022
Event
Challenges of Electoral Integrity Around the Globe
Jun
10
2022
Event
The State of Democracy in Latin America and the World

Databases & Tools

Tool
Electoral Redistricting App
Explore how to create electoral districts using the Electoral Redistricting App (ERA).
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Tool
Summit for Democracy Commitment Dashboard
Explore country commitments on the the Summit for Democracy Commitment Dashboard.
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Social Media Activity

 

Country & Regional Support

PANAMA

On December 9, 2018, Panama became the thirty-first member state of the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the ninth member state from Latin America and the Caribbean.

International IDEA´s fruitful cooperation relationship with Panama, particularly with the Electoral Tribunal, further strengthened this bond as well as the positive and continued joint work. The Panama project is currently focused on the following thematic axes: a) normative, b) institutional strengthening (professional electoral career, institutional communication, promotion of democratic civic culture, elections management, and applied research) and c) Regional Center of Excellence.

PARAGUAY

International IDEA began working in Paraguay in 2016 to support national efforts to achieve more inclusive, transparent and sustainable electoral processes, by strengthening the institutional capacities of the Superior Electoral Tribunal and national stakeholders. We also work to promote the participation of under-represented groups in politics and elections, particularly women, youth, indigenous communities, and persons with disabilities.

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Peru

We began sponsoring activities in Peru during the early days of the transitional government and opened a national programme office in 2002.

We joined forces with several national and international organizations to publish the State of Democracy report, outlining the challenges facing Peru’s democratic system. We have collaborated on a variety of initiatives to strengthen institutions and democratic processes including offering assistance to political parties, offering assistance to Congress and parliamentary groups, offering assistance to electoral institutions to improve their technical, regulatory and oversight capabilities, especially with regard to gender equality, and promoting dialogue, consensus building among political and social leaders.

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Mexico

This office is now closed. Our work in Mexico focused on the promotion and evaluation of electoral equality policy and gender quotas and technical assistance, consultation and delivery of specialized knowledge on electoral and political party legislation, electoral systems and government.

This included the organization of dialogues and the publication of academic texts and materials that reflect the comparative knowledge obtained from the academic activities implemented.

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Bolivia

Since 2000, Bolivia has been going through an important historic period distinguished by the dominance of social movements (particularly indigenous) in the reconfiguration of power, plus the growing participation of women in the public agenda, demanding recognition of their political role.

Between 2000-2020, this period has included a new constitution and new laws. Our expert knowledge contributed to the drafting process and discussion of new laws, mainly through technical assistance to generate inputs, providing comparative knowledge and providing opportunities for dialogue between legislators and citizens. Our work in Bolivia involved building intercultural democracy by strengthening the programmatic nature of national and regional political organizations and promoting the political participation of women’s perspective of political pluralism, ethnic cultural diversity and democratic civic culture.

The International IDEA Bolivia Office is closed since August 2021.

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Chile

From 2016 to 2020, the International IDEA Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean was established in Chile. 

Haiti

Present in Haiti from September 2011-December 2018, International IDEA enhanced democratic governability and political participation and representation.

The Haiti office focused on the strengthening of political parties and parliament and supported the political participation of youth and women. We organized workshops and training with political parties, facilitated inter-party dialogue and launched a study on the state of political parties in Haiti. Additionally, we worked with parliament to foster effective legislative agenda setting and provided punctual technical assistance to parliamentary commissions and individual legislators. Our work involved strategic partnerships with local women’s and youth associations to foster the political integration of women and youth through sensitization campaigns and training sessions.

Networks & Partners

Agencia Española de Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo (AECID)
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Coordinadora de la Mujer (Bolivia)
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Electoral Tribunal of Panama
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European Union
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Fundación UNIR
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FUNGLODE (Dominican Republic)
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Institute of Legal Research of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (IIJ/UNAM)
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Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD)
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UN Women
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UNASUR
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UNDP Latin America and the Caribbean
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USAID - U.S. Agency for International Development
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Woodrow Wilson International Center
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Contact Our Offices

Latin America and the Caribbean (Panama)

Oficina Regional para América Latina y el Caribe 
2° Piso, Edificio Anexo
Tribunal Electoral de Panamá
Avenida Omar Torrijos Herrera
Panamá, Panamá

+507-6303-6060
Dr Daniel Zovatto
Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
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Panama

Oficina Regional para América Latina y el Caribe 
2° Piso, Edificio Anexo
Tribunal Electoral de Panamá
Avenida Omar Torrijos Herrera
Panamá, Panamá

+52 55 35155757
Carlos González Martínez
Project Manager
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Paraguay

Av. Aviadores del Chaco 2050
World Trade Center Torre 1, piso 16
Asunción, Paraguay

 

+595 985 994915
Salvador Romero Ballivián
Head of Paraguay Programme
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Peru

Calle Burgos 530
San Isidro, Lima
Peru

+511 422 9800
Percy Medina
Head of Mission
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Chile (and Southern Cone Countries)

Edificio Bicentenario

Moneda 1326, piso 1

Santiago, Chile

+56 2 26171530
Daniel Zovatto
Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean
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