June 2013 Workshop: Bogotá, Colombia |
Transparency and Accountability for Private Social Investment in Latin AmericaForty participants, representing various corporate foundations, non-profit organisations, associations and foundation networks, gathered in Bogotá, Colombia, to exchange ideas on the conditions of transparency and accountability practices for private social investment organisations in the Latin American region. The workshop took place on 4th June 2013 and was hosted by WINGS and the Association of Corporate Foundations of Colombia (Asociación de Fundaciones Empresariales – AFE). ![]() image: Flickr, David Berkowitz
The workshop was divided in two panels and two working sessions. On the first panel, GDFE (Argentina), GIFE (Brazil), CEMEFI (Mexico) and AFE presented trends and challenges for transparency and accountability in the region. One of the common threads in all countries is a lack of demand from the general public for accountability, and the existing initiatives from the government or the civil society are not sufficient to reach the objective, especially given that many of them are only available to a group of privileged individuals. The lack of transparency and accountability practices are present both in private social investment donors and in the recipients of these donations. The panel was followed by a session that identified challenges and obstacles for a system encouraging good practices: Challenges
Obstacles
The second panel discussed "Essential Aspects for Transparency and Accountability”, and presentations focused on: 1. Essential aspects for transparency and accountability in relation to the disclosure of financial information (Transparency for Colombia, member of Transparency International); 2. Good governance and governability, concentrating on if an organization is capable of organizing itself and reaching its goals (Avina Foundation); 3. Effectiveness, coherence and mission impact (RedAmerica). The final working session focused on practical steps and recommendations: Good Governance and Governability
Financial Statement Disclosure
Effectiveness and Impact
Capability Development
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