Category: Novedades

Good Deeds Day 

From October 29 to November 1, 2023, the Good Deeds Day Regional Conference was held in Costa Rica.

Representatives of civil society organizations and individuals committed to the slogan participated, as well as leaders of incredible initiatives from all over Latin America and the Caribbean. There were very enriching workshops, conferences and panels and we came back full of energy and ideas to take DBA to another level in our country.

Some of the topics we covered were: 

• Sustainable volunteering.
• High-impact project planning.
• Strengthening of networks and alliances.
• Problem-solving group dynamics to achieve dynamic and sustainable volunteerism in a changing society.

Among the most outstanding panels was the one on “Alliances with the Business Sector”, which offered different ways to approach and involve the private sector in our projects. Another very enriching panel was “How to raise funds and not die trying” offered by Salvador Sanchez (Majocca Foundation- Mexico) and Carlos Madrid (Independent Consultant- Mexico).

The Giving Tuesday representative from Brazil spoke about generosity in Latam and how we can connect with the program. RACI participated in the panel “Partnerships with Governments” with colleagues from Peru, Mexico and Paraguay.

At the end of the event, all delegations participated in a volunteer activity that consisted of assembling backpacks with school supplies for children from underprivileged areas. We counted on the presence of the children who would receive the backpacks, and they themselves participated in this “Marathon”. 

Kettering Foundation Gathers World Leaders in Auckland to promote inclusive democracy.

In a momentous event organized by the Kettering Foundation, leaders and professionals committed to promoting inclusive democracy gathered in Auckland, New Zealand. This globally significant event brought together diverse experts and representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs), including RACI.

The event addressed the contemporary challenges facing democracy. Key discussions were held on concrete strategies to foster civic participation and strengthen democratic institutions in an increasingly complex and changing world.

RACI’s participation as a network of civil society organizations was instrumental in enriching the dialogue and sharing experiences and perspectives from Argentina and the region. 

The event, which culminated in a series of commitments and action plans, reaffirms the commitment of the Kettering Foundation and its partners to promoting inclusive democracy and strengthening communities around the world globally.

The training program to support the efforts of CSOs in Latin America and the Caribbean has concluded.

These workshops were designed to collaborate in strengthening the capacities of civil society organizations, providing and exchanging tools, knowledge, and skills to boost their resilience in facing challenges throughout the region.

What have we achieved?

During the months of July to October 2023, more than 60 people took part in the workshops. Coming from civil society organizations, social movements and activists across 17 different countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Attendees received certification on key topics such as Strategic Communication, Advocacy, Networking and Volunteering.

This incredible training opportunity was made possible thanks to the collective effort of the Argentine Network for International Cooperation (RACI), Grupo FARO and Youth Against Violence, the organizations that make up the Regional Center for Innovation for Change in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Thank you all for participating!

Follow us on social media to keep up to date with all our activities.

RACI renews its commitment to CIVICUS as a full and voting member for the next three years.

We are proud to announce that we have successfully completed the re-accreditation process as a full and voting member of CIVICUS – World Alliance for Citizen Participation. This renewal ensures RACI’s continued membership in this leading global alliance, effective October 4, 2023 through October 4, 2026.

By reaffirming our role as a voting member, we consolidate our active participation in a diverse global alliance of activists and civil society organizations, in line with the mission and vision of CIVICUS. The renewal of our membership reflects our commitment to strengthening citizen action and civil society advocacy, both on a local and global scale.

The certificate of membership awarded by CIVICUS revalidates our dedication to building a global community that is informed, inspired and committed to addressing the challenges facing humanity. At the same time, it underscores our ongoing efforts to strengthen citizen action and civil society around the world.

RACI is proud to continue to collaborate with CIVICUS and looks forward to working together to foster meaningful and positive change in our communities and in the world at large.

On October 31, our members-only forum focused on key strategies for attracting donors and ensuring the sustainability of Civil Society Organizations. Under the expert guidance of Daniel Gamboa, Director of Growth and Fundraising at Amnesty International Argentina, tactics were shared to expand impact and strengthen commitment to Human Rights.

We thank the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella for offering its facilities for an intensive day of learning and reflection, which significantly enriched the dialogue around the importance of collaboration and the exchange of experiences, especially in such challenging times as the present.

Special emphasis was placed on providing practical tools for the formation and management of highly effective fundraising teams. Strategies employed by large organizations to attract donors and retain competent professionals in this field were analyzed.

In addition, the workshop promoted reflection on the management of financial development in times of crisis, and fostered an active dialogue among all the areas that interact with this sector. The workshop was especially designed for professionals with leadership roles in social organizations, seeking to provide them with the necessary tools to face challenges.

The members of the network participated in debates and shared experiences, reflecting on actualization strategies and tactics to preserve the impact of the causes in times of inflation. 

We express our gratitude for the participation of all network members, and look forward to future meetings to continue strengthening the sector.

The Regional Center of Innovation for Change in Latin America and the Caribbean continues with the cycle of multi-actor roundtable discussions.

As with each new forum, the next meeting will consist of brief presentations by leading figures from Latin America and the Caribbean with the aim of motivating and generating enriching conversations, with innovating proposals and alternatives that improve and enhance the democratic practices in our countries. After the presentations, it is proposed a round table discussion with the participation of the audience, based on dynamics that favor a genuine dialogue, open and inclusive communication of all voices in order to achieve a better consensus.

On this opportunity, we invite you to join us for the third encounter:

Dialogue 3: Democracy and Rights. Human Rights. Environmental Rights. November 30, 2023. From 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. (GMT -3)

The topics to consider will be the relationship between democracy, human rights and environmental rights as well as the different situations in the region, the challenges, risks, and opportunities.

The conversations shall be done virtually through Zoom and will be held in Spanish.

Register here.

We are sharing the latest news about the state of civic freedoms in five countries that have raised deep concerns from the CIVICUS Monitor. This organization, dedicated to protecting and promoting civil society rights worldwide, has issued a new watchlist highlighting the severe and rapid deterioration of civic space in Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ecuador, the United Arab Emirates, and Senegal.

The CIVICUS Monitor’s watchlist is an important tool that identifies countries where worrisome setbacks in the exercise of civic freedoms have been observed. These findings are based on assessments conducted by the CIVICUS Monitor in collaboration with human rights defenders and activists committed to safeguarding fundamental rights.

The civic space ratings in these countries are as follows:

Senegal: Civic space rated as “obstructed.” Bangladesh: Civic space rated as “repressive.” Bosnia and Herzegovina: Civic space rated as “narrowed.” United Arab Emirates: Civic space rated as “closed.” Ecuador: Civic space rated as “obstructed.”

In the coming weeks and months, the CIVICUS Monitor will continue to closely monitor the situation in these countries and work to increase pressure on the respective governments. CIVICUS urgently calls on these governments to take immediate measures to end ongoing repressive actions and ensure accountability for those responsible.

At RACI, we recognize the importance of supporting organizations like the CIVICUS Monitor that seek to preserve and strengthen civic space worldwide.

We will closely follow this situation and encourage our members to stay informed about these concerns and join efforts to protect civic freedoms worldwide.

Our Executive Committee has approved the establishment of the “Ex-Presidents Committee.”

This new committee represents a dedicated space for safeguarding our mission and institutional principles. At RACI, we firmly believe in the importance of evolving and growing to promote transparency, cooperation, and strength within our community. The creation of the Ex-Presidents Committee is a testament to our ongoing commitment to a more solid and collaborative future.

The founding members of this committee, who have served as presidents of RACI at different times, are:

• Daniel Pomerantz – AMIA
• Kurt Frieder – Huésped Foundation
• Patricia Kahane – Tzedaká Foundation

Each of them brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of RACI’s values and mission. Their previous leadership and dedication to the civil society cause will be instrumental in guiding this new space.

The Ex-Presidents Committee will play an essential role in preserving and strengthening the essence of RACI, ensuring that we continue moving in the right direction and keeping our core values at the heart of everything we do.

We have recently obtained the status of a Consultative Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

ECOSOC plays a vital role in promoting mutual understanding among people and issues, with the aim of fostering collective action to achieve a sustainable world. Obtaining consultative status with this body provides us with a valuable opportunity to engage in its work in various ways.

This new status allows us to:

1. Actively engage with ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies.
2. Designate official representatives to the United Nations Headquarters in New York and the United Nations Offices in Geneva and Vienna.
3. Register and participate in sessions, events, conferences, and activities of the United Nations.
4. Submit written statements relevant to the Council’s work on matters in which we have special expertise.

Furthermore, as an organization with general and special consultative status, we also have the option to designate authorized representatives to attend as observers in public meetings of ECOSOC and its subsidiary bodies, the Human Rights Council, and, under certain conditions, the General Assembly and other intergovernmental UN bodies.

We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for us to contribute even more to global dialogue.

We extend our gratitude to all our members for their unwavering support and commitment to our mission. We will continue to work diligently to make the most of this new consultative status and to further promote positive change on the international stage.

During the week of September 15th to 25th, RACI joined the “Week of Action for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” and extended an invitation to our members to take advantage of the opportunity to share their projects and activities.

It was an opportunity to highlight how their daily efforts are contributing to the achievement of the SDGs and to inspire other organizations to join this transformative cause.

We thank the CSOs that participated:

• Fundación Gracias
• Tablero de Oportunidades 
• Olimpiadas Especiales Argentina
• Mundo Sano
• Fundación San Genaro 
• Enseñá por Argentina
• Fundación Espacios Verdes
• Azul Solidario
• Inmigrantes Digitales
• Adeei
• Equidad
• Sumando
• León
• AMIA
• Comunicación para la igualdad 
• Cultura del Trabajo 
• América Solidaria 
• Fundación magis
• Fundacion Vicentina 
• Eco House Global
• La base 
• Kunayán
• FUNDAPAZ

We will continue to support and promote the work of CSOs, and we appreciate all the organizations that participated in this Week of Action for the SDGs. Your contributions are a testament to how civil society is leading the way towards a more sustainable and just world.