The challenges of Open Government Partnership in Latin America

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Open Government Partnership (OGP) “owes” its origins to a case called Claude vs Chile was the first time a government was induced to release information backed by article 13 of the American Convention on Human Rights that guaranteed the right to such information, setting the first precedent in the Inter-American court of a litigation for access of state-owned information. Other similar cases around the globe have set up the foundations of a new era in the access of information with inspiring experiences.

In Latin America there are countries still reluctant to join the group, but OGP seems to have learned how to navigate the turbulence of Latin American politics.

The United States and Brazil co-hosted the first Open Government Partnership (OGP) conference in Brasilia, Brazil; a strategic location pick given it’s a role model in the region.

Brazil has a well-founded reputation as a leader among its fellow Latin American states. Their growing and stable economy has placed them as the seventh biggest economy, pushing past the U.K., France and Italy. Most of the international news coverage from LATAM is focused on Brazil and usually comes with a praising tone. Brazil is confident [and wealthy] enough to ask for a permanent chair in international organizations like the UN Security Council or the G8, affirming its world-player status, unknown to any other Latin American nation. It has become almost common sense for LATAM countries to follow Brazil wherever it goes, and that includes the OGP.

Why is the Brazilian role model necessary in Latin America?

Latin American culture is as vast as its territory. The variety of religions, ethnicities, traditions and political views differs from region to region, from neighborhood to neighborhood. Yet, in such a multicultural population there is one common feeling: a distrust of the United States. This is an intrinsic mind-set for any Latin American who grows up hearing about events such as the “Dirty War,” “Operation Condor,” the Cuban embargo, “Plan Colombia,” and other infamous military-economic methods aimed at Latin American countries.

Decades after these covert operations were over, and left a lasting impression on Latin American citizens and governments, the United States spearheaded a worldwide war against terrorism that enlarged its military reach throughout the globe. Even though Latin America was the least militarized region after Antarctica, the few bases placed in its territory brought back memories of the times of dictatorships and linkages with the US. Throughout LATAM OPG is mistakenly labeled as a made-in-USA organization, and Brazil will play a key role in rebranding the initiative.

Peer pressure

“If you see people in neighboring countries with all those rights and tools that improve their poor quality of life, you’re going to ask for them to your government” says Karina Banfi, who is chairman of Regional Alliance, a South American NGOs’ network integrated to OGP.


When asked about countries like Venezuela or Argentina that are still reluctant to join OGP or don’t fulfill the requirements she says “Access to information is a human right." she says It is easy to see the politic cost of denying it. Nowadays, we are more attentive of what goes on in our continent, and events like this [conference] make a great deal on spreading the word in the region they are hosted.”

In the inaugural meeting of the OGP in Brasilia, Hillary Clinton said "In the 21st century, the US is convinced that one of the most significant divisions between nations will be not between east or west, nor over religion, so much as between open and closed societies." Her words ricocheted in the media worldwide.

​"We believe those governments that hide from public view and dismiss ideas of openness and the aspirations of their people for greater freedom will find it increasingly difficult to create a secure society," Clinton closed, offering a clear vision of which countries will excel in the future.

 

The peer pressure strategy is likely to work in LATAM where a democracy is the accepted government structure and the democratic values emanating from OPG, but that tactic seems unlikely to be encouraged by societies where democracy is an unfamiliar paradigm instead of inherited idiosyncrasy (like the case of Egypt, Iran, Libya or China.)

“So far, so good” says Banfi who is very positive about the further success of the new organization in LATAM, but clarifies that “Latin America takes an extra quota of patience and political tact.”