Articles

The e-citizen — by Lucídio Bicalho — last modified 21-12-2007 17:59

 

Social participation as a democracy-consolidating process in Brazil — by Jair Barbosa Jr. — last modified 26-06-2008 11:41

Brazil’s transition from an authoritarian regime to a democracy has been supported by the institutionalisation of efforts to integrate citizen participation into policy-making. This paper traces the roots of citizen participation in the development of diverse community movements from the 1950s onwards, and the democratic movement that emerged from these. As a result, the 1988 federal constitution established a range of institutions to support the integration of civil society organisations into formal policy making. Twenty years on, the author describes the range and diversity of opportunities for citizen participation that exist in Brazil, and lists numerous positive social outcomes. Current challenges are analysed, such as the reluctance of some public managers to share power - particularly in economic policy-making – and recent managerial reforms of the state which fail to integrate the constitutional vision. Ongoing investments in civil society capacity will be essential for meaningful engagement to be sustained.

Social participation as a democracy-consolidating process in Brazil — by Jair Barbosa Jr. — last modified 26-06-2008 11:55

Written by Alexandre Ciconello, Inesc's Human Rights Advisor for the Oxfam Poverty Report, published this week and avaiable in Oxfam's website, the article intitled "Social Participation as a democracy-consolidating process in Brazil" says that the transition from an authoritarian regime to a democracy has been supported by the institutionalisation of efforts to integrate citizen participation into policy-making. This paper traces the roots of citizen participation in the development of diverse community movements from the 1950s onwards, and the democratic movement that emerged from these. As a result, the 1988 federal constitution established a range of institutions to support the integration of civil society organisations into formal policy making.

The Devastation of Indigenous Lands and Conservation Units in the Amazonian State of Rondônia, Brazil — by Jair Barbosa Jr. — last modified 26-06-2008 12:16

The end of rain Forest? The Devastation of Indigenous Lands and Conservation Units in the Amazonian State of Rondônia, Brazil, is the title of this dossier made by brazilian civil society mouvements. This document has been delivered for the brazilian authorities and Presidente Lula. Despite recent government measures to increase protection of forests, including punishment of environmental crimes, deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon has proceeded at an accelerated pace, especially since mid-2007. Read the document attached.