Category: Novedades

In our section dedicated to highlighting our members, we want to share the visits we made to two organizations.

CADIME – Chamber of Medical Diagnostic Institutions

Recently, the RACI team had the opportunity to visit CADIME at their offices. Founded in 1980, CADIME is a Business Guild Organization that brings together Non-Inpatient Medical Institutes and Agencies nationwide, serving as a prominent reference in the field of medical diagnosis and treatment.

During our visit, we engaged in deep discussions about technological transformation in the healthcare sector and its impact on modern medical practices. We actively explored collaboration possibilities and joint projects, as well as opportunities for international cooperation that RACI can facilitate. We also emphasized the strategic importance of influencing public policies and leveraging our network spaces to promote coordination meetings, creating synergies and developing collaborative projects that benefit our communities.

Brandon for Equality/Equity of Rights and Opportunities Civil and Cultural Association

Another significant visit was to Brandon for Equality/Equity of Rights and Opportunities, located at their Cultural Center Casa Brandon. This association distinguishes itself by using art and its manifestations as the basis for activism, viewing culture as a powerful political act.

At Casa Brandon, we were able to firsthand explore their diverse programs and activities, including live music shows, artistic performances, film screenings, queer art festivals, poetry readings, book presentations, and specialized talks, all focused on promoting diversity and LGBTIQ+ rights.

During our meeting, we discussed the fundamental role culture plays in social transformation, as well as the unique value of Casa Brandon as a space for cultural formation and expression. We also addressed how the organization adapts to the current context to maintain and strengthen its positive impact on the community.

Thank you to both teams for hosting us!

On Wednesday, July 3, 2024, RACI organized the exclusive member dialogue “Technology with Purpose: Empowering Your NGO’s Work with AI Tools.” This event explored the impact of artificial intelligence on civil society organizations, addressing both its benefits and the challenges it presents.

Francisco Quintana, Former Program Director at CEJIL, shared his experience with AI in the realm of Human Rights and guided us through a historical journey, highlighting how these innovations are positively transforming our organizations.

Moreover, he detailed how AI has evolved from its inception in the 1950s to its current capability of autonomously generating content such as writings, videos, and images. We discussed its applications in areas like geolocation and administrative automation. Additionally, we emphasized the importance of ethical and responsible use, ensuring data privacy and promoting transparency in all our actions.

We explored how these technologies are enhancing efficiency and significantly reducing costs, benefiting key areas like translation and visual content creation. Francisco shared specific examples where AI is aiding in identifying stateless individuals in the Dominican Republic and improving global public policies.

Finally, we delved into the challenges of algorithmic bias and discrimination, underscoring the importance of ongoing training in technology ethics. We highlighted the need to maximize the use of existing tools before adopting new technologies.

Thank you to all who participated for your contributions and commitment to this dialogue on the future of our organizations!

In 2023, RACI was invited to participate in the International Fellowship Program of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation, dedicated to promoting prosperous and inclusive democracies globally. This program marks a significant milestone for RACI, highlighting the crucial role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in strengthening democratic processes through continuous development and improvement.

As part of this initiative, representatives from RACI traveled to Dayton, Ohio, where they presented the project developed during the fellowship and had the opportunity to connect with the new cohort of international fellows for 2024.

Additionally, RACI recently conducted a significant advocacy trip to Washington, D.C. This trip aimed to strengthen strategic partnerships and explore international collaboration opportunities. During this visit, key meetings were held with prominent funding channels such as CAF America and Global Giving, as well as significant donors including IAF and USAID. These interactions were crucial for building relationships and exploring new collaboration opportunities.

Discussions during these meetings addressed relevant topics such as the Argentine philanthropic landscape and current challenges related to poverty, identifying areas for strategic collaboration to maximize the impact of cross-border grants in international development.

This dual international commitment underscores our ongoing dedication to promoting positive change both locally and globally, strengthening our role as a key player in the CSO sector.

On Tuesday, June 25, we conducted the second of three webinars scheduled for this year as part of Good Deeds Day.

During this session, we had the valuable participation of three member organizations: Women in Technology, Eco House, and the Foundation for Democracy. They shared insights from their experiences, highlighting the remarkable work they do and how it aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Additionally, they emphasized the importance of volunteering within their organizations and underscored that education is the engine of change.

Good Deeds Day is a global campaign aimed at showcasing the work of civil society organizations (CSOs) and the good deeds of volunteers around the world. This meeting was not only an opportunity to learn firsthand about the positive impact of these organizations but also to inspire and motivate more people to join these initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to the success of this event! Stay tuned to our social media channels for the next gathering.

On June 6, we celebrated the fourth and final meeting of the dialogue series “Challenges of Democracy in Latin America and the Caribbean,” titled “Perspectives and Narratives.” This session focused on “Democracy and Civil Society: Roles and Visibility.”

The dialogue series, which began on February 28, 2023, aims to foster knowledge exchange and ideas among participants on the theme of “Democracy,” promote dialogue, contribute to strengthening regional networks, and disseminate the results obtained. Throughout the meetings, we have had the valuable participation of distinguished experts from various fields.

First Meeting: Structures and Public Policies

Held on February 28, 2023, this meeting addressed “Democracies in Latin America and the Caribbean today. Structures, Division of Powers, Government and State, Public Policies. The common good: Who constructs it?”

Participants included:

• Bernardo Toro from AVINA Foundation.
• Jorge Raúl Cruz from Esquipulas Foundation.
• Camila Ulloa from FARO Group.

Second Meeting: Representativeness and Social Participation

In August 2023, the second meeting focused on “Democracies in Latin America and the Caribbean today. Representativeness, Social Participation, Role of Civil Society, Freedoms, Freedom of the Press.”

Presenters included:

• Carmen Olaechea and Ana Cabria from Cambio Democrático Foundation.
• José del Tronco Paganelli from FLACSO Mexico.
• Paula Moreno from FOPEA.

Third Meeting: Human Rights and Environmental Issues

On November 30, 2023, the third meeting addressed “Democracy and Rights. Human Rights, Environmental Rights.”

Presenters included:

• Tamara Taraciuk Broner from the Peter D. Bell Rule of Law Program at the Inter-American Dialogue.
• Daniel Barragán from the International Center for Research on Environment and Territory (CIIAT) at the University of Los Hemisferios.

Fourth Meeting: Roles and Visibility of Civil Society

In the fourth and final meeting of the series, we had distinguished presentations from:

• Mercedes Jones, sociologist and PhD in social sciences, Project Director at the Center for Social Innovation at the University of San Andrés, and expert in networking.
• Marcia Rivera Hernández, economist, social researcher, political analyst, international consultant in sustainable human development, and Director of the Latin American Institute of Education for Development in Puerto Rico.

This dialogue series has been an invaluable space for exchanging ideas and promoting dialogue on democracy and civil society in our region.

We extend our gratitude to all who participated and made this great series of meetings possible!

We are excited to announce the recent alliance between RACI and Charities Aid Foundation (CAF UK).

Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) is a British organization with over 90 years of experience in philanthropy. CAF acts as a facilitator and intermediary for donations and philanthropic programs, operating in the UK, United States, and Canada, and collaborating with a network of partners across multiple countries worldwide. Its mission is to accelerate progress towards a fair and sustainable future through philanthropy, supporting both individual and corporate donors to maximize the impact of their contributions.

RACI is now the official representative of CAF in Argentina. This strategic alliance allows us to leverage CAF’s extensive experience and resources to support our donors and member organizations.

CAF International is the largest support structure for social investors worldwide, with operations in countries such as South Africa, Australia, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, United States, Ghana, Kenya, India, Indonesia, Japan, Pakistan, and Turkey. This global network facilitates robust international exchange and strengthens the capacity of social investors to make a significant impact in diverse communities.

CAF’s mission is to create an international network of charitable organizations to promote cross-border philanthropic activities, educate donors and organizations, and advocate for supportive regulatory environments globally. Network members leverage local expertise to support these shared objectives, promoting cross-border giving, sharing best practices, facilitating donor engagement, and contributing to intellectual leadership and media relations.

This new partnership brings numerous benefits to RACI and our member organizations, including:

• Access to CAF’s global network.
• Collaboration on marketing, research, and intellectual leadership initiatives.
• Participation in international conferences and events.
• Access to knowledge transfer resources and networks.

We celebrate this new chapter and the opportunities this partnership will bring. We invite all our member organizations and partners to stay tuned for future news and opportunities arising from this strategic collaboration with CAF UK.

During a series of recent visits, we had the privilege of getting to know up close the exceptional work of three of our members. These visits provided us with the opportunity to explore their programs, exchange ideas, and strengthen our collaboration for positive social impact.

CILSA

The team at CILSA welcomed us with open arms, offering us an intimate look at their work towards the full inclusion of people with disabilities and marginalized sectors. For over 50 years, CILSA has tirelessly worked to ensure equitable access to opportunities and rights for vulnerable children and adolescents throughout Argentina.

We explored their various social programs, from vocational training to philanthropy, spanning multiple cities across the country.

ACIJ (Civil Association for Equality and Justice)

ACIJ greeted us with their commitment to a more just and inclusive society. We discussed their position within our network and cooperation opportunities, as well as new strategies for activism development and the social agenda.

We delved into the breadth of their thematic teams, addressing everything from democracy strengthening to the fight against child poverty and fiscal justice.

Valoarte

Valoarte shared their mission to promote emotional education with equal opportunities. We discussed their innovative educational programs in vulnerable contexts, as well as their comprehensive vision for better development. We also explored ways to leverage RACI’s space and resources to maximize their impact and expansion, as well as access international cooperation opportunities.

These visits were a testament to our members’ commitment to social transformation and collaborative work.

Thank you for having us!

We were present at the co-design meeting focused on the implementation of the CIVICUS European Commission Grant in Latvia, which took place from April 22nd to 26th, 2024.

Our participation in this event was part of our ongoing commitment to strengthening civil society and promoting citizen action in Argentina and beyond. During the meeting, our team actively engaged in discussions and strategies related to the three main pillars of the event:

1. Knowledge and Joint Strategy Sharing: We contributed to dialogue on key issues, sharing experiences, and developing joint strategies to address common challenges in the field of civil society and citizen action.
2. Implementation Planning: Our representatives collaborated in developing a comprehensive implementation plan, working on strategies to enhance the capacities of target groups and ensure they are prepared to lead joint initiatives effectively.
3. Building Partnerships and Alliances: We explored opportunities for local and global collaborations, seeking to strengthen alliances that expand civic and democratic space, especially in support of communities facing restrictions and discrimination.

We appreciate CIVICUS for providing us with this opportunity to participate in such a significant event and for their continued commitment to promoting civil society worldwide.

The Kettering Foundation, globally recognized for its work in strengthening democracy through the promotion of dialogue and active citizenship, has launched its “2023 Yearbook.” This yearbook highlights the review of the year 2023 in Democracy worldwide, capturing the numerous ways in which they worked to identify connections between strategy and impactful efforts the foundation could make in this focus area.

In the words of Maxine Thomas, Vice President and General Counsel of the Foundation, who led the expansion of the foundation’s international work in 2022 and 2023, “The challenge is how to build on Kettering’s new plan without relying on old processes.” This challenge kept the Foundation’s Global Democracy team busy in 2023, but in very different ways than in the past. These new approaches included the creation of “affinity groups” composed of network members and the development of a new version of Kettering’s international fellowship program.

Within the yearbook, there is a highlight interview with Guillermo Correa, Executive Director of RACI, where he shared his transformative experience at the Foundation and how it influenced his work within the Third Sector in Argentina and in Latin America and the Caribbean.

He explained how his time at Kettering changed his perspective on the relationship between citizens and government, highlighting the importance of building bridges between civil society organizations and the work foundations like Kettering do.

Additionally, he spoke about the creation of RACI in 2007 and how the network has grown since then, supporting initiatives ranging from the production of information based on member organizations’ activities to resource mobilization and training to strengthen civil society.

This report provides insight into innovative strategies and collaborative efforts shaping work in the field of democracy and citizen participation worldwide.

You can read the full interview here (pages 53-57).