DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE

Program Overview (1997-2005)

Members of the Cooperative Association of the Independent Pro-Integral Rehabilitation Group, Ltd. (ACOGIPRI de R.L.) hold a pacific demonstration at El Salvador Legislative Assembly in support of a proposal to modify the Equivalent Opportunities for Handicapped Persons Law, in December 2004.  Photo by ACOGIPRI de R.L.

Under its strategy that began in 1997 and ended in September 2005, USAID helped El Salvador to promote democracy, rule of law, active citizen participation, and representation in government. Program activities included: (a) judicial system training; (b) assistance to implement new criminal and penal codes; (c) work with the Legislative Assembly to establish constituent outreach offices in rural areas; (d) strengthening of municipalities to enable them to better serve citizens; (e) encourage greater citizen participation in local decision-making process through open city council meetings and public budget hearings; (f) alternative dispute resolution opportunities through mediation centers; and (g) support to the National Civilian Police (PNC) community policing initiative to reduce crime.

USAID programs contributed to the following achievements:

• Legal education: Seven of the most important law schools in the country opened legal clinics with USAID support.  The clinics have more than 830 registered students.  A curriculum reform for a law degree is under way and will include improved skills and abilities required to implement the new criminal reform.
  
  
• Mediation centers: USAID helped the Public Defenders Office (PGR) and selected municipal governments open 22 mediation centers with national coverage through the PGR regional centers and municipalities.  Facilitators have carried out more than 7,059 mediation services.
  
  
• Support to National Civilian Police (PNC): USAID supported El Salvador’s community policing program by training 1,596 police officials and 650 public prosecutors, and purchased 825 radios to strengthen communication among field offices.  USAID provided computer equipment and digital console tables to install a system that will improve case preparation and management of a 911 system.
  
  
• Citizen participation: USAID provided support to initiatives that fostered a more open Legislative Assembly to citizen participation in the decision making process. This support has been possible through the creation of the Office of Citizen Services in San Salvador, with a direct phone line (1-800-ASAMBLEA), and a national civic education program that benefited around 25,000 students.  The civic education program covered the roles and responsibilities of a democratic Assembly.
  
  
• Ethics bill: USAID provided assistance to develop an ethics program and legislation for public employees.  The bill was submitted for approval to the Legislative Assembly.  An ethics code for government officials was approved by the President.
  
  
• New civil registry: USAID supported the National Registry of Natural Persons (RNPN) to establish a new civil registry and the issuance of the single identity card (or DUI in Spanish), which was used in the 2004 presidential elections as a voting document and contributed greatly to the increased voter turnout (67%).
  
  
• Anti-corruption donation: In order to strengthen the Attorney General’s Office activities related to transparency and anti-corruption measures, USAID provided key equipment to the Anti-Corruption Unit and to the Defense of the State’s Interest Unit.  Goods included office equipment, furniture, vehicles, and computers.  Also, USAID provided equipment to the Presidential Commissioner for Consumer’s Defense, which is in charge of informing citizens about their duties and rights as consumers.
  

• Support to local governments: In April of 2005, 28 municipalities concluded and presented their “Long Term Participative Strategic Plans” in general assemblies and town councils.  The process serves as a model for local activities carried out by other international agencies and government institutions.
  
  
• Common agenda for local development: USAID, along with other international organizations and the Corporation of Municipalities of El Salvador (COMURES), participated in meetings with “Red de Cooperantes para el Desarrollo Local" (RECODEL) -a network of civil society organizations and donors working on local development- and the National Commission for Local Development (CONADEL).  A common agenda on this topic was submitted to the President of El Salvador in May 2005.

• Institutional capacity: USAID financed activities to strengthen COMURES’ institutional capacity to support municipal interests and to better respond to members’ needs.