A Paraguayan delegation representing newly-elected President Fernando Lugo visited IFES on June 20, 2008, to share information over a round-table discussion regarding the recent Paraguayan election, challenges of the new administration and the future of Paraguay.
IFES President Jean-Pierre Kingsley and IFES Vice President Carina Perelli received the five visitors consisting of: Ms. Amanda Rosalia Nuñez, Parlasur representative-elect, included Mr.Ricardo Nicolas Canese, Energy Advisor to the President-elect; Mr. Ricardo Heisecke Rivarola, Minister of Industry and Commerce; Mr. Justo Raul Meza Montiel, Political Advisor to the President-elect; and Mr. Miguel Angel Rojas, Security Advisor to the President-elect.
The delegation stressed three main goals for Paraguay’s new administration:
- Transparency and legitimacy of governance and the electoral process
- Improve the social sector
- Strengthen institutions
Strong emphasis was placed on combating corruption in the country as well as the pivotal role of donors and international institutions in ensuring success of these objectives. And finally, they indicated Paraguay will seek to create their own governmental model catered specifically to the needs of Paraguayan society as they learn from models used by others.
The delegation praised IFES’ work in Paraguay, highlighting the leadership of Colombian President Andrés Pastrana, Chief Election Observer for IFES in Paraguay; Carina Perelli, IFES Vice President; and Pablo Galarce, IFES Regional Director for the Americas who led the long-term election monitoring team for the April 2008 elections. IFES was invited to return to Paraguay to continue its strong cooperative relationship with the Paraguayan government to help ensure transparency and legitimacy of electoral processes continues in the future.
Additional attendees were: Ambassador of Paraguay to the White House Mr. James Spalding, former U.S. Ambassador to Paraguay Mr. Timothy Towell and representatives from Latin American embassies, the State Department, USAID, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Inter-American Foundation, Casals and Associates, the Washington Office on Latin America and a number of eminent international organizations.