This document summarizes the good practices of the Latin American countries that have incorporated front-facing food labeling into their regulations. A brief summary of the result of the analysis of the regulations of all these countries will be presented, and a clear comparison will be provided. on every aspect of those standards.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship is coordinating the process of preparing a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. What are the progress so far and the next steps?
“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 are the National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights?
The National Action Plans on Business and Human Rights (PNAEDH) are transversal public policies whose objective is to address the obligation of the State to protect, respect and enforce human rights with respect to the negative consequences of business activities. Through these plans, governments seek to commit to the implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGP), as well as other business and human rights and Responsible Business Conduct (CER) standards.
The PNAEDH contribute to achieving greater coherence and coordination between the different regulatory frameworks and public policies with an impact on the issue of business and human rights, and contribute to the detection of obstacles and gaps. This makes it possible to establish priorities and commitments for action. Given its transversal and collaborative nature, its preparation requires the representative, broad and plural participation of multiple actors: State agencies, civil society organizations, academia, companies, business and worker organizations, indigenous peoples and potentially affected communities. , among others.
First steps
Argentina, based on recommendations received in the framework of the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council, assumed the commitment to prepare an Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, a fact that took place in view of its re-election to the Human Rights Council Human Rights on October 14, 2021. For the coordination and leadership of the process of elaboration of the Plan, the Human Rights Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship of the Nation (MRECIC) was appointed.
Regarding the actions carried out, one of the first steps consisted in the preparation of a Roadmap, which was validated internally by the MRECIC. Next, according to official sources, a mapping of interest groups and agencies with an impact on the matter was carried out and the initiatives and policies, in the process of execution in the country, with some proximity to the matter of companies and human rights and , Responsible Business Conduct to identify possible alliances within the Government.
Priority areas of the Action Plan and preparation of the National Baseline
The Human Rights Directorate commissioned the National Ombudsman’s Office to prepare the National Baseline (LNB) that will serve as a central input for the design of the First Action Plan on Businesses and Human Rights in Argentina. The LNB is a study that allows evaluating the level of implementation of the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights within a State. It is a preliminary diagnosis for the preparation of the Plan and generates the information required for subsequent planning by the person who formulates the public policy.
The National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights will include 11 thematic axes:
- Labor standards (child labor, forced labor, human trafficking, health and safety conditions, freedom of association);
- Gender equality (salary parity, access to hierarchical positions, harassment and violence in the world of work, care tasks, reconciliation of work and family life, etc.);
- Diversity and non-discrimination;
- Environment (environmental protection, participation and access to environmental public information, environmental impact assessment; climate change; energy transition);
- Companies and policies of Memory, Truth and Justice;
- Rights of consumers and users;
- Corporate governance (due diligence and remediation in companies – political commitments of companies on issues of human rights and good governance, business policies and international standards of business and human rights, sustainability reporting, risk management);
- Technology, personal data and privacy;
- Access to information and public participation in general;
- Promotion of the human rights of groups in situations of vulnerability and/or historically discriminated against (persons with disabilities, migrants, Afro-descendants, boys, girls and adolescents, LGBTIQ+ people, older people, people deprived of their liberty, indigenous peoples, defenders or others) and,
- Public Governance (ethics, integrity, transparency, access to information, anti-corruption, public procurement, management of public companies).
A participatory process
The process of elaboration of the National Base Line must be participatory and offer the possibility that the different parties related to the subject, as well as those people who have an interest, can collaborate. Within this framework, at the beginning of November 2022, in response to an invitation received, we sent inputs and recommendations on five of the aforementioned thematic axes: Environment, Rights of consumers and users, Corporate governance: due diligence and remediation in companies, Access to information and public participation in general, and Public Governance.
We also participated virtually in the first meeting with civil society and academia, organized by the National Ombudsman’s Office, for the preparation of the National Base Line for the National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights. Likewise, in the month of September, we were at the multi-stakeholder discussion table, organized by the CERALC project in Buenos Aires, in which the challenges, opportunities and prospects for advancing due diligence for responsible business conduct in Argentina were discussed. . It is worth mentioning that, from the beginning of the development of the PNAEDH, the Directorate has the support and technical advice of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) within the framework of the CERALC Project.
Next steps
According to the work calendar estimated by the national government, the process of elaboration of the Plan is divided into 4 main stages, each one of them with specific activities. The first is the preparation of the National Baseline. Then, as a second instance, capacity building for key actors. As a third stage, the drafting and approval of the PNAEDH is estimated, from January to March 2023. Finally, the publication of the PNAEDH is expected, approximately in June 2023.
Activities and estimated dates
- Participatory spaces coordinated by the Ombudsman’s Office – September to October 2022
- Preparation of the National Baseline by the National Ombudsman’s Office – July to November 2022
- Trainings – October to November 2022
- Drafting of PAN – January to March 2023
- Consultations based on the draft PAN – March to May 2023
- Presentation and publication of PAN – June 2023
Source: https://www.cancilleria.gob.ar/userfiles/recursos/plan-de-trabajo.pdf
The implementation of the business and human rights agenda represents an opportunity to which all stakeholders are called to contribute. It is time for an urgent, deep and real discussion that increases the chances that this global debate will be taken seriously, and evaluated from the perspective of public policies so that a very sober and voluntary National Action Plan is not their single destination.
More information
- National Business and Human Rights Plan | Ministry of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship
- Workplan
- United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs)
- Responsible Business Conduct Project in Latin America and the Caribbean – Office of the united nations high commissioner for human rights
- Why Argentina still does not have a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights? – Fundeps
- When the discourse is diluted: human rights and transnational companies – El Entramado
- Argentina: Government presents National Human Rights Plan and announces Action Plan on business and human rights – Business & Human Rights Resource Center
Authors
Camila Victoria Bocco
Camila Busso
Contact
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
*Photo taken from the official website of the Argentine Foreign Ministry
On November 20, the Board of Governors of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) appointed Brazilian candidate Ilan Goldfajn, former president of the Central Bank of Brazil and current director for the Western Hemisphere of the IMF, as its new president. After withdrawing the candidacy of Cecilia Todesca, the government of Alberto Fernández supported the candidate promoted by Brazil.
“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 September 26, following the recommendations of the Board of Executive Directors, the Board of Governors of the IDB announced the termination of the executive functions of Mauricio Claver-Carone. After the announcement, and through an official statement, the selection process of the person in charge of the next presidency of the institution began.
The Board of Governors, the IDB’s highest authority, is made up of representatives of the 48 member countries, whose voting power varies according to the capital that the country subscribes to the institution. According to the organization’s press release, “to be elected, the candidate must obtain a majority of the voting power of the IDB member countries, as well as the support of at least 15 of the 28 regional member countries.”
In this way, the candidate must consecrate himself with the majority of the voting power of the member countries to be elected. Voting power fluctuates according to the number of shares owned by each state. The largest investor is the United States, which with 30% of the total funds has a key role in the election. They are followed by Argentina and Brazil, with 11.3% each. Mexico accounts for almost 7.3%, Japan 5%, Canada 4%, Venezuela 3.4% and Chile and Colombia 3.1%. The rest is divided into small percentages from different countries.
The new president of the Bank will assume his functions for a period of five years with the possibility of being re-elected only once, and will be responsible for managing the daily affairs of the Bank, as well as managing its operations together with the Presidential Office. The president also formulates proposals on the Bank’s general policy and presides over the meetings of the Board of Directors, being able to vote only in case of a tie.
The alliances behind the election
The new president-elect was consecrated with 80.8% of the votes, and was proposed by the government of Jair Bolsonaro in view of a candidate who would bring consensus to the region after turbulent periods for the Bank, following the dismissal of the former president Mauricio Claver-Carone for violations of the code of ethics. In this way, and thanks to the support of the United States, Canada, and at the last minute from Argentina, Ilan Goldfajn managed to position himself as the new president of the IDB.
It is worth noting the late support of Alberto Fernandez to back the candidacy of the Brazilian; despite his intention to position Cecilia Todesca Bocco as the first woman and the first Argentine to preside over the IDB. However, as a result of the change in its position and the support for Goldfajn, Argentina managed to keep three positions: the Vice Presidency of Sectors, the Infrastructure Management, and a new Institute of Gender and Equality, which will be part of the new management of the IDB.
With annual loans of around 14,000 million dollars, the IDB is the largest source of financing in the region and the change of leadership is essential for the institution to refocus its attention on Latin America after two years of a US presidency.
Prior to the appointment of Goldfajn, from Fundeps and together with a group of civil society organizations in the region, we present an open letter in which we urge those who make up the Board of Governors of the IDB to ensure a transparent selection process and urge the Bank to ensure that the designated person has:
- Knowledge of the region and experience working with its institutions and communities.
- Commitment to human rights, sustainable development and the work of human rights defenders.
- Comprehensive experience and vision on sustainability and environmental protection.
- Commitment and openness to include civil society and communities affected by the projects.
- That it prioritize the discussion for the development of a framework for reparation to the affected communities.
- Lead by example and act in accordance with the highest ethical standards.
- Commitment to regional and international agreements and treaties that address climate change, the protection of biodiversity, the defense of human rights and sustainable development.
It remains to be seen if Goldfajn, in the course of his tenure, manages to live up to and meet at least part of these requirements. In any case, we believe that a historic opportunity has been wasted to finally position a woman in the presidency of the Bank, a pending account of this type of multilateral institutions. Beyond the progress made by the IDB in generating job opportunities for women and their number in management positions, it is estimated that 3 out of 14 seats on the executive boards are occupied by women; in the alternate executive directorates, out of 12 chairs, only one is occupied by a woman. What gives rise to the claim to this type of organizations to promote specific spaces for participation for women and dissidence in the most hierarchical positions, which allow breaking the glass ceiling.
More information:
- Declaración sobre la presidencia del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo – BID
- Ilan Goldfajn fue elegido nuevo presidente del BID con el apoyo de la Argentina, que retiró la candidatura de Cecilia Todesca – La Nación
- Open letter to the IDB for the election of a new presidency – Fundeps
- IDB: the president was dismissed and the possibility opens for a Latin American woman – Fundeps
- ¿Dónde están las mujeres en las Instituciones Financieras Internacionales? – El Entramado
Authors:
Candela Jauregui
Clara Labat
Contact:
Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org
Climate change is the main challenge and threat in the 21st century. From Fundeps we carried out a survey and analysis of the climatic phenomena that occurred in Córdoba between 2000 and 2020, the results obtained are truly alarming. The authorities must urgently advance in the design of public policies tending to prevent and face the climate crisis.
“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”.
Climate change affects the general population without differentiating, however people who are in a situation of vulnerability, for example, people living in poverty, children and adolescents, people with disabilities, women and gender diversity, are affected in a differentiated way, deepening the existing structural inequalities.
From Fundeps we carry out the comprehensive collection and analysis of the various climatic phenomena that occurred between 2000 and 2020 in the province of Córdoba. From this diagnosis we were able to identify that climatic phenomena are cyclical and that year after year they deepen. Climate change is usually perceived as something abstract and distant, contrary to this general perception, it shows how concrete, close and how serious the effects of the phenomenon are. It also makes it possible to decipher the line of (in)action drawn from the State. Fires, tornadoes, floods, droughts, hail storms, and heat waves are some of the phenomena we suffer and that worsen year after year and also have severe consequences for the communities. These must be addressed as part of a comprehensive phenomenon and not as isolated and belated problems.
There are certain policies in the province aimed at promoting sustainable practices. However, these are not actions aimed at significantly mitigating the causes, nor adaptation to the consequences of climate change. Given the occurrence of these phenomena, the responses by the State are always late, inefficient or from a contingency perspective.
We believe that if Córdoba wants to face the climate crisis in a responsible way, it must propose urgent participatory strategies in the medium-long term. To do this, it must take into account the cumulative effects of this achievement of erratic behavior phenomena, guaranteeing access to basic elements for survival, such as water and quality food.
In addition, it is necessary and urgent to concentrate efforts on the design and implementation of public policies that start from an adequate identification of the conditions of structural vulnerability from which some sectors of society start. State actions should focus on reducing/eliminating these structural conditions. On that equitable basis, mitigation and adaptation actions must be designed.
The Climate Response Plan required by Law 27520 on Minimum Budgets for Adaptation and Mitigation to Global Climate Change, emerges as a fundamental instrument to respond to the phenomenon. Remember that according to art. 20 , each province must design this “response plan” that contains information on greenhouse gases, vulnerability and adaptation capacity of communities, goals regarding gas mitigation and adaptation measures, roadmap for each measure to adopt, among other components. The compliance period, according to the regulations, would expire on December 18, 2023, although it may be submitted earlier.
The diagnosis made allows us to affirm that climate change in Córdoba is not a distant threat, but rather a daily experience that will worsen if adequate measures are not adopted.
- Download diagnosis
- Download summary
Contact
Laura Carrizo, lauracarrizo@fundeps.org
This summary reflects the main data collected and systematized from the realization of a diagnosis of climatic phenomena in the Province of Córdoba between the years 2000 and 2020.
The present work aims to reveal the climatic phenomena that occurred throughout the years 2000 to 2020 in the province of Córdoba and based on this, make visible the local reality and the serious impacts of climate change year after year, as well as public policies existing to date.
Last Thursday, November 24, we held a Working Group on Budget and Rights, together with the Civil Association for Equality and Justice (ACIJ), the Observatory of Labor, Economy and Society (OTES) and the accompaniment of the Federal Institute of Government (IFG) of the Catholic University 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”.
The activity was carried out in continuity with a series of virtual meetings that we held in August of this year, where conceptual issues of the public budget, the gender perspective within the budget, and some examples both in the national budget and in that of the province of Córdoba.
In the Working Group on Budget and Rights, the proposal was rather practical and was divided into two stages. A first exhibition, in which OTES commented on some of its reports and main findings after analyzing the budgets of the province of Córdoba, in recent years. From ACIJ and Fundeps we share where the main budget information is located in the province, to give rise to the second moment of the meeting for budget analysis by the attendees.
So, according to thematic affinities, we divided into groups and based on some triggering slogans, we navigated through the web portals of the province of Córdoba where budget information is found and we proceeded to analyze some policies or programs of interest. In this sense, there were groups on the environment, health, education, housing, disability and gender. At the end, we shared the findings in full and different exchanges were generated about the information that is available, the need to incorporate other elements and indicators when carrying out this type of analysis, among others.
This Table took place a week before the 2023 Budget Public Hearing will be held in Córdoba in the Legislature, which is why at the end we share the information on how to participate in it. It is essential that these spaces for participation are promoted and how to attend is clearly and accessible disseminated, with the aim of diversifying the voices in this space and democratizing the debate around a key element for the guarantee of our rights.
Thank you ACIJ for inviting us to be part of this initiative and we hope to continue generating spaces for dialogue, debate and research around the different public budgets that are dictated at the different levels of government.
More information
Contact
Maria Victoria Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org
Last Thursday, November 17, we held a meeting on the current management of food programs for school canteens in the provinces of Mendoza, Córdoba, Salta, Tucumán, and Buenos Aires. Special emphasis was placed on food purchasing systems and on the need to guarantee the effective application of Law No. 27,642 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating (PAS) within the framework of school assistance programs in each of these provinces. The event was organized by Fundeps, Nuestra Mendoza, Andhes, Salta Transparente, the Center for the Implementation of Constitutional Rights (CIDC) and also had the support of SANAR.
“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”.
In addition to representatives of the aforementioned civil society organizations, the following participated in the meeting: Claudia Oliva and Victoria Lo Valvo, General Director of the Comprehensive Assistance Program of Córdoba (P.A.I.Cor) and Director of Legal Affairs of the General Directorate of Purchases of Córdoba ; Franco Pullido and Gabriel Sciola, Director of School Feeding of Mendoza and Undersecretary of Administration of the General Directorate of Schools of Mendoza and Matías Molina, General Director of Monitoring of Procurement of Goods and Services of the province of Salta.
At first, through a participatory dynamic, the different representations and social images linked to chronic non-communicable diseases and, specifically, malnutrition due to excess and the commonly known “law of labeling” were addressed. Then the different components of said law were described and, finally, the provisions related to public purchases for school canteens were studied in depth.
It was highlighted that, when dealing with purchases for educational establishments, they should guarantee that products with black seals did not enter the schools, whether they were already packaged products or the ingredients used to prepare the food. This, given that products with at least one seal or precautionary legend cannot be offered, marketed, promoted, advertised or sponsored within schools, by virtue of article 12 of the PAS law.
In a second moment, the floor was given to each of the leading people from the provinces, authorities in the event that they were present or from NGOs, so that they could comment on how the management of the food programs was in each one of them, how Food purchases were decided, with what nutritional criteria, if this information was accessible to the public, all with the aim of identifying some common points and windows of opportunities for the effective application of the PAS law.
By way of conclusion, each attendee identified opportunities, challenges and possibilities for articulation between civil society and the State agencies involved.
Authors
Maria Victoria Sibilla
Maga Merlo
Contact
Maria Victoria Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org
The use we make of language is always loaded with meaning. Therefore, it becomes a tool to recognize the rights of identities that have been historically invisible.
Our starting point is to understand that what is not named does not exist, that is, it sustains oppressive power relations that reproduce inequalities and injustices. Therefore, when we refer to exclusive linguistic uses, we want to explain how the use of the masculine gender in a neutral way limits what can be said.
The following document includes concepts and recommendations on linguistic use, with the aim of promoting inclusion and trying to overcome the totalizing character of the masculine and the binary of conventional language.
Given the opening of a new election process for the presidency of the IDB group, civil society organizations in the region and communities affected by projects, we sent an open letter with recommendations on the profile of who will preside over the Bank.
“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”.
In the letter we urge those who make up the Board of Governors of the IDB to take advantage of this opportunity so that the person who is selected is someone with probity, capable of leading the transformations that the institution requires today and of effectively facing the emergencies and environmental and social challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Likewise, we consider that the job description must be clear, the selection process transparent, and we urge the Bank that the person who is selected have:
- Knowledge of the region and experience working with its institutions and communities. Commitment to human rights, sustainable development and the work of human rights defenders.
- Comprehensive experience and vision on sustainability and environmental protection. Commitment and openness to include civil society and communities affected by the projects.
- That it prioritize the discussion for the development of a framework for reparation to the affected communities. Lead by example and act in accordance with the highest ethical standards.
- Commitment to regional and international agreements and treaties that address climate change, the protection of biodiversity, the defense of human rights and sustainable development.
The election is scheduled for November 20, with voting power varying according to the number of shares held by each member country. The person who is finally appointed to the presidency of the IDB Group has the opportunity to lead a Bank that is stronger, more responsible, more effective and, above all, closer to the peoples of the region, leading the way towards truly sustainable and inclusive development.
- Open Letter from Civil Society groups regarding the election process of the future president of the IDB Group.
Contact
Gonzalo Roza – gon.roza@fundeps.org
Together with the ECOS Foundation, we have prepared a guide with fundamental contents to carry out comprehensive, careful and safe care for the Voluntary and Legal Interruption of Pregnancy (IVE/ILE).
“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”.
This guide is intended for people who work in the health field and are part of the care and attention processes, from receiving the consultation, direct participation in the practice and subsequent care. It is also a useful material for those who are in the process of professional training in areas related to health.
The guide contains an accessible development of the legal framework and key aspects to understand the scope of Law 27610 and other regulations to which it refers. Describes the rights of users and the responsibilities of health personnel.
Next, it proposes a comprehensive care model for the practice, so that all the people involved in it can offer a quality service that is respectful of human rights, from the consultation, during the care and after the interruption of pregnancy. It introduces the types of recommended treatments and develops the medical and administrative aspects to be taken into account when carrying out the practice. Finally, it has a series of updated references and resources for consultation.
We hope that this material will be useful and serve as a basis for all health personnel involved in the care of pregnancy interruption, from the first contact with the person who consults and to the subsequent care, to be able to carry out their work of The best way.
Contact
Mayca Balaguer – maycabalaguer@fundeps.org
The objective of this guide is to provide health personnel with fundamental content to carry out careful follow-up and guarantee safe practices of Voluntary and Legal Interruption of Pregnancy (IVE/ILE). We intend to address legal aspects and based on current legislation, international standards and the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO). From the Foundation for the Development of Sustainable Policies (Fundeps) and the ECOS Foundation we hope that it will be useful and consultation to carry out their daily work.