Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

“The Ecuadorian constituent assembly has a great chance to succeed but constitutional reform is not without risks.” This was the message of the Bolivians to their Ecuadorian hosts, when they visited the Ecuadorian Constituent Assembly for a two-day exchange in the coastal cities of Manta and Montecristi (17-18 January 2008).

The 7 members of the Bolivian delegation included representatives of the Constituent Assembly from ruling and opposition parties, the media, the judiciary and academic world. During two days they met with 80 members of the Constituent Assembly.

The Bolivians stressed the importance of adequate time management and the observance of previously established rules. They also warned about the difficulty of achieving consensus. Other sensitive topics that are to be dealt with, are decentralization, regional autonomy and the access to and management of natural resources.

Notwithstanding their different ideologies and political preferences, Ecuadorians were most receptive to the Bolivian ideas and experiences. Their input will be valuable for them as they embark on the often bumpy road of constitutional reform.

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The Bolivia - Ecuador exchange was initiated by the President of the Ecuadorian Assembly and supported by a group of international cooperation organizations, including NIMD. The encounter was coordinated by Ágora Democrática, the Democracy Programme in Ecuador of NIMD and International IDEA. Several other international organizations contributed to the exchange: the Spanish International Cooperation Agency AECI; the Carter Centre; the German Technical Cooperation Agency, GTZ; the Latin-American Institute for Social Research ILDIS; the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Dutch Cooperation Service, SNV.

- article by Ms María-Helena Jervis (Ágora Democrática Ecuador) -