In order to reflect on the inequalities evidenced and deepened by the pandemic in Argentina and the region, on Friday, September 10, we held an exclusive panel for members and allies. This was made up of: Gabriela Arrastúa (Director General of Techo Regions), Ayelen D´Ápice (General Coordinator of the Centro la Nazarena de Florencio Varela), Marina Sala (Foundation for International Democracy of Rosario) and Luana Esquenazi (Director of Research of RACI).
On this occasion, we return to some of the results obtained from our study Civic Perspective Against Covid-19, which made visible the great effort made by social organizations to support the most vulnerable communities in our country during the hardest months of social isolation, but also the latest data presented by ECLAC that reflect growing levels of inequality and inequity in the Latin American and Caribbean region.
The July 2021 report highlights a context of concentration of wealth, greater poverty, records in withdrawal requests from organizations, potential climate refugees, among other difficulties that urge our populations. Given these growing trends, RACI is disseminating the survey “Civic Perspective Latin America and the Caribbean”, with the aim of analyzing the role played by social organizations nowadays and how we can rethink ourselves in the future. The study has a Latin Americanist view, based on the polyphonies of the South.
In general terms, the panelists presented several concerns that the pandemic brought along, both for their organizations and for the population in general. This exposed the severe digital gap, the domestic violence, and the housing and even food deficits faced by a large percentage of our country’s population. It was also interesting to recognize the great work carried out by those informal organizations every day and the fact that they were largely responsible for covering the unmet basic needs during the pandemic. The importance of larger organizations supporting existing social and community structures to enhance and strengthen their agency capacity was raised. It also pointed out the importance of social organizations as overseers of government action, as a civic manifestation of participation, and as guarantors of democracy.
At the end of the exhibitions, a space for questions and comments was opened. We are very pleased, as several opportunities arose for articulation between organizations to face common challenges.
Finally, and to close the panel, a question came up: How do we adapt our organizations if we want to continue to properly represent the population?
To contribute to the survey, enter here and add your perspective: https://es.surveymonkey.com/r/PerspectiveEnglish.