,

Mobilization to reject the highway in Punilla

On May 20, we accompanied the Argentina Fair, Eco Casa, Córdoba Environment Assembly, Córdoba Environmental Forum and Córdoba Climate Forum in a call to demand the sanction of the Punilla highway project. The complaint was made within the framework of the last day of the project’s public hearing.

“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 result of the public hearings held via the web was overwhelming. 90% of those who participated will express their rejection. Among some of the fundamentals, it is worth mentioning the one that shows that the project crosses 16 water courses, affecting the water bodies of any water dependent on access to drinking water in the communities. Likewise, if it indicates that it involves the affectation of 172 hectares of native forest -red category-, negatively impacting the functions of the ecosystems and the fauna that inhabits there.

In addition, the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure was carried out with notorious deficiencies, affecting citizen participation, a fundamental requirement to grant any authorization. In addition, in the face of this scenario of rejection by the communities, the national State issued Decree No. 295/2021 on May 3, through which it approves its approval for the construction of the highway. This is less problematic, as the Environmental Impact Assessment process is in the middle of the development process.

The EIA process must consider and review all observations. The rejection of the road was the driver of the exhibitions that were held in the public hearing, and must be evaluated at the time of issuing an administrative act. It is not possible to grant an environmental license due to a social license.

Photo: Tomás Medina

More information

Contact

Juan Bautista López, juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org

Advances and stagnations in the rights of LGBTIQA + people: towards material equality

May 17 corresponds to the date on which the World Health Organization removed (31 years ago, in 1990) homosexuality from the list of mental illnesses. That is why on this day the “International Day for the Fight against Discrimination due to Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity” is celebrated and particularly in the province of Córdoba the “Provincial Day for Equality and Non-Discrimination due to Sexual Orientation, Identity and Gender Expression ”. These advances are accompanied by laws that demonstrate achievements but also obstacles in their implementation.

“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”

May 17 is a fundamental day to make visible and raise awareness about the multiple violence suffered by LGBTIQ + people.

By virtue of the incorporation of international human rights treaties into our constitution, eradicating discrimination based on gender is a duty assumed by the State and also a commitment by all of us who want to live in a more just and equitable society.

There are various tools to eradicate violence, one of them is the formation and creation of laws, which imply the recognition of rights. Among them we can name Law 26,485 on Comprehensive Protection to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Violence; the 26,743 of gender identity; Law 26,150 on comprehensive sexual education; among other. Despite its recognition, in law there are two fundamental concepts: on the one hand, formal equality, and on the other, material equality. The first corresponds to what we have been talking about, the recognition and promotion of equal rights written in the law, but the second is the opposite. That is, it allows us to identify if what is written is reflected in everyday life and these rights are specified, generating real equality, or if they are simply statements narrated on paper.

According to updated data from Amnesty International, people who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or intersex, or are perceived as such, are at greater risk of being harassed and victims of violence because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. The life expectancy of the transvestite-trans population in Argentina is 35 to 41 years. In this sense, it is important to remember the case of Tehuel De La Torre, a trans boy who disappeared on March 11 of this year, when he left his home for a job interview. To this day Tehuel does not appear, there are few clues about his whereabouts since the last people who saw him alive do not provide information, and it is a case that does not have enough repercussion and dissemination in the hegemonic media. The Tehuel case highlights the reality of the country’s trans population: the situation of extreme vulnerability and exposure to multiple gender-based violence.

Among the discriminations that people suffer due to their sexual orientation or gender identity there are homophobia, lesbophobia and transphobia, which are irrational hatred towards people whose sexual orientation is different from heterosexuality and / or their gender identity does not matches your biological sex. An example of this is the rejection that was generated by a sector of Cordoba society towards the LGBTIQA + flag that was hung by the Municipality of the capital in Sarmiento Park. On that occasion, there were clear reactions of violence and hate mobilizations against him, even reaching the fact that on several occasions the flag was removed, including acts of physical violence against LGBTIQA + people.

The aforementioned regulations suffer some difficulties at the time of their implementation due to the resistance of conservative groups that hinder the development of this policy in society. Whether through legal litigation, media campaigns, legislative lobbies, and particularly resistance in teaching spaces such as schools. These sites are important institutions for socialization and learning, where issues of promoting equality and non-discrimination must be addressed early.

What has been said so far, makes it clear that despite having rights recognized in various laws (formal equality), even so, people continue to suffer multiple violence because of their sexual orientation and / or gender orientation (material equality) when they do not conform to the heterocisnorm. Therefore, the need for a comprehensive plan to eradicate violence is evident. The enactment of a law is not enough, but comprehensive public policies are required that provide true responses to the problem and a profound cultural change.

,

The province of Córdoba adhered to the Yolanda Law

Today the provincial Legislature approved the adhesion project to the Yolanda Law for comprehensive environmental training, with a perspective of sustainable development and with special emphasis on climate change for people who work in public functions.

“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”

With the incorporation of certain particular regulations, the province of Córdoba sanctioned the regulations by which it adheres to National Law No. 27,592, called Yolanda Law in honor of Yolanda Ortiz, who was the first Secretary of Natural Resources and Human Environment of the Argentinian republic.

This law will oblige people who exercise public functions in the provincial State to be trained in the environment, with a perspective of sustainable development and with special emphasis on climate change. The Cordovan text incorporates issues of particular regional interest, numbered in an enunciative way, such as native forest, climate change, environmental law, urban solid waste management, environmental impact of public policies, preservation of protected areas and water resources, among others.

Likewise, fortunately, the enforcement authority is established in the same body of the law, with the Environment Secretariat being in charge of its application. In addition, it seeks to guarantee public access to information regarding the degree of compliance with the law, as well as granting the enforcement authority the power to enter into agreements with universities, scientific institutions, civil society organizations and other entities to ensure compliance with the standard.

Despite the fact that the regulations could have been superseded in relation to the National Law regarding the formation of a mixed application authority that incorporates the Ministry of Education, as well as the incorporation of a means of complaint or claim that allows the citizens contribute to the inspection process, we celebrate the provincial adherence to this important tool for environmental protection.

Contact

Juan Bautista López, juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org

,

Access to Information Agency: The Executive must present a new proposal to designate its authority

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”

We celebrate that, after the public hearing in which the public was able to express themselves regarding the candidacy of Gustavo Fuertes to lead the AAIP, the Executive Power has not made progress in appointing him. Once the deadline with which he had to confirm said proposal has expired, it is now necessary that spaces for open discussion be urgently generated regarding the new profile that the Head of Cabinet should promote, to fill the vacancy in the Agency through a participatory process.

On March 23, the public hearing was held in which the candidacy of the lawyer Gustavo Fuertes was discussed to occupy the position of Director of the Access to Public Information Agency, which has been vacant since January 1, 2021. The hearing represented an opportunity for different people and civil society organizations to detail the numerous observations on the candidacy proposed by the Executive Power, which coincided in the lack of suitability and guarantees of autonomy of the candidate.

After this participatory instance, the Executive Power decided not to finally confirm the Strong’s nomination to the position. As indicated in Law 27,275 in its article 21 subsection f, the Chief of Staff had a period of seven days from the holding of the hearing to approve the appointment. After this period, then, the Executive Power must restart the selection process from the proposal of a new person to occupy the position.

The decision to listen to the arguments offered by different civil society organizations and individuals in an instance designed so that citizens can participate in relevant public decisions, and thereby review an official proposal, is a very valuable step in the construction of a democracy. deliberative in which reasons matter. For this reason, the fact that the Executive Power has desisted from advancing in a decision that was questioned with highly relevant arguments as a result of the impacts that it could have on the validity of the human right to access public information, should be highlighted.

This position, which has been vacant for more than four months, is fundamental to the democratic system. In the first place, because it has the role of ensuring full transparency of all institutions and identities under the orbit of the Executive Power (which is achieved by centralized and decentralized public administration bodies, public companies and with state participation, public service concessionaires , State contractors, among others). In turn, it has among its functions to ensure the protection of the right to privacy and the full application of the Law on Protection of Personal Data. Both functions, due to their implications in the exercise of other rights, cannot be postponed for any reason, even less in an emergency context such as the current one.

For all these reasons, it is urgent that the Executive Branch send a new candidacy for the position in accordance with the standards of suitability and autonomy set forth in Argentine regulations and international law. This implies, among other antecedents, that the person has extensive experience in access to public information and protection of personal data, in such a way that his commitment to the effectiveness of these human rights can be corroborated. For this, it is desirable that open instances be generated to discuss the profile required for the person who is proposed, and that this result in the prompt appointment of a new authority and the consequent normalization of the operation of the Access Agency. Public Information.

,

We have done observations on the Projects of provincial adhesion to the Yolanda Law

Within the framework of said treatment, the Environment Commission has held a number of open meetings with certain civil society organizations and people dedicated to the defense of the environment, in order to hear their opinion. Although the call to these people was not open to those who wanted to make their opinions known, the truth is that a new mechanism of citizen participation was generated, perhaps limited by the time that the agenda demands.

“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 process is a good practice to be carried out. However, today with the entry into force of the Escazú Agreement, such spaces already constitute an obligation of the provincial State and not only the exercise of political good will. Adequate publicity and convocation, as well as the organization and distribution of time, fostering broad participation, must be considered in pursuit of a true environmental democracy.

In the framework of the participatory process, we refer to the Environmental Commission of the provincial Legislature, which we consider are necessary adjustments for a regulation that exceeds the national one. Thus, observations were made regarding the way in which an enforcement authority should be designed in accordance with the objectives of the law, the process of creating and evaluating training programs and content for people who exercise public functions, as well as also the introduction of complaint or claim mechanisms that allow citizens to effectively monitor and control compliance with environmental training.

We believe that a provincial regulation can be surpassed, if it incorporates mechanisms aimed at guaranteeing greater participation both in its gestation stage and in the monitoring and implementation processes.

More information

The Chamber of Deputies approved the Yolanda Law

Contact

Juan Bautista López, juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org

,

The Deliberative Council of Córdoba would prohibit the display of ultra-processed products in checkout lines

The Deliberative Council of Córdoba would approve this Thursday a project that prohibits the display of ultra-processed products online from supermarket, hypermarkets and drug stores.

“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 initiative, presented by Juan Pablo Quinteros – neighborhood meeting – and Nicolás Piloni – officialism – establishes the incorporation of a sanction to who “exhibits merchandise that are classified by the competent municipal authority as” ultra-processed products “, in supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies with long hours of operation and self-service format, within a radius of 3 (three) meters from the cash register or any other collection area located for this purpose.

Some years ago, excess malnutrition was described as a problem in developed countries. Today this scenario has radically changed and the epidemic has spread at alarming speed in low- and middle-income countries.

The underlying causes of overnutrition, diseases related to excessive food intake, and nutritional imbalance are complex and multidimensional. Food is the product of a set of social, economic and cultural factors that are influenced by the availability, cost and variety of food, along with custom, beliefs and information accessed on eating habits, among others. In this framework, advertising plays a central role, influencing the preferences and eating habits of the population. There is clear evidence about the influence of unhealthy food advertising on the types of foods that children prefer, order and consume. In general, these are ultra-processed products with a high content of sugar, fat or salt.

When we refer to advertising, not only traditional forms, mass media and social networks are included; but also, and very especially in the case of food, the advertising that appears on the packaging, package or container of the product, since it is also conceived with the intention of awakening in the future acquirer the desire to access the good. It is there where the display of the product takes on special relevance.

The alarming figures on excess malnutrition highlight the need for states to adopt measures to avoid excessive and unbalanced food consumption. The design and implementation of public policies that favor the creation of healthy environments is essential. The Argentine State, according to its constitutional precepts and international human rights treaties, is in charge of three types of obligations, these are: to respect, protect and guarantee the right to health and the right to adequate food. In this specific issue, the obligation to protect is the most relevant insofar as it requires active action by the State to regulate the conduct of third parties that, through their activity, may affect the fundamental rights of the population.

In this sense, the World Health Organization (WHO) and other international organizations have published in recent years, numerous documents that, based on scientific evidence free of conflict of interest, establish a set of measures to regulate the environments and products, in order to promote healthy habits and thus stop the growth of excess malnutrition. Among the measures are: the frontal labeling of warnings, fiscal measures, the promotion of a healthy school environment and the restriction of advertising, including the display of products as part of it.

That is why we urge this Deliberative Council to take a step forward in restricting the display of ultra-processed products in the vicinity of checkout counters in supermarkets, hypermarkets and pharmacies. Through a measure such as this, the State will be protecting the rights of consumers, and especially, ensuring the health of boys and girls.

Image source: @nutricionistasderionegro

Contact

  • Maga Merlo Vijarra, magamerlov@fundeps.org
  • Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org
,

Negotiations between Argentina and China continue for the construction of Atucha III

Argentina and China are advancing in the negotiations for the construction of Atucha III, the fourth nuclear power plant in our country, with Chinese technology and financing. US officials expressed their concern to the President of the Nation on a recent visit.

The Ambassador of Argentina in China, Sabino Vaca Narvaja, the Secretary of Energy of the Nation, Darío Martinez, and the director of Nucleoeléctrica Argentina, Isidro Baschar, held, on April 6, a meeting with the directors of the National Agency for Energía de China (NEA) and the China Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), in which they agreed to boost negotiations for the construction of the fourth nuclear power plant in Argentina.

The representatives of Argentina and China reviewed the status of the negotiations for the construction of the nuclear power plant in our country with Chinese technology. In addition, they explored the possibility of expanding the bilateral link in other areas of cooperation, such as the Argentine export of services and components for Chinese nuclear projects and the life extension of nuclear power plants in China.

The Secretary of Energy, Darío Martinez, affirmed that “the project of the IV Nuclear Power Plant has the full support of the President of the Nation and is on the list of priority projects between both countries.” Likewise, Sabino Vaca Narvaja explained that “Argentina has a highly developed platform in the nuclear sector with its own developments and a unique scientific base in the region. Achieving our fourth nuclear power plant, in addition to expanding our energy sovereignty, will place us at the forefront of a sector with historical development in our country ”.

For his part, the Deputy Director of the Department of Nuclear Energy of NEA, Qin Zhijun, stressed the importance of nuclear energy in the Chinese development strategy, in particular, considering the need to have a diversified energy matrix, as well as the importance of nuclear energy in the fight against climate change.

Worry in Washington

On April 14, two high-ranking officials of the United States government arrived in Argentina. The Director for the Western Hemisphere of the National Security Council, Juan Gonzalez, and the Acting Undersecretary of the State Department for Western Hemisphere Affairs, Julie Chung, shared a lunch with the President of the Nation, Alberto Fernandez at Quinta de Olivos . Also, in the evening, they shared a dinner with the President of the National Chamber of Deputies, Sergio Massa.

Joe Biden’s government officials asked the Argentine government for “prudence” in relation to China. Likewise, they expressed their concern about the project for the construction of the Atucha III nuclear power plant, with financing and technology from China.

The concern on the part of the United States in the construction of the nuclear power plant with technology and financing from China reflects that Argentina is not exempt from the current political dynamics characterized by competition between the two giants.

Atucha III, the fourth nuclear power plant in the country

The construction of this project is scheduled to be located at the Atucha Nuclear Complex, located in Lima, Zárate district, about 100 km from the City of Buenos Aires. In this same complex are the Atucha I and II nuclear power plants.

According to Nucleoeléctrica Argentina S.A, the negotiations contemplate that the reactor to be built in the new plant is a Hualong HPR1000 Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) of Chinese origin. How do these reactors work? Basically they use enriched uranium as a source of heat (thermal energy), which is transported by high pressure water to a steam generator, which in turn converts that water into steam that drives an electricity generating turbine. This is the type of reactor most used in the world for electricity generation.

With regard to risks, NASA assures that “the safety levels of the Hualong reactor are significantly high and the risks of delay during construction are reduced.”

This new plant would be capable of generating 1200 MWe of gross energy. To put this in perspective, the Atucha I, Atucha II and Embalse reactors generate 362 MWe, 745 MWe and 656 MWe respectively.

Given the characteristics of the project in question, the type of energy to be used, the controversy regarding the technology to be used and its impact on the external positioning of the Argentine Republic in a context of dispute between the United States and China, from Fundeps we propose the need to that the national State faces the negotiation process in a transparent way and provides a broad framework for debate within Argentine society regarding the project and the use of atomic energy.

More information
Authors
  • Mariano Camoletto
  • Andres Paratz
Contact

Gonzalo Roza, gon.roza@fundeps.org

,

The day of the animal in Argentina

On April 29, the day of the animal was celebrated in Argentina, in tribute to Ignacio Lucas Albarracin, a lawyer from Córdoba who from the Society for the Protection of Animals, safeguarded their rights and promoted the first Animal Protection Law in the country.

The current context of environmental and climate crisis requires animal protection as a fundamental component of the different ecosystems from a comprehensive perspective. The degradation of native forests, rivers, wetlands and other biomes, necessarily affects the different species that inhabit them and that fulfill important ecosystem functions.

In addition to the animal impact caused by environmental degradation, today there are production, consumption and scientific development systems that base their practices on the use of certain non-human species. These apply devious methods that cause great suffering in the animal body. There are also certain practices or traditions that by their very nature are built on animal suffering.

The anthropocentric vision – the human being as the center of all things – seems to be the foundation of such practices, since it has placed the human being at the top of the pyramid of species and the non-human animals subordinate to their own satisfaction. Threat is the model of appropriation of nature that the human species has conceived.

In this regard, there are production and consumption alternatives that promote the adoption of sustainable and non-cruel habits for animals. An example of this is agroecology, whose practices are based on an interrelation aimed at avoiding unnecessary suffering of the species, under the application of certain practices that free the animal from pain, hunger, fear, discomfort and allow it to express its normal behavior.

Finally, some States recognize animals and ecosystems the status of subjects of non-human rights, guaranteeing them a certain degree of legal protection. Legal cases such as that of the Chimpanzee Cecilia in Mendoza or the orangutan Sandra in Buenos Aires, have opened in our country this line of recognition of rights to non-human entities.

Undoubtedly, Animal Day raises awareness about the importance of the respect and care they deserve, of protecting endangered species or promoting learning about their role as part of the environment. It is also an opportunity to generate questions about the way in which society relates to other species, putting in tension given structures and conceptions, in order to guarantee the integrity of those who make up nature as a whole.

Authors

  • Débora Sabrina Neck
  • Quimey Comba
  • Lucrecia Busso

Contact

Juan Bautista López, juanbautistalopez@fundeps.org

,

We participated in a discussion with the new MICI director, Andrea Repetto

On April 27, we participated in a discussion with civil society organized by the Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (MICI) of the IDB, on the occasion of the recent inauguration of its new director, Andrea Repetto. Civil society organizations, individuals and people from the public and academic sectors from different countries participated. One of the main points of discussion revolved around the evaluation of the Mechanism’s operation recently carried out by the Office of Evaluation and Oversight (OVE) of the IDB Group.

“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 Independent Consultation and Investigation Mechanism (MICI) was established in 2010 as an instance of last resort so that people who consider themselves affected by projects financed by the IDB Group can turn to the mechanism in search of a solution. In this regard, it should be noted that the complaints submitted must relate to non-compliance with the bank’s operating policies and not to other national and / or international regulations.

At the beginning of the discussion, the new director introduced herself personally, conducted a review of the most outstanding events of 2020 and indicated what the priorities of the mechanism will be during 2021.

Case management in times of COVID-19 and management priorities during 2021

In 2020, the MICI took actions to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic on claims management. Managed a total of 21 claims from communities potentially affected by projects financed by the IDB Group in 9 countries: 17 claims refer to IDB projects with the public sector and four to IDB Invest operations with the private sector. In addition, the MICI began, for the first time, a completely remote dispute resolution process in Colombia (Ruta del Cacao).

Similarly, with the recent assumption of Repetto as director, 2 priority areas were identified during 2021: on the one hand, the opening of the mechanism, seeking to make it more accessible to the communities that need it and, on the other, institutional learning, with The objective of adding more value to the IDB Group and reinforcing its accountability and sustainability.

OVE’s evaluation of the MICI

OVE carried out a first evaluation of the MICI in 2012 and identified significant problems in terms of its policy, structure and operation, recommending ending the pilot phase of the MICI and reformulating its policy and structure. Thus, in December 2014, the Bank’s Board of Directors approved a new policy and structure for the mechanism and, since the beginning of 2016, the MICI is also responsible for managing requests related to IDB Invest operations, that is, the private sector.

In the following evaluation (2015-2020), 19 cases were analyzed (between December 2014 – June 2020) and it was concluded that the MICI, in general, is operating in accordance with the principles established in its policy: independence, objectivity, impartiality, transparency and efficiency and that the current policy corrected important issues identified by OVE in its 2012 evaluation as limiting the proper functioning of the MICI. Similarly, there was greater consistency between the policy, the guidelines developed, and the associated processes. OVE also highlighted the consolidation of capacities in conflict resolution within the MICI.

However, there is still room for the MICI to deepen its efforts to maximize its contribution to the IDB Group’s system of safeguards and environmental and social standards.

A key issue that remained pending is judicial exclusion, which continues to be an important factor limiting the effective and efficient functioning of the MICI.

OVE also found that some requirements to access the mechanism are difficult for applicants to meet, such as the need to present their concerns to management before resorting to the MICI. In this regard, it should be mentioned that the difficulty of complying with the requirement of prior contact with the administration had to do, to a large extent, with the lack of a complaints management system within the IDB Group during the period under evaluation (2015 -2020) and one of the OVE evaluation recommendations points towards that goal.

Promotion of access and risk of retaliation

OVE indicated that the mechanism is not yet well known despite the important efforts of the MICI to make it known, including important work in the area of ​​attention to the risk of retaliation that has important implications for safe access to the mechanism. Nor is it clear that at the institutional level there is consensus on the importance of publicizing the mechanism and how to achieve it. Not a minor issue, since access to the MICI depends on the knowledge that people have about the existence of the mechanism.

Finally, another point that the evaluation indicates that should be strengthened is the independence of the mechanism, a fundamental issue since the credibility of the mechanism depends on its ability to work independently. Although the MICI is an arm of the Board of Directors, its added value depends on the extent to which it can present you with frank and honest reports on complaints associated with IDB Group projects.

Based on these and other observations, OVE made 5 recommendations, directed both to the MICI and to the administration and the Boards of the IDB Group. These include: 1) implementing the management system for environmental and social claims of the IDB Group’s administration so that it is articulated with the MICI, 2) nullifying the judicial exclusion, 3) reinforcing the independence of the MICI, 4) ensuring the adoption of corrective measures when there are findings of non-compliance with the policies and related damages and, finally, 5) strengthen the internal capacities of the MICI.

One might wonder, however, if the limitations of the current policy can be remedied by incorporating OVE’s recommendations or if these limitations, on the contrary, necessitate a new comprehensive review of the policy, a measure that OVE has ruled out in its evaluation.

At Fundeps, we believe that this type of instance is essential to exchange opinions and positions in relation to how the Mechanism could be even more efficient and effective in its interventions to the problems that arise in our region. Likewise, we consider that a strengthening of the mechanism translates into an improvement in the accountability system of the IDB Group as a whole.

We hope that these instances will continue to be repeated over time and we celebrate that the MICI is willing to receive feedback from those who position themselves as users of the mechanism, being able to glimpse the shortcomings that the processes may have.

More information
Author
  • Camila Victoria Bocco
Contact
,

We call on organizations to participate in open government instances

The Government of Córdoba was selected to participate in OGP Local, a global pilot that seeks to implement an Open Government Action Plan through the co-creation of public policies with various stakeholders.

“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 objective proposed by the province of Córdoba is to deepen the provincial work in the field of open government to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) from a joint effort with different municipalities in the province. In this way, it is proposed to work towards accompanying the local governments of Córdoba in the development of a collaborative territorialization of the SDGs, with a gender and youth perspective.

From the province, the process is led by the Secretariat for Institutional Strengthening of the Ministry of Coordination, the Córdoba Joven Agency and the Córdoba Ministry of Women also joined. From Fundeps and PARES we are accompanying the process of co-creation of said Plan and we call on other actors of civil society in the province to join in promoting this process of co-creation with the province of Córdoba.

If you are a civil society organization, a group or space that works on open government, gender or youth issues and you want to be part of the process of building a Local Open Government Plan, complete this form.

More information

Contact

,

What is happening with the labeling law?

On October 29, 2020, the Chamber of Senators gave a half sanction to the bill for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, with 64 positive votes and 3 negative. From then on, the Chamber of Deputies had the duty to promote the corresponding legislative treatment until it was approved. However, the procedure to date has undergone a series of back and forth that jeopardizes its approval.

“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 intense complaints from civil society organizations for the lack of initiative from the Chamber of Deputies, an information meeting was held within the framework of the special sessions on February 23 of this year. There, referents from the industry sector, as well as representatives of consumer and health organizations, shared information and presented their position on the various regulations and measures that make up the regulations in question. However, the deadlines were not sufficient for deputies to manage to implement it. The parliamentary debate on the bill should have been postponed.

At the same time, almost surprisingly, the National Executive Power broke into the ambit of the National Food Commission (CONAL) and Mercosur with the presentation of another proposal regarding the frontal nutritional labeling of foods. This proposal has the particularity of being friendlier and more flexible with the food industry inasmuch as it not only modifies the nutrient profile system (that is, the values ​​from which it is possible to consider an edible high in sugars, sodium, fat or calories), but also excludes the entire set of other measures that are also part of the current bill. These include regulations for school environments and issues related to advertising.

Faced with this scenario, the demands of civil society were once again necessary for the Chamber of Deputies to resume and promote the treatment of the bill for the Promotion of Healthy Eating. Thus, on April 6 and already within the framework of its ordinary sessions, the fourth information session took place. On this occasion, Fundeps, together with other organizations, highlighted the strengths that the current bill presents in the field of health protection, the need to maintain its parliamentary treatment and the urgency in which the bill is approved without modifications.

Why is it important that it be through the National Congress and not through CONAL?

The proposal promoted by the National Executive Power in CONAL and Mercosur implies a relaxation of the protection standards in health matters. In this sense, it presents important differences with the bill.

One of them is the one concerning the graphic system. The bill establishes that non-alcoholic packaged foods and beverages must include a warning stamp with the legend “excess in” on the main face of the packaging. However, the resolution presented by the Executive proposes its modification to “stop in”. This is not minor or coincidental, if one takes into account that the available scientific evidence indicates that the expression “high in” does not generate the alert that is expected in consumers, and consequently the effectiveness of the policy may be diminished. If an edible design contains excessive amounts of critical ingredients, this circumstance should be expressed as clearly and simply as possible.

A second difference is given by the nutrient profile adopted. This would no longer be that of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), but another much more lax one that would make products reached by warning seals according to the PAHO nutrient profile, be offered in the market as free of black octagons . The best scientific evidence available to date and, above all, free of conflicts of interest, shows that the OPS profile allows identifying the products that, beyond the size of the portion considered, tend to unbalance the diets of the people and, consequently, negatively impact their health.

A third difference is that the Executive’s presentation, by limiting itself only to food labeling, leaves key points of the bill unregulated, such as school environments, issues concerning advertising, claims regulations, and seals of endorsement, etc. The bill that is under treatment in the Chamber of Deputies is characterized by being a comprehensive regulation that seeks to penetrate much deeper, as it would allow us to improve our environments, making them healthier and safer spaces. This takes on greater relevance if one seeks to protect the well-being and health of children and adolescents, who, since they are in a stage of training and development, require special protection from the State.

Finally, it remains to add that if the Executive’s proposal continues its course until it is approved by CONAL or Mercosur, the voice of the society represented in the National Congress would be disregarded. This body, established as the highest bastion of popular will, has a constitutional duty to legislate and promote measures that guarantee the full enjoyment and exercise of the rights recognized by the Constitution and international human rights treaties. Likewise, it should be noted that the legislative body is the one that allows more participatory work and greater control by citizens. Unlike what happens in CONAL, whose mode of operation is more hermetic, and where citizens have greater difficulties in accessing what is deliberated and resolved there.

It must be said that the current bill is not only based on the best available scientific evidence free of conflicts of interest, but has also been the result of long processes of discussion and consensus between different political parties. These circumstances allow this type of policy to be conceived as a State policy, giving it more strength, greater legitimacy and more possibilities that it can be sustained over time.

It took many years to accomplish this very important step. Today, the conditions are in place for Argentina to have the best law. The high prevalence of chronic non-communicable diseases, which currently affects the population, requires a policy that more comprehensively addresses public health problems.

In this sense, the draft Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating is a necessary measure to protect the constitutional rights to health, adequate food and the rights of consumers. That is why, we ask our deputies to unite their wills so that the project passes quickly to an opinion and that it finally becomes a law without modifications.

Author

Maga Merlo Vijarra

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org

,

International Day of Peasant Struggle

On April 17, the International Day of Peasant Struggle was celebrated, commemorating the murder of 19 peasants who demanded their access to land and justice in 1966 in El Dorado dos Carajá, Brazil. Crime that still goes unpunished.

Access to land continues to be one of the main conflicts facing the peasantry today. The dispute is based on the struggle for access, control and reconfiguration of the territory that includes soil, water, air, biodiversity, communities, etc. In our region, the main reason that has triggered it is the advance of agribusiness, characterized by being in the hands of a small number of national and transnational companies that are articulated through the sale and appropriation of land, transgenic seeds, pesticides, machinery , until its effective commercialization (in the hands of monopolies).

The dominant production model in our country, based on the “green revolution”, is based on a destructive, decontextualized way of producing and not linked to the pre-existing communities, nature and customs of the region where it takes place. Proof of this are the innumerable environmental and social liabilities that it generates through the excessive use of agrochemicals, the indiscriminate felling of trees, the contamination of surface waters and water sources, the immoderate use of fossil fuels, the increasing emission of greenhouse gases. , the impoverishment of soils, the extermination of biodiversity and the consequent production of food lacking in nutrients.

As a result of the serious consequences that it produces both in health and in the environment, over the years, different resistances to this form of production have been developed. An example of this is Ramona Orellano de Bustamante, a symbol of struggle for peasants and peasants, who for more than 15 years has resisted in the north of the province of Cordoba in defense of its territory, facing economic power, agribusiness, and power. judicial system, and the system that has systematically violated it.

Agroecology is thus presented as an alternative to agribusiness, developed by the peasantry, peasant families and indigenous peoples. This other way of producing is not considered only as a method of cultivating healthy food of nutritional quality, but also as a movement with social, cultural and political goals whose principle is respect for Mother Earth. It also revalues ​​the peasant status, helps to build independence from unfavorable markets, favoring local, sustainable and resilient development in the face of climate change.

Despite all the benefits that agroecology presents, and the need to promote family, peasant and indigenous agriculture, and if it is regulated both at the national and provincial level (National Law of Family, Peasant and Indigenous Agriculture and Law of Good Agricultural Practices de Córdoba), there are currently no real public policies that value and promote it. For these reasons, a true political will is necessary to address the urgency of an agrarian reform, which leads us towards a more sustainable agriculture, which produces quality food and with well-paid farmers recognized for their service to society. Undoubtedly, it is a pending debt and there is still a long way to go, so it is important that the fight is vindicated and made visible on April 17.

Authors

  • Ananda Lavayen
  • Maria Laura Carrizo

Contact