May
CRIPDES Regional Support, Politics
CRIPDES Plans for New Political Context: May 10th 2009
On March 15th, when the announcement that Mauricio Funes had won the presidential race was publicized, Salvadoran communities overflowed with excitement and celebration. In the coming days, people breathed a collective sigh of relief, as the historic task of electing the first Left-wing president of El Salvador had been successfully completed. Since then, CRIPDES and our sistered communities have worked to define their role in the new political context in El Salvador, in preparation for Funes’s inauguration on June 1st, 2009.
In April, representatives from the 5 regions of CRIPDES began the first discussions about the role of the social movement in the upcoming administration. This is not an easy task, as CRIPDES is now working in a context that is completely different from the last 25 years since they were began. The discussions about future CRIPDES work will continue over the following months in order to create an official strategy. The following information is preliminary and the result of Sister Cities accompanying this discussion process.
The CRIPDES transition to the new Funes administration, some people say, is equivalent to the transition that happened when the Peace Accords were signed in El Salvador in 1992. At that time the FMLN became an official political party and FMLN politicians became Mayors in a number of Municipalities. Given this context CRIPDES redefined their work in the post war context and kept their role as independent from the FMLN. They supported and provided constructive criticism to the party when necessary.
The transition on inauguration day June 1st will provide many similar opportunities and challenges. CRIPDES will have new options for organizing because of the FMLN administration, and will continue their philosophy of both supporting and providing constructive criticism to the new government. CRIPDES hopes that social movement members will have posts in the Funes government, but that the social movement will continue to be strong and independent from the government.
At the meeting, CRIPDES members saw six main roles for CRIPDES in the upcoming Funes administration:
1. Keep the same role, mission and vision of the social movement in organizing and defending human rights as in years past, now in a new context. Not change the structure of CRIPDES as an organization and always act independent from the state and party.
2. Act as a link between the most vulnerable sectors of society, the rural communities, and the government. Provide a way in which the rural communities can communicate with and bring their needs and demands to the government.
3. Support and back up the FMLN government, work so that the FMLN is re-elected in the next election cycle.
4. Provide constructive criticism and constant feedback to the government, demand transparency and denounce corruption in the new government.
5. Make practical proposals to the government in support of the communities, and maintain and strengthen CRIPDES organizing and advocacy so that the proposals are taken into account.
6. Take advantage of the new opportunities for expansion and funding, given the new context. Consider acting as consultants or advisers to government funded programs that fit into the CRIPDES vision of the work that CRIPDES does. Develop work in new regions on a national level.
More information about the plans of CRIPDES during the Funes administration will be available in the coming months. As many people in the U.S. say as well, we have worked to elect the president we want, now we must make sure that the changes we want will take place. In this new context, U.S. and Salvadoran social movements have a lot of similar work ahead of them.
