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Public procurement in a pandemic: a year of direct contracting and lack of transparency

Today the Red Ruido made its presentation with its first investigation on “Public procurement in a pandemic: 2020, the year of direct contracting and the lack of transparency.”

Ruido is a national network made up of journalists, communicators, specialists in open data and referents of civil organizations from 15 provinces that aims to make visible content from all over the country related to issues of transparency, access to public information, corruption and produce investigations, reports and other content related to these topics. From Fundeps we support the creation of the Red Ruido in alliance with FOPEA and with the collaboration of Poder Ciudadano.

These are the results of the first Noise investigation How were public funds used in Argentina for purchases related to the pandemic in 2020?

Through surveys on public portals and requests for access to information, it investigated information on public purchases in pandemic in 13 Argentine provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires between March and December 2020 to answer the following questions: what bought? how they did it? How much did they pay?

Highlights

  • 92% of purchases in the framework of the health emergency were made directly, according to the Noise survey in 14 Argentine provinces.
  • The province of Buenos Aires bought ambulances at prices much higher than those of the rest of the districts.
  • Chaco paid for the most expensive N95 chinstrap in the country.
  • Córdoba and Buenos Aires concentrated the highest billing in a single supplier.
  • Santa Cruz purchased the liter of ethyl alcohol at the highest cost.
  • The most opaque provinces: Formosa, Santiago del Estero and Tucumán do not make any purchase details public.
  • Difficulties in accessing information in each district.
  • Reports and data province by province

Buenos Aires, with the most expensive ambulances in the country
The information obtained is partial and incomplete despite requests for access to the information, which were not answered. The most striking case: the ambulances of more than $ 13 million.

Catamarca, little information and a lot of jet
There are no public portals to access purchases and the information collected on expenses due to Covid-19 is minimal. A health jet purchased in a pandemic cost $ 8,950,000.

Chaco, no frame
There is a shopping portal, but it is impossible to know which ones correspond to the emergency due to the pandemic. The request for access to information was not answered.

CABA, with 210 operations without consignment
It is one of the best organized districts, with the display of public purchases. Although there are 210 operations that cannot be traced. Suppliers to investigate.

Córdoba, with differences
Almost all the data are available online. The Noise survey shows 83% of direct awards. The Government has another interpretation.

Entre Ríos: the dispute to investigate overpricing
The limit for direct purchases in a pandemic was extended to almost $ 5 million. And the ordinary and federal Justices dispute an investigation for overpricing.

Formosa, the impenetrable
There are no web portals or information on hiring in a pandemic. The only response to the request for access was the figure of how much was the total spent.

Mendoza, accessible
The province is one of the most transparent in relation to the publication of contracts. More information here.

Salta, the imprecise

It is not possible to access the information of the final awards. The government did not respond to requests for access to information on Ruido.

Incomplete answer in Santa Cruz
It does not publish official purchase data. Noise got them after access requests, which were answered by five out of seven ministries. The “sensitive data” that is not displayed. More information here.

Santa Fe, with confusing data
There is no coincidence between the few operations that appear on the official shopping portal, reported by Ruido. It is also not clear if they correspond to the emergency due to the pandemic. More information here.

Santiago del Estero: not even paying
It is one of the most opaque provinces: it was not possible to access any public information, despite requests for access. More information here.

Tierra del Fuego: Covid drivers
Partial data was accessed. The hiring of chauffeurs for a secretariat is striking, due to pandemic reasons. More information here.

Tucumán: 5 years to access the information
No information was obtained regarding any public purchases of pandemic expenditures. There is a case about access to information that the Tucumán Justice has not resolved for five years. More information here.

More information

Authors of the Noise survey

Mariela Arias (Santa Cruz), Marcela Arce (Santiago del Estero), María Ester Romero (Buenos Aires and CABA), Yamile González (Formosa), Gabriela Sánchez (Mendoza), Bárbara Maidana (Chaco and Sante Fe), Cristian Pérez and Juan Manuel González (Córdoba), Gabriel Ramonet (Tierra del Fuego), Luciano Garro (Entre Ríos), Gonzalo Guzmán (Salta Transparente), Luis María Ruiz (Tucumán), Sol Minoldo, Julieta Fantini, Andrés Vázquez, Sergio Carreras and Edgardo Litvinoff.

Learn more about El Ruido

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Access to Information Agency: organizations request a hearing from Alberto Fernández

After the public hearing held last Tuesday, March 23 to discuss the candidacy of Gustavo Fuertes as head of the Access to Information Agency, civil society organizations requested a meeting with the President of the Nation to ask him to propose a ideal candidate at the head of this key body to guarantee transparency in the State.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

Together with ACIJ, Poder Ciudadano, Legislative Directory, Democracia en Red, Vía Libre Foundation and the Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information, we requested an interview with Alberto Fernández in order to express a series of observations about the candidacy -proposed by the Chief of Cabinet, Santiago Cafiero- for the position of Director of the Agency for Access to Public Information (AAIP).

The public hearing that was held on March 23 to discuss the candidacy of lawyer Gustavo Fuertes as head of the AAIP revealed the need for another profile to be proposed for the position. After a series of challenging statements by numerous individuals and civil society organizations and the candidate’s responses to the observations and questions made, it was clear that the candidate lacks the knowledge and track record to demonstrate his suitability and commitment that a charge of this relevance requires.

Faced with this worrying situation, the organizations request to meet urgently with the President of the Nation, trusting that we will be able to state the reasons why a new candidacy must be sent that meets the requirements of suitability and autonomy for the position.

Access the letter

Contact

Nina Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org

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The Chief of Staff must propose another person to direct the Access to Public Information Agency

Joint statement of ACIJ, Democracia en Red, Legislative Directory, Fundeps, Citizen Power, Vía Libre and the Regional Alliance for Free Expression and Information, on the occasion of the conclusion of the hearing in which the set of observations presented in around the candidate proposed by the Executive Power, Gustavo Fuertes.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

On March 23, the public hearing was held to evaluate the candidacy proposed by the Executive Power for the Agency for Access to Public Information, which promotes Attorney Gustavo Fuertes for the position. Contrary to what is established by current regulations, and what should have even happened due to the nature of the position under discussion, the hearing was not broadcast live for the general public, which restricted the number of listeners and access by part of journalists.

The candidate presented some work proposals, but his answers to the questions asked – generally incomplete and limited – showed the lack of specific knowledge regarding access to information and protection of personal data, which corroborates that his professional career in other areas of the public sector do not make him a person qualified for the task that is intended to entrust him. Far from reaffirming that he is the most suitable person for the position, the candidate acknowledged on several occasions the need to study the issues on which he was asked and the existence of people with a greater background in the matter.

The hearing revealed what numerous civil society organizations raised in their challenges: the candidate lacks the knowledge and track record to show his suitability and commitment for the position. Dozens of male and female speakers presented their objections over almost 5 hours. All the people who spoke agreed on the need for another candidacy to be sent to ensure the proper functioning and autonomy of this fundamental body, while no person came forward to argue in favor of the candidacy.

Public hearings must be an instance of substantive participation of the citizens that result in better decision-making by the State. Otherwise, they become a mere formality. It is clear from the results of this hearing that the candidacy of the Executive Power for the position does not meet the requirements of the law.

We ask the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, Santiago Cafiero, to withdraw this candidacy and send that of a person who demonstrates his suitability and commitment to the position, in compliance with articles 20 and 21 of Law 27,275 on the Right of Access to the Public information.

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The 2021 Annual Meeting of Governors of the IDB and IDB Invest was held

Between March 17 and 21, the Annual Meeting of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank was held virtually. Different economic and financial leaders from member countries and the private sector discussed the pandemic and the economic recovery in Latin America and the Caribbean.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

Each year, the IDB holds its Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors in one of the member countries. This year, the Assembly was held in the city of Barranquilla, Colombia, and its agenda was crossed by two central themes: the economic recovery of Latin America and the Caribbean in the face of the crisis caused by the pandemic, and the capitalization of the Bank.

First, the Bank’s president, Mauricio Claver-Carone, affirmed the IDB’s commitment to helping countries recover from the current economic crisis, reaffirming support for the financing needs of governments and assistance for access and negotiation in the purchase of vaccines. Based on this, Claver-Carone is committed to promoting the agenda that the Bank baptized as “Vision 2025”: reinvesting in the Americas, a decade of opportunities ”.

This agenda establishes five areas in which the IDB will focus in our region. These areas are: regional integration, strengthening value chains, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises, promoting the digital economy and prioritizing responses to gender and climate change issues.

On the other hand, Claver-Carone emphasized the work of the IDB Group during 2020, which in response to the COVID-19 emergency, approved loans for almost US $ 24,000 million, both to companies and governments, reaching record levels in the granting of loans. Faced with this, the president referred to the Bank’s capitalization: “I ask you to reinvest in us so that we can decisively reinvest in the region (…) The region will have a committed partner to help countries face these historical challenges and be well equipped with the financial resources necessary to make a big difference ”.

The Assembly then approved a resolution authorizing the work necessary to consider a potential capital increase of around US $ 80 billion. This amount was authorized by the United States Senate and was described by the Bank’s president as “the largest capitalization in its history.” Capitalization is a process that will increase the IDB’s creditworthiness and lending capacity. Through this, the Bank’s capital will be revalued and will allow it to face its need to address the financing problems of the region.

Finally, Claver-Carone referred to the need for the participation of women in the labor market to promote economic growth in Latin America and the Caribbean and made known new contributions for the Amazon region between Colombia and Brazil to promote development sustainable through an environmental approach.

Undoubtedly, this year’s Assembly leaves us with a clear forecast of what the IDB Group will do in our region, crossed by the needs generated by the pandemic, by a new Bank presidency and by new agendas to be implemented, supported by the new capitalization. In this sense, it is worth noting that this capitalization process should be accompanied by a series of necessary internal reforms at the institutional level, which effectively ensure greater transparency and protection of social and environmental rights in projects financed by the Bank or its clients. .

At the same time, the process of citizen participation and relationship with civil society should be strengthened. The way in which spaces such as the Board of Governors are structured and planned, for example, reflect the Bank’s little predisposition to create effective spaces for exchange and dialogue with civil society and affected communities. We hope that these are some of the points to be reviewed by the Bank in view of a possible capitalization.

More information

Author

  • Sofia Armando

Contact

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Statement for the appointment of the Attorney General of Córdoba

A group of more than 30 organizations in Córdoba prepared a letter expressing our concern over the eventual appointment of Juan Manuel Delgado as Attorney General of the province of Córdoba.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

Today the Legislature of Córdoba is voting for the nomination of Juan Manuel Delgado to the position of Attorney General of the province of Córdoba. The position, by Constitutional mandate, is proposed by the provincial executive and must have the agreement of the Legislature.

Last Thursday, March 11, we attended the Public Hearing that was held and presented observations on some aspects that we consider critical. In this sense, we highlight the lack of independence that we consider to exist when nominating a person who is currently serving in the executive branch, as well as the lack of training and experience in criminal matters, human rights, gender and diversities and environmental problems.

Today, more than 30 organizations made public our concerns regarding the appointment of the proposed Prosecutor. Although they take up some of the points raised at the Hearing, this open letter places special emphasis on the threat that we warn regarding the validity of the sexual and (non) reproductive rights that have been achieved, given the candidate’s previous connections and his statements in the Commission. of Constitutional Affairs.

Contact

Nina Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org

Mayca Balaguer, maycabalaguer@fundeps.org

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Public Hearing for the position of Attorney General of the Province of Córdoba

This Thursday we participated in the Public Hearing to discuss the application of the lawyer Juan Manuel Delgado to the position of Attorney General of the Province of Córdoba, convened on 03/04/2021 through the Official Gazette.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

It was carried out after Governor Juan Schiaretti sent to the Unicameral Legislature of Córdoba, through file No. 32245 / P / 21, the formal proposal for the purpose of requesting agreement for the appointment of Juan Manuel Delgado as Attorney General of the province.

Juan Manuel Delgado, is a lawyer, and currently works as Procurator of the Treasury of the Province of Córdoba (since May 2019). In addition, he was Secretary of the Arbitration Court of the Cordoba Stock Exchange (2012/2018), Member of the Board of Directors of the Cordoba Stock Exchange (2019), Secretary of the Stock Exchange (2018), and Director of the Institute of Legal and Business Investigations of the Córdoba Stock Exchange (2017-2019).

On this occasion, we leave raised the following aspects, which we consider extremely worrying: 1) First, the serious impact on the institutional quality of the province with the application to occupy the highest position of the Public Ministry to a person who has just practiced as a lawyer within the executive power, precisely as a Procurator of the Treasury of the Province of Córdoba, which depends on the State Prosecutor’s Office of the province. This strongly undermines the constitutional mandate of independence among the powers of the State; 2) Secondly, and according to the only information available about the applicant’s career, there is an obvious lack of knowledge and experience in criminal matters, the area of ​​main activity of the Attorney General of the province. In addition to this, there is no evidence in the applicant of training and / or background in human rights, environmental law and in the perspective of gender and diversity.

Finally, we leave it exposed that, beyond the training, experience and trajectory in these topics, which we consider of great relevance, we are interested in the applicant showing a commitment to active work in these matters. The Attorney General’s Work Plan, which defines the priorities of criminal policy, must be public to all citizens and must incorporate these issues.

Contact

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Without proper authority in the AAIP, the right of access to public information is in danger

Organizations from all over the country requested an urgent meeting with the Chief of Cabinet of the Nation, Santiago Cafiero, to discuss the selection process of the highest authority of the AAIP – the control body of the Executive Power in matters of access to public information – given that the proposed candidate does not meet the suitability requirements for the position, as a result of the lack of relevant antecedents that demonstrate their knowledge and commitment to this human right.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

On February 17, the Chief of Staff of the Nation proposed as Director of the Agency for Access to Public Information (AAIP) of the Executive Branch the lawyer Gustavo Juan Fuertes, who does not have a track record related to transparency issues, access to public information or protection of personal data –see published CV-.

The Access to Information Agency has a task that is irreplaceable in the protection of this human right, which is in turn essential for a quality democracy in which citizens can know and actively participate in public affairs.

Their roles include not only that of resolving the claims of the petitioners and monitoring the proactive publication of information, but also of ensuring that the best standards are applied in the matter and that a citizen and state practice is stimulated that allows counting with an Open State based on the pillars of transparency, citizen participation and accountability. To this is added that it is the body in charge of protecting personal data and ensuring that the right to privacy is respected in our country.

The proper functioning of the AAIP requires officials with a high commitment in the subject and proven suitability in the matter. Otherwise, there is a risk that lower levels of transparency and openness of information will be tolerated in the hands of all the institutions under the orbit of the Executive Power (centralized, decentralized public administration bodies, State companies, concession companies public services, universities, political parties).

For this reason, and within the framework of the selection process open to citizens, it is important that the authorities are receptive to this type of objection from civil society and provide answers regarding the concerns raised. The Executive Power’s commitment to the right of access to public information must be reflected in the type of profile proposed to occupy this position, otherwise the right to know is at stake.

The organizations signing the petition are: Collective Action – Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ) – Concepción Data – Network Democracy – Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN) – Open Knowledge Foundation – Legislative Directory Foundation – Guest Foundation – Women in Equality Foundation – Nuestra Mendoza Foundation – Foundation for the Study and Research of Women (FEIM) – Fundamentals for Education (FundaEdu) – Foundation for the Development of Sustainable Policies (Fundeps) – Institute for Comparative Studies in Criminal and Social Sciences ( Inecip) – Public Policy Laboratory – PARES – Citizen Power – Our Córdoba Citizen Network – Transparent Salta.

The reception of observations on the proposed candidacy is open until March 15, as well as the registration period for the virtual public hearing -which will be held on March 23 at 9 a.m.- for the appointment of the authority of the AAIP of the Executive power. It is important that citizens participate in these processes, which help to strengthen democracy. Enrollment link

IDB Invest presented a revised version of the Implementation Manual for its Sustainability Policy

Through a virtual session, on February 25, IDB Invest presented the latest revised version of the Implementation Manual for its Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy. The document is key to achieving a correct and effective implementation of the policy approved in April 2020 and which came into effect last December.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

After being approved by the Board of Executive Directors on April 10, 2020, the new IDB Invest Environmental and Social Sustainability Policy came into effect on December 15. The latest revised version of the Implementation Manual for said policy was presented on February 25 through a virtual session in which more than 20 representatives of civil society organizations participated.

The new Implementation Manual is based on the Bank’s Sustainability Framework composed of the Sustainability Policy and the policies and standards that accompany it, such as the Access to Information Policy, the IFC Performance Standards, the MICI Policy, among others. The purpose of this Manual is to guide clients in their actions according to the different factors and environments that may arise, taking into account the principles and requirements of the IDB Invest Sustainability Framework. Also, the Manual addresses, in a general way, the activities that the project cycle contemplates and the accountability mechanisms that people and communities can access in case the project affects them.

On the other hand, it considers the risk factors that may occur or that already occur in the environment where the project is carried out. Among the topics and risk factors mentioned in the Manual are vulnerable groups, human rights, the inclusion and participation of stakeholders in the project, working conditions, among others.

An important advance is the incorporation of the Exclusion List that lists the activities that IDB Invest will not finance due to adverse environmental and social effects.

However, the application of the Manual is not mandatory for clients or the Bank since it constitutes rather a roadmap that contemplates the requirements of the Environmental and Social Sustainability Framework, and international good practices and lessons learned that clients may or may not apply. In addition, although it addresses the options available to the Bank in the event of non-compliance with the Sustainability Policy by its clients, there is little precision regarding the manner and requirements in which these options would be applied.

In this way, it remains to be seen if this manual ends up being really effective in filling the gaps left by the Sustainability Policy in force. Key to this will not only be a strong commitment on the part of the Bank and its clients, but also a work of monitoring and follow-up to the effective implementation of the policy by civil society.

More information

Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

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Open letter to the Government for the National Vaccination Plan against COVID-19

A group of 40 organizations from all over the country prepared a letter sent to different agencies and entities of the National Government expressing our concern about the situation arising from the existence of an informal vaccination system.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

It was addressed to the Undersecretary of Open Government and Digital Country and President of the National Open Government Table, César Gazzo Huck; the Minister of Health, Carla Vizzotti and the Chief of the Cabinet of Ministers, Santiago Cafiero in the face of the political and social upheaval caused by the unofficial vaccination system at the Posadas Hospital.

We make concrete proposals for joint work, within the framework of the principles of Open Government, for transparency and participation. In addition, we reaffirm our willingness to collaborate in everything necessary to bring tranquility to the population and guarantee that support for the most ambitious vaccination campaign in our history remains unchanged.

Contact

Nina Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org

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Fundeps is part of the Alliance for the Framework Convention on Global Health

In 2020, Fundeps began to integrate the Alliance for the Framework Convention on Global Health as an associate member. It is an Alliance formed by individuals and organizations that work together, at various levels, in favor of a Framework Convention on Global Health that guarantees the right to health of all people.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

Confident in the fundamental role that civil society organizations play in promoting rights, for several years we have accompanied global efforts to achieve a Framework Convention that ensures equal standards in the exercise of the human right to health. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed numerous inequalities that aggravated the effects of the pandemic, especially in Latin America. In this new context, there is more than ever the need for an instrument such as the Framework Convention, which allows orienting, catalyzing and establishing standards, processes and mechanisms for health governance.

This year, from the Alliance we propose to promote a conversation that allows us to start developing solutions to prevent future pandemics and guarantee the right to health for everyone, paying attention to the particularities that our region is going through.

Along these lines, a webinar will be held on Thursday, March 4, 2021, on Health Equity in Latin America and the Caribbean. This webinar will explore health equity with a special focus on the region but also with a comparative perspective on the global health landscape. Exhibitors, exhibitors and participants will present and evaluate solutions to the challenges of achieving health equity and health law in the region, including the idea of ​​a Framework Convention on Global Health.

More information

Author

  • Gonzalo Hunicken

Contact

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History not to repeat: in Uruguay the industry managed to accommodate the labeling in its favor

Through a regulatory decree, Uruguay modified the criteria established for the application of warning stamps on food products. With the new resolution, the limits to critical nutrients were relaxed and companies will be able to sell their products with high levels of sodium, sugar and fat, without being reached by the regulations.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

By 2018, Uruguay became the third country in the Americas to adopt the frontal labeling system for food warnings. This public health measure, widely celebrated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), was intended to be part of the response to malnutrition that affects 34% of Uruguayan children of school age. For its part, Decree 272/2018, within its clauses, granted companies an adaptation period of 18 months, enough time for the food industry to accommodate the political scenario in its favor. Thus, the entry into force and inspection of the measure was only set for March 1, 2020.

However, when the time came, the implementation of Decree 272 was not a priority. After many twists and turns, the government approved another decree (246/020) which not only extended the effective date of mandatory labeling to February 2021, but also established important variations to the original rule.

In Uruguay, the strategies used by the industry were the same as those used in other countries where front labeling was also discussed (Peru, Chile, Mexico and currently Argentina). The dilation of times, the sponsorship of specialists for the dissemination of biased research, as well as the denial and proposal of alternatives without scientific basis, are part of their best-known tactics that seek to protect only their economic interests.

Thus, far from being the Ministry of Public Health the one that proposed and announced modifications based on scientific evidence free of conflict of interest, the one in charge of doing so was the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining. Hence, it is not surprising to observe that the changes made by the government have revolved around the PAHO nutrient profile system, giving rise to a more flexible and friendly regulation with the food industry, and in evident damage to public health .

In this way, food companies in Uruguay today have the possibility of selling as stamp-free products those that contain 20% more sodium (from 400 to 500mg), 30% more sugars (from 10 to 13g) , 45% more saturated fat (9 to 13g) and 50% more total fat (4 to 6g), in portions of 100 grams or 100 milliliters.

For this reason, according to a statement from the Civil Society Alliance for the control of Non-Communicable Diseases, “the main products benefiting from this flexibility will be those with excess sugars and fats, in particular dairy products and desserts. , which are often advertised as healthy and with which the Food Industry carries out an aggressive marketing strategy, aimed at boys and girls. This (vulnerable) population will be the main recipient of these changes, given that many of these products will no longer have the label despite continuing to be just as harmful to their health ”.

In a critical context of the increase in Noncommunicable Diseases, the complicity of the Uruguayan government with the interests of the industry is not understood. According to PAHO statistics, Uruguay is among the Latin American countries that registered the highest increase in the consumption of ultra-processed products between 2000 and 2013, translating into an increase of 146%.

Given that the consumption of these products with excesses, are the main contributors to the generation of these diseases, it becomes necessary the existence and application of public policies that effectively protect the right to health of the population, especially those groups in a situation vulnerability, as are children and adolescents. Likewise, the importance of ensuring that public health policy-making processes are free of conflict of interest and industry interference is highlighted. Well, these must be based on the best available scientific evidence and not on the economic interests of a particular sector.

From Fundeps and SANAR, we join the claims of Civil Society Organizations that require the Uruguayan government to implement a frontal food labeling that protects and guarantees the right of access to information by consumers, as well as the right to health of Uruguayans.

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Fundeps was elected to be part of the National Open Government Roundtable

Last November 2020, from the collective of civil society organizations for the Open State in Argentina, we held the elections to renew the representations of civil society within the National Open Government Roundtable.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

What is the National Open Government Roundtable?

The National Open Government Roundtable was created in 2018 as a space for coordination between the national government and civil society in the promotion of open government public policies, as well as in the actions to be implemented by Argentina in its participation in the Alliance for the Open Government. It is made up of four government representations and four civil society representations.

Government participations are decided from the ownership of the area that has specific powers on open government, which is currently the Undersecretariat of Open Government and Digital Country. From the government they take their place within the National Open Government Table: the Undersecretariat of Open Government and Digital Country, the Secretariat for Political Affairs, the Anti-Corruption Office and the Agency for Access to Public Information.

On the part of civil society, its representatives are elected by vote of the civil society collective that currently make up the Network of Civil Society Organizations for an Open State in Argentina. In the last elections, Fundeps was elected together with the organizations Democracia en Red, Acción Colectiva, and Fundación Hupedes.

At Fundeps we feel great satisfaction to be able to participate in this space, at the same time that we assume this challenge with great responsibility. We hope to contribute, together with the excellent organizations that accompany us, in the development and implementation of more and better open government policies, strengthening the quality of Democrats at the national and sub-national levels, in tune with regional processes and with a human rights perspective.

More information:

Contact: 

Nina Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org