On November 12 – 13″ 2012″ the Latin American Institute for an Alternative Society and an Alternative Law (ILSA)” in collaboration with the Center for the Study of Labor and Agrarian Development (CEDLA)” and RRI hosted a seminar on developing strategies to increase civil society’s participation in–and enhancing its ability to–influence the agenda set forth by the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR) and the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES). 

The seminar” which took place in Bogotá” Colombia” gathered a wide range of national and international civil society actors from the region.  The participants were inclusive of” but not limited to: Indigenous Peoples” Afro-descendants” peasants” local communities” non-government organizations” and trade unions.

The seminar was planned to analyze the changing political landscape in Latin America” which” in recent years” has been undergoing a dynamic process of regional integration.  This process is overseen by UNASUR” an international organization established in 2008 by the member states participating in the treaty” and partially funded by BNDES.  The aim of the treaty is to strengthen regional collaboration and coordination in the areas of energy” education” health” environment” infrastructure” security” and democracy. 

As this process moves forward” civil society in Latin America is keen on being an active participant in its undertaking.  As a result of the seminar’s success” a memorandum entitled” “Thoughts of Civil Society Participation”” detailing the strategies and issues discussed” has been published.

Read the publication (in Spanish) here.

Learn more about the event (in Spanish) here.