Representatives from all over the region debated and drafted proposals to guarantee maximum participation and representation for all sectors in the CCMs.
The participants in the South American Regional Meeting of the Country Coordinating Mechanisms and the Regional Coordinating Mechanisms participated in an exercise in which a debate took place on the need for inclusion, participation and representation of all the sectors in the CCMs. The groups prepared proposals and action plans to achieve advances against these obstacles.
Selection of CCM members from the non-governmental sector
The CCM members acknowledged three common problems: A lack of rotation, a lack of representation and the existence of necessary but poorly organised sectors. To resolve these problems, they proposed to apply existing policies and they comply with the election process every two years and with only one mandate extension.
They also suggested that the balance between Civil Society and Government be maintained and that it works in response to the agendas of the sectors and not according to persons or institutions. Lastly, they recognised that s common effort needs to be made in order to guarantee the participation of the less-organised sectors with the support of international cooperation.
Roles and responsibilities of the different sectors in CCM operations
The participants concluded there was a need for capacity building in order to fulfil the roles of the participants. Hence, a greater commitment is needed from the members, the policy-making role of the CCM needs to be boosted and dialogue and advocacy needs to be put into writing in order to prepare national strategies.
They also considered it important to ensure that all sectors participate from the beginning of the proposal preparation and to avoid fragmentation.
Active representation by the CCM members of the interests of the sector they represent
In this last point, the participants identified three precise challenges: Capacity building, achieving effective communication and including baselines in the preparation of the proposals. In the presentation of their conclusions, the group stated that it is fundamental to “strengthen the capacities of each member so that they can effectively participate and represent their sectors”.
To achieve this, they suggested, amongst other action plans, preparing a Web page which includes all the information about the CCM.
The conclusions of all the teams demonstrated that the theory was clear. The problems are identified and there are effective proposals to resolve them. Now, all that remains is to put them into practice to see if they can successfully overcome the conflicts and the differences so that these ideas can truly come into fruition.
By Alejandra Ruffo
Key Correspondent Team – Asuncion, 9/12/09
Selection of CCM members from the non-governmental sector
The CCM members acknowledged three common problems: A lack of rotation, a lack of representation and the existence of necessary but poorly organised sectors. To resolve these problems, they proposed to apply existing policies and they comply with the election process every two years and with only one mandate extension.
They also suggested that the balance between Civil Society and Government be maintained and that it works in response to the agendas of the sectors and not according to persons or institutions. Lastly, they recognised that s common effort needs to be made in order to guarantee the participation of the less-organised sectors with the support of international cooperation.
Roles and responsibilities of the different sectors in CCM operations
The participants concluded there was a need for capacity building in order to fulfil the roles of the participants. Hence, a greater commitment is needed from the members, the policy-making role of the CCM needs to be boosted and dialogue and advocacy needs to be put into writing in order to prepare national strategies.
They also considered it important to ensure that all sectors participate from the beginning of the proposal preparation and to avoid fragmentation.
Active representation by the CCM members of the interests of the sector they represent
In this last point, the participants identified three precise challenges: Capacity building, achieving effective communication and including baselines in the preparation of the proposals. In the presentation of their conclusions, the group stated that it is fundamental to “strengthen the capacities of each member so that they can effectively participate and represent their sectors”.
To achieve this, they suggested, amongst other action plans, preparing a Web page which includes all the information about the CCM.
The conclusions of all the teams demonstrated that the theory was clear. The problems are identified and there are effective proposals to resolve them. Now, all that remains is to put them into practice to see if they can successfully overcome the conflicts and the differences so that these ideas can truly come into fruition.
By Alejandra Ruffo
Key Correspondent Team – Asuncion, 9/12/09
