As part of the regional consultations, case studies from local CSOs are presented and discussed. See below for summaries of the case studies during the consultation in Latin America.

Latin America Consultation

Role of Research in Reforming the Electoral System in Santa Fe, Argentina
This case study from CIPPEC - Center for the Implementation of Public Policies Promoting Equity and Growth (Argentina), explains the leading role played by CSOs and other institutions in the reform of an electoral system in the province of Santa Fe, called 'ley de lemas'. It details the process that led to the abolition of an electoral system which was not supported by the majority of the Argentinean people and its replacement by an alternative one, based on a consensus that emerged from research produced and disseminated by academics and CSOs, facilitated by CIPPEC. The strategy included participatory diagnosis, the promotion of public debate, and specific advocacy strategies such as achieving the signature of commitment letters by main candidates for governorship. While upcoming elections worked as a window of opportunity for the process of influence, the relevance of the proposals was increased by academic support for the research, as well as the institutional presence of CSOs at legislative committees. Participation of various stakeholders and media exposure throughout the project were key to maintaining interest in the debate. The credibility of the recommendations was enhanced because the proposals reflected a social demand and were articulated in short and concise documents. It was agreed that the reform could only be made by the Legislature and therefore politicians were included in the process from the beginning.

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Environmental Law in Bolivia
This case study presented and discussed during the group work at the Bolivian consultation emphasises the application of environmental law and explains how social mobilisation can be based on evidence to strengthen its impact on policy. This specific case was an oil spill that contaminated 190km caused by a rupture in the Sica Sica-Arica oil pipeline, controlled and managed by the Transredes - an international company. The oil pipeline was fractured due to flooding at Rio Desaguadero but Transredes, the company responsible, did not promptly manage the rupture. The CSOs from Oruro, with the support of some NGOs, generated international support for subsequent research to analyse the impact of oil spill. These CSOs wanted the implementation of the Environmental Law - a law that had never been applied, and a strong communication campaign was launched to publicise the spill and its impact. The mobilisation of civil society, united in relation to the complaints, was a central element in this case. Eventually, the Bolivian Ministry of Sustainable Development authorised environmental audits and Transredes was found responsible and was forced to pay the indemnities.

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