Making Democracy Work Better
The values and
practices of democracy are fundamental to the advancement of all
hemispheric objectives. The maintenance and strengthening of the
rule of law and strict respect for the democratic system are a
shared hemispheric goal and commitment, and constitute a central
political priority of the Summits of the Americas Process.
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Mar del Plata, Argentina, 2005
IV Summit of the Americas |
The theme of the
Fourth Summit of the Americas,
held in Mar del Plata, Argentina November 4-5, 2005, “Creating
Jobs to Fight Poverty and Strengthen Democratic Governance”
demonstrates that the Leaders of the Western Hemisphere remain
dedicated to making democracy work better for their nations.
In the
Declaration of Mar del Plata,
Heads of State and Government expressed the need to deepen
democracy and consolidate freedom in the Americas in
accordance with the Inter-American Democratic Charter. They
committed to expand, strengthen and defend democracy by
promoting social well-being, equitable distribution of growth
benefits, an increase in the standard of living, the
elimination of hunger, creating employment and encouraging
entrepreneurship. Leaders concurred that promoting literacy
through the provision of quality public education will help to
ensure a democratic citizenry. They also recognized that in
order for democracy to prosper, governments must provide their
people with the tools and opportunities they need to improve
their lives.
In the Declaration of Mar del Plata, Heads of State and
Government agreed that a representative democracy is necessary
for stability, peace and development in the region. They noted
that the participatory nature of democracy in public life
contributes to the consolidation of democratic values and
freedom for all in the Hemisphere. Leaders also expressed
their encouragement for an increase in civil society
participation in the democratic process and recognized that
the promotion and protection of human rights is essential to
the functioning of democratic societies. Moreover, it was
stated that democratic governance should hold respect for the
rule of law and behave in a stable, transparent, effective,
inclusive and accountable manner.
In the Fourth Summit of the Americas
Plan of Action,
Heads of State and Government recognized the interconnection
between democratic governance and economic and social
development in their countries. They also reaffirmed their
commitment to abide by the recommendations set forth in the
Declaration of Florida, “Delivering the Benefits of
Democracy”.
In the Declaration and Plan of Action it was recognized that
fighting corruption is a key aspect to strengthening democracy
and promoting economic growth. In the Plan of Action, member
states are called upon to identify by December 2006
cooperative initiatives and exchange of experiences to develop
the technical skills needed to implement the Inter-American
Convention Against Corruption and to strengthen the
implementation of the Follow-up Mechanism. In the Declaration,
Leaders also stressed the importance of oversight by the
legislatures to fight corruption and encouraged
inter-parliamentary exchanges to develop national and
international strategies to fight corruption.
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Monterrey, Mexico, 2004
Special Summit of the Americas |
Since democratic governance was one of the three central
themes of the
Special Summit of
the Americas that took place on
Monterrey, Mexico on January 12-13,
2004, the Declaration of Nuevo Leon presents a
point of reference to understanding the advances and
challenges related to democracy. This declaration reaffirms
the commitment by the Heads of State and Government to define
an Agenda for Good Governance in the Hemisphere, first agreed
upon in the Declaration of Santiago on Democracy and Public
Trust, adopted at the OAS General Assembly in June 2003.
In the Declaration of Nuevo Leon, the Heads of State and
Government reaffirmed their political will to fight
corruption, committing to strengthen the follow-up mechanism
of the Inter-American Convention against Corruption, and
intensify their efforts to combat unethical practices in the
public and private sectors. They also committed to promote
transparency in political processes, in public financial
management, and in government transactions, procurement
processes, and contracts. The leaders of the Americas
highlighted the value of the United Nations Convention against
Corruption and encouraged its promotion and its ratification.
They underscored the importance of rules to ensure the
transparency of party finances, to prevent corruption and the
risk of undue influence, and they agreed to increase
transparency in the international organizations of which they
are members, by strengthening their accountability mechanisms.
Leader also committed to deny safe
haven to corrupt officials, to those who corrupt them, and
their assets; and to cooperate in their extradition as well as
in the recovery and return of the proceeds of corruption to
their legitimate owners.
The Heads of State and Government of the Americas reiterated
their commitment with the complete application of the
Inter-American Democratic Charter. The leaders also
supported the strengthening of democratic institutions,
particularly political parties, which constitute an
essential element for democracy. Furthermore, democracy and
good governance are strengthened through: dialogue among all
sectors of society; a culture of democracy and development
based on pluralism; a commitment to intensify efforts to
fight against corruption and other unethical practices
within public and private institutions; and the
modernization of the State, Social Justice and the
reduction of poverty.
Moreover, other themes of equal importance analyzed by the
leaders of the region included the
promotion of
transparency in political processes, in public financial
management, and in government transactions, as well as
procurement processes, and contracts; they also reaffirmed
their commitment to improve mechanisms of mutual legal
assistance. In addition, another basic concept that was
emphasized was the
participation of civil
society,
channeled through citizen participation, as a basic partner in
the design, execution, and evaluation of public policies
driven by the different levels of government.
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Quebec City, Canada, 2001
Third Summit of the Americas |
At
the Quebec City Summit, the focus of democratic development
was even more comprehensive than the two previous Summits and
considered five separate themes:
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Electoral Processes and
Procedures,
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Transparency
and Good Governance,
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Media
and Communications,
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Fight
against Corruption and
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Empowering
Local Governments.
These
five areas recognize the importance of effective and efficient
government institutions and good governance and encourage
access of individuals to existing and emerging information. Moreover, governments agree that corruption, if not
fought, gravely threatens democratic political institutions.
Also, the participation of citizens, especially at the local
level, is the foundation of a democratic culture.
One
of the most important outcomes of the Quebec City Summit was
the initiative to prepare the Inter-American
Democratic Charter to reinforce the active defense of representative
democracy in the hemisphere. The Charter was subsequently
approved in Lima, Peru, on September 11, 2002.
More information on this achievement from the Third
Summit of the Americas can be found by clicking here.
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Santiago,
Chile, 1998
Second Summit of the Americas |
While the main theme of the Santiago
Summit was education, democracy was also given due
consideration within the frameworks of education and the
respect for human rights.
For instance, the Santiago
Plan of Action mandated that the
objectives and contents for developing a democratic culture be
included within education programs.
In the area of Democracy and Human Rights, governments
agreed to, among other things, guarantee that all individuals
receive full respect for their constitutional and other legal
rights and work to eliminate discrimination from their
respective national legislation.
They also agreed to promote the signature, ratification
and accession to international human rights instruments.
In Santiago, governments committed, as well, to
regulate the financial of electoral processes and strengthen
the role of local and sub-national governments within each
country.
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Miami,
Florida, USA, 1994
First
Summit of the Americas |
At the
Miami Summit of the
Americas, significant
steps were made to encourage exchanges of technologies,
experiences and best practices among national electoral
organizations and member states' democratic institutions.
Governments also decided to strengthen dialogue among
social groups and promote grass roots participation to create
change at the local level. Furthermore, the Unit for the Promotion of Democracy was
strengthened to provide assistance, upon request, to states on such
matters as legislative and judicial processes, government reforms, and
other institutional changes.
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Fourth Summit of the Americas, Mar del Plata, Argentina 2005 |
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Plan of Action
on
Democracy
IV Summit
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Mar del Plata Plan
of Action |
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Transparency and Good Governance |
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IV. STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE:
B. HEMISPHERIC COOPERATION
66. To cooperate with solidarity with the Haitian people in their
efforts to revitalize the democratic institutions, fight poverty,
and foster equitable socio-economic development, including, the
creation of decent work through, among others, greater support
from the international financial institutions and cooperation
agencies, and implement disarmament, demobilization, and
reinsertion programs (DDR), with the support of MINUSTAH and the
Special Mission of the OAS for the Strengthening of Democracy in
Haiti.
C.
INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
67. Recognizing the interconnection between democratic governance
and the economic and social development of our peoples and the
theme of the Mar del Plata Summit, we request the political bodies
and the General Secretariat of the OAS to continue to advance in
the effective implementation of the Declaration of Florida,
“Delivering the Benefits of Democracy.”
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Fight against Corruption |
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IV. STRENGTHEN DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE:
B. HEMISPHERIC COOPERATION
66. To identify, before December 2006, specific initiatives for
cooperation, and the exchange of experiences in the development of
technical skills in our countries that contribute to the full
application of the provisions of the Inter-American Convention
Against Corruption, and the strengthening of its Implementation
Follow-up Mechanism (MESICIC), giving special consideration to the
recommendations to that effect arising from the first round of
said Mechanism.
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Declaration of Mar del Plata |
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Transparency and Good Governance |
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1. Convinced of the necessity to deepen democracy and consolidate
freedom in the Americas, in accordance with the principles
contained in the Charter of the Organization of American States
and the Inter-American Democratic Charter and their full
application as the foundation of the hemispheric community, we,
the Heads of State and Government of the democratic countries of
the Americas, gathered in the city of Mar del Plata, Argentina, on
the occasion of our Fourth Summit, reaffirm our commitment to
fight poverty, inequality, hunger, and social exclusion in order
to raise the standard of living of our peoples and strengthen
democratic governance in the America
2.
Taking into account the International Labour Organization (ILO)
Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work (1998),
and the commitment to promoting, strengthening, and defending
democracy in the OAS Charter and the Inter-American Democratic
Charter, we will promote social well-being, an equitable
distribution of the benefits of economic growth, an increase in
hemispheric standards of living, the elimination of hunger and the
attainment of food security, the creation of new employment
opportunities, and the promotion of entrepreneurship.
Training the Labor Force
43. We will strive for quality public education at all levels and
promote literacy to ensure a democratic citizenry, foster decent
work, fight poverty, and achieve greater social inclusion.
Strengthening Democratic Governance
57. We reiterate our commitment to the OAS Charter and the
Inter-American Democratic Charter and we reaffirm our resolve to
strengthen their full and effective implementation.
58.
We are convinced that representative
democracy is an indispensable condition for the stability, peace,
and development of the region[1].
We recognize that for democracy to prosper, governments must be
responsive to the legitimate aspirations of their people and work
to provide their people with the tools and opportunities to
improve their lives.
59. In
this sense, we endorse the commitments undertaken in the
Declaration of Florida adopted at the thirty-fifth regular session
of OAS General Assembly held in June 2005. Likewise, we take note
of the importance of what was agreed by the participants of the
Community of Democracies at their Third Ministerial Meeting, held
in Santiago, in April 2005.
60. We reaffirm that the participatory nature of democracy in our
countries in different aspects of public life contributes to the
consolidation of democratic values and to freedom and solidarity
in the Hemisphere.
62. Increased participation by citizens, communities, and civil
society will contribute to ensuring that the benefits of democracy
are shared by society as a whole.
63. We recognize that the universal promotion and protection of
human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and
cultural rights on the basis of the principles of universality,
indivisibility, and interdependence, as well as respect for
international law, including international humanitarian law,
international human rights law, and international refugee law are
essential to the functioning of democratic societies.
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Fight against Corruption |
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Strengthening Democratic Governance
66. Fighting corruption is a key aspect of strengthening
democracy and economic growth. For this reason, we call
upon states to implement the Inter-American Convention
against Corruption and participate fully in the Follow-up
Mechanism for the Implementation of the Inter-American
Convention against Corruption. We stress the importance of
the oversight role of legislatures, as appropriate, in the
fight against corruption and the importance of promoting
inter-parliamentary exchanges to encourage the development
of national and international strategies to fight against
corruption.
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Mar del
Plata Plan of Action (complete version): English
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Português
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Français
Declaration of Mar del Plata (complete version):
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Español |
Português
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Français |
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Third Summit of the Americas,
Quebec City, Canada 2001
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Plan of Action
on
Democracy
III Summit |
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Electoral Processes and Procedures |
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Recognizing the relationship among
democracy, sustainable development, the separation of powers, as
well as effective and efficient government institutions, and,
noting that the transparency and accountability of electoral
systems and the independence of bodies responsible for the conduct
and verification of free, fair and regular elections are essential
elements in ensuring support for and involvement in national
democratic institutions:
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Share best practices and
technologies with respect to increasing citizen
participation in electoral processes, including voter
education, the modernization and simplification of voter
registration and the voting and counting process, while
taking into account the need to safeguard the integrity of
the electoral process and promoting the full participation
and integration of all persons eligible to exercise the
right to vote, without discrimination;
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Continue to enhance electoral
mechanisms, using information and communications
technologies where possible, to effectively guarantee the
impartiality, promptness and independent action of agencies,
tribunals or other bodies responsible for the conduct,
supervision and verification of elections at national and
sub-national levels, and strengthen and facilitate, with the
support of the Organization of American States (OAS) and
other regional and international organizations, hemispheric
cooperation and exchange of legislative and technological
experiences in these areas, and the deployment of election
observers when so requested;
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Convene under the auspices of
the OAS, and with the collaboration of the Inter-American
Development Bank (IDB), meetings of experts to examine in
more depth issues such as: political party registration,
access of political parties to funding and to the media,
campaign financing, oversight and dissemination of election
results and relations of political parties with other
sectors of society;
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Transparency and Good Governance |
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Recognizing that good governance
requires effective, representative, transparent and accountable
government institutions at all levels, public participation,
effective checks and balances, and the separation of powers, as
well as noting the role of information and communications
technologies in achieving these aims:
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Promote cooperation among
national agencies in the Hemisphere charged with the
development and maintenance of procedures and practices for
the preparation, presentation, auditing and oversight of
public accounts, with technical assistance where appropriate
from multilateral organizations and multilateral development
banks (MDBs), and support exchanges of information on
oversight activities related to the collection, allocation
and expenditure of public funds;
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Encourage cooperation and
exchange of experiences and parliamentary best practices
between national legislators of the Hemisphere, while
respecting the separation and balance of powers, through
bilateral, subregional and hemispheric vehicles such as the
Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas (FIPA);
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Work jointly to facilitate
cooperation among national institutions with the
responsibility to guarantee the protection, promotion and
respect of human rights, and access to and freedom of
information, with the aim of developing best practices to
improve the administration of information held by
governments on individuals and facilitating citizen access
to that information;
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Create and implement programs
with the technical and financial support, where appropriate,
of multilateral organizations and MDBs, to facilitate public
participation and transparency, using information and
communications technologies where applicable, in
decision-making processes and in the delivery of government
services, and to publish information within time-limits
established by national legislation at all levels of
government;
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Media and Communications |
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Nothing that access to existing and
emerging information and communications technologies has an
increasingly significant impact on the lives of individuals and
offers important opportunities for democratic development, and
that the media has an important role to play in promoting a
democratic culture:
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Ensure the media is free from
arbitrary interventions by the state, and specifically, work
to remove legal or regulatory impediments to media access by
registered political parties including by facilitating,
where possible, equitable access during election campaigns
to television and radio;
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Encourage cooperation among
public and private broadcasters, including cable operators,
and independent broadcast regulatory bodies and governmental
organizations, in order to facilitate the exchange of best
industry practices and technologies at the hemispheric
level, to guarantee free, open and independent media;
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Encourage media
self-regulation efforts, including norms of ethical conduct,
to address the concerns of civil society with regard to,
inter alia, reducing the dissemination of extreme violence
and negative stereotypes of women and ethnic, social and
other groups, contributing in this way to the promotion of
changes in attitudes and cultural patterns through the
projection of pluralistic, balanced and non-discriminatory
images;
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Fight against Corruption |
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Recognizing that corruption gravely affects democratic
political institutions and the private sector, weakens economic
growth and jeopardizes the basic needs and interests of a
country’s most underprivileged groups, and that the prevention and
control of these problems are the responsibility of government as
well as legislative and judicial institutions:
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Consider signing and ratifying,
ratifying, or acceding to, as soon as possible and as the
case may be, the
Inter-American Convention Against Corruption,
in accordance with their respective legal frameworks, and
promote effective implementation of the Convention by
means of, inter alia, the
Inter-American Program for Cooperation in the Fight
Against Corruption and
associated technical cooperation programs and activities,
including those of relevant multilateral organizations and
MDBs, in the area of good governance and in the fight
against corruption, as well as programs which each country
designs and implements in accordance with national laws,
by its own appropriate bodies that may require assistance;
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Support the establishment as soon as
possible, taking into consideration the recommendation of
the OAS, of a follow-up mechanism for the implementation
of the
Inter-American Convention Against Corruption
by States Parties to this
instrument;
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Support strengthening the Inter-American Network of
Institutions and Experts in the Fight Against Corruption
in the context of the OAS, as well as initiatives aimed at
strengthening cooperation among ethics officials and
members of civil society;
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Strengthen, in cooperation with multilateral organizations
and MDBs, where appropriate, the participation of civil
society in the fight against corruption, by means of
initiatives that promote the organization, training and
linkage of citizens groups in the context of concrete
projects which promote transparency and accountability in
governance;
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Continue to promote policies, processes and mechanisms
that protect the public interest, the use of disclosure of
assets mechanisms for public officials in order to avoid
possible conflicts of interest and incompatibilities, as
well as other measures that increase transparency;
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Empowering Local Governments |
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Recognizing that citizen participation and appropriate
political representation are the foundation of democracy, and that
local governments are closest to the daily lives of citizens:
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Promote mechanisms to facilitate citizen participation in
politics, especially in local or municipal government;
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Promote the development, autonomy and institutional
strengthening of local government in order to promote
favorable conditions for the sustainable economic and
social development of their communities;
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Strengthen the institutional capacity of local governments
to allow full and equal citizen participation in public
policies without any discrimination, facilitate access to
those services fundamental to improving citizens’ quality
of life, and strengthen decentralization and the integral
development of these services in part through commensurate
and timely funding and initiatives that permit local
governments to generate and administer their own
resources;
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Promote sharing of information, best practices and
administrative expertise among local government personnel,
associations of local governments, community associations
and the public, in part by facilitating access to
information and communications technologies by
municipalities and by encouraging cooperation and
coordination among national, subregional and regional
organizations of mayors and local government;
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Stimulate international cooperation in training directors
and managers of local government; Support convening a
meeting in Bolivia of ministers or authorities at the
highest level responsible for policies on
decentralization, local government and citizen
participation in municipal government, and consider
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