Latin America & the Caribbean
REGIONAL
Rule of Law in Central America and Mexico Study (2009). In 2009 DI conducted a comprehensive review of USAID’s support for rule of law programs in Mexico and Central America. Led by DI Senior Advisor Chuck Costello, a DI team conducted field work in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico during the summer of 2009. The purpose of the study was to examine current political, economic, and social challenges in the region in a changing context, gauge the effectiveness of rule of law programs to date in advancing democratic development, and make recommendations for strategic priorities for rule of law programming in the region over the next five to ten years. The report gave highest priority to improving institutional performance of the key justice sector institutions, devising workable responses to the citizen security problem, and efforts to combat corruption.
BOLIVIA
Administration of Justice Assessment (2009-10). In April-May 2010, a three-person DI team conducted an evaluation in Bolivia of USAID’s seven-year Administration of Justice Program. Under this program, the United States has provided assistance to Bolivian justice sector institutions to introduce the oral-based accusatorial criminal procedural code, build courtrooms for public hearings, improve public defense services, and establish Integrated Justice Centers to improve access to justice and related social services. The team evaluated the impact and sustainability of the program and provided recommendations for future programming to USAID and for consideration of the government of Bolivia.
COLOMBIA
Human Rights Evaluation (2008). In 2008 DI conducted a comprehensive evaluation of USAID/Colombia’s human rights program, a major initiative that has aimed to assist the Government of Colombia to strengthen justice, focusing in particular on the more vulnerable areas and population groups of the country. The team made a series of recommendations for U.S. efforts, working with civil society organizations and the government of Colombia, to prevent human rights violations, protect vulnerable civilians and communities-at-risk, and fulfill victims’ rights to justice.
Democracy and Governance Assessment (2005). Using the USAID DG Assessment Framework, DI conducted a broad, strategic assessment of democracy and governance opportunities in Colombia for USAID. Working together with MSI, DI provided a comprehensive analysis of the state of democracy in Colombia and developed a set of recommendations USAID democracy and governance programs in the country. The team found that the principal problem facing Colombia was the existence of separate governing systems in the country due to the inability of the state to reach regions in conflict. The team thus recommended greater emphasis on addressing the problems of armed conflict in war-torn parts of Colombia and on promoting policy reform in regions where democracy is more institutionalized.
ECUADOR
Parallel Vote Tabulation Assistance (2009). DI advised on a parallel vote tabulation for April 2009 elections in Ecuador. DI Principal Glenn Cowan traveled to Quito to assess local election monitoring groups and consult with USAID.
GUYANA
Democratic Consolidation and Conflict Resolution Program (2004-08). In Guyana DI worked on a program supporting election reform and election administration in advance of elections in August 2006. DI advised the election commission on continuous voter registration, database design, biometrics, and the design of a new electoral system. DI advised both major parties on issues of electoral administration, voter registration, and pollwatching, and worked to promote inter-ethnic cooperation and conflict resolution at the national, regional, and community levels and across multiple sectors. DI also designed baseline survey research for USAID’s democracy and governance program.
HAITI
Post-Election Needs Assessment (2000). DI experts participated in a joint international election assessment commissioned by USAID, the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP). The joint team sought to assess and document the lessons learned from the 2009 partial senatorial elections and to develop a roadmap for future assistance to help build the capacity of the Provisional Elections Council in advance of national elections planned for 2010.
Advice for Election Authorities (2005-06). For the United Nations, the OAS, and the Haitian Central Election Commission, DI advised on procedures for voter registration and identity card production, voter registration database development, ballot design, printing and distribution of voter lists, and shipping of election supplies for elections in 2006. DI developed operational plans for the election commission’s vote counting and reporting procedures.
JAMAICA
Democracy and Governance Assessment and Program Design (2005). DI deployed a five-person team, led by DI Senior Advisor Chuck Costello, to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of USAID’s democracy and governance programs in Jamaica. The evaluation focused on civil society, alternative dispute resolution, community policing, justice sector reform, inner-city development and other efforts directed towards improving citizen security and participation in government. The team also convened a conference of stakeholders on “lessons learned” and produced a program design that served as the basis for the Mission’s subsequent request for proposals and program.
PANAMA
Democracy and Governance Assessment (2010). Piloting USAID’s revised DG Assessment Framework, DI conducted a broad, strategic democracy and governance assessment for USAID in Panama. Led by DI Senior Advisor Chuck Costello, a three-person team traveled to Panama in early 2010 and met with senior government officials, political parties, civil society groups, journalists, academics, international donors, and implementers. The team prepared a comprehensive report identifying a lack of political accountability as the principal democratization challenge and recommending future programmatic options for USAID’s democracy and governance strategy in Panama. The team will also provide feedback to USAID on the revised Assessment Framework.
VENEZUELA
Election Monitoring (2006). DI Program Officer Bill Gallery joined a Carter Center study mission to monitor electronic voting in the December 2006 presidential election in Venezuela. The mission was part of a broader effort to develop a methodology for monitoring elections using electronic voting, addressing such issues as software audits, voter privacy and the secure transmission and tabulation of results.
