Deployment for Democratic Development

PERU

AT A GLANCE
Head of Government: President Alan Garcia Perez
Next election: 2011
Capital: Lima
Population: 29.5 million
Independence: 1821 from Spain
Human Development Index (HDI): 79th out of 179 countries
Gender Gap Index (GGI): 48th out of 130 countries
Gross National Index (GNI) per capita: US$3,450

Supporting the Defensoria del Pueblo

Status: Operational
Local Partner: Peru’s Defensoria del Pueblo
Canadian Expert: To Be Confirmed

Peru’s Defensoria del Pueblo (Office of the Ombudsman) has been one of Canada’s key development and policy dialogue partners in Peru for its role in mediating conflicts and promoting balanced and informed political debate. Established in 1996, following many years of civil conflict, it is an arms-length state institution dedicated to protecting democratic principles, government accountability and citizen advocacy. Under Canada’s and Switzerland’s leadership, a multi-donor basket fund, (which includes Spain, Switzerland and Sweden) was created to support the Defensoria’s “Promotion of Equity and Inclusion for the Exercise of Human Rights Program,” harmonize approaches and minimize transaction costs. Recently, the Defensoría requested DDD assistance with further RBM, strategic planning and project management training to help them meet the requirements of the basket fund, improve internal policies, and meet government of Peru requirements. A work planning mission will take place in late April 2010.

Supporting Peru’s Decentralization Process

Status: Operational
Local Organization: Regional Government of Piura
Canadian Experts: Carlos Salazar, Rémy Pinsonnault and Javier Bohigas
Article: Building Democracy: Decentralization Growing Pains in Peru by Carlos Salazar, appeared in Public Sector Management magazine in 2009
Presentation: Decentralization in Peru - Growing Pains by Carlos Salazar

Decentralization is a new process for Peru. While the Regions (similar to the provincial level in Canada) are open to taking on increased responsibilities and authority, they have requested assistance in beefing up their local governance systems and their own institutional capacity to ensure that the process moves forward smoothly. One of CIDA's priorities is to support Peru’s decentralization process from the bottom-up by assisting with the improvement of the “machinery of government” at the regional level.

Following the completion of an implementation plan for the decentralization process, which identifies eight priority areas that require strengthening, the Government of Piura has asked CIDA's Deployment for Democratic Development to provide technical assistance in two areas: strategic/priority planning capacities and information systems.

Canadian expert Carlos Salazar is working closely with the regional government to help update their diagnostic and action plan, advise on strengthening strategic and operational planning, and recommend next steps to contribute to the overall strengthening of the region’s capacity to deliver better services to their communities. DDD has contracted IT consultant Rémy Pinsonnault and Javier Bohigas to lead the latter initiative on improving information systems.

“It is really exciting to be able to contribute to the decentralization process in Peru. Our colleagues in the Region of Piura face the same challenges we do, balancing short and long term goals within a highly political environment with limited resources; they approach their challenges with energy and enthusiasm, and above all, with the belief that they are building a better country, and they are.” Carlos Salazar

Carlos Salazar with workshop participants in Piura, Peru