Over 1,700 graduate from Governance and Political Management Program

(La Paz, December 6, 2010).- To strengthen the institutional development of Latin American countries, CAF, Latin American development bank, has trained 1,739 leaders through its Governance and Political Management Program implemented in Bolivia since 2001.

 

The program has formed a critical mass of leaders in public management and political dynamics at institutional level, and promoted governance among social actors through processes of participation, negotiation, communication and building of political, economic and social viability.

 

The program, which is organized in partnership with Del Valle University and George Washington University, brings a new perspective to solving local problems through knowledge and skills in political management, systemic thinking, proactive and participatory communication strategies, leadership for change, and transparency.

 

"The objective is to create a critical mass of leaders and support teams capable of accepting the challenge of managing transformation processes, achieving a better understanding of political dynamics and their interaction with the technical dimension," CAF technical cooperation director Elvira Lupo said.

 

Technical, political and social

 

The program has positioned itself as a benchmark for reliable training and prestige for public sector employees with a high percentage of municipalities contributing participants. It is also recognized for its capacity to manage the complexity involved in implementing political projects and incorporating the services required by the community, reflecting capacity for balancing social, political and technical aspects.

 

Results achieved

 

In the public sector, participation in the program by graduates who hold political positions of authority is growing, reaching a peak of 70% of total participants in 2008 and 63% this year. In the private sector, participation of graduates who hold executive positions is also important, peaking at 91% in 2008, and 85% in 2010.

 

In the program, 63% of the beneficiaries are from urban areas and 27% from rural sectors. In Bolivia 188 municipalities have contributed a total of 337 participants.

 

As a result of the training, the presence of graduates in the public sector increased, while 20% received promotion after the program, 30% were rotated due to political changes but remained in the public sector, 7% who worked in the private sector moved to the public sector, and 15% ran for public office, mainly as constituents, councilors and mayors.

 

Academic alliances

 

The Governance and Political Management Program was developed by CAF, and executed by leading universities in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Venezuela, with the aim of supporting the governments of the region in improving governance and directly reaching public and private actors to equip them with a common language and an appropriate methodology. With this activity, CAF has found another way of reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development and regional integration.

 

In Bolivia, the program has trained mayors, councilors, departmental councilors, deputies, heads of vigilance committees, municipal technical teams and leaders of organizations which work with municipalities in eight the country's nine departments, together with citizens committed to the development of their communities.