BOND LACG Meeting 7th Feb 2008
Present
Maria Cavatore, Womankind Worldwide
Jarina Choudhury, BOND
Gaby Drinkwater, Peru Support Group
Janet Glover, Sense International
Andres Gomez de la Torre, Childhope UK
Gaia Gozzo, CARE International
Jasmine Huggins, Christian Aid
Nicholas Kafka, Teach a Man to Fish
Rebecca Lee, Leonard Cheshire
Helen Nash, Toybox
Belisario, Progressio
Johanna Norrdahl, Mercy Corps Scotland
Erika Paez-Manjarres, International HIV/AIDS
Alliance
Maria Pilar Riano, INTERED UK
Katherine Ronderos, CAWN
Glevys Rondon, Latin American Mining
Monitoring Project
Sanna Stockstrom, HelpAge International
Alex Tilley, Bolivia Information Forum
Samira Yussuf, CODA International
Apologies
Anamaria Bejar, International HIV/AIDS
Alliance
Stephanie Brookes, Healthlink Worldwide
Andy Croggon, Christian Aid
Clare Dixon, CAFOD
Robert Gillen, World Vision UK
Philip Hand, Sightsavers International
Susana Klien, Womankind Worldwide
Chris MacLullich, SCIAF
Sonia Martins, LEPRA
Angela Murray, Toybox
1. Update on DFID meeting between LAC PPA groups and Paul Spray
Gaia reported to the group on the meeting the day before:
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Paul Spray followed up on the letter sent to LAC from DFID’s Shahid Malik, giving
more detail around the political action being taken.
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Shahid Malik had previously contacted CARE, assuring them of DFID’s ongoing
commitment to Latin America
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There was a general feeling of disappointment among the group. Although DFID has
pledged a little more money to Latin America and continually reiterates its commitment
to the region, this money will be going through the IFIs which worries LACG.
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Added to this, there is currently no RAP for the region, or any suggestion that there will
be one. It was felt that it will be very difficult for DFID to have a positive effect in the
region given the reduced funding, the office closures and the lack of RAP.

There is particular concern that the LAC office in London is facing possible closure

Before Gordon Brown became PM, Latin America was higher on the agenda and there
was progress being made by LACG with DFID – however, since the change in
leadership Latin America seems to be sliding further down the agenda.

There is currently no clarity on how the money will be spent.
It seems that the decisions about Latin America have already been taken. In light of this, the
question is how can we engage proactively with this decision?
There could be an opportunity for PPA NGOs working in Latin America?
Who will we engage with if there is no DFID London office?
2. Reply to the letter LAC BOND received from Shahid Malik
Andres pointed out that a DFID survey had recently been emailed round to assess how
people perceive DFIDs relationship with NGOs and CSOs – he will forward this on.
Jasmine pointed out that we won’t do ourselves any favours by trying to reverse decisions
that have already been made. She suggested that the main issue should be the closure of the
London office as this would have a huge impact on our relationship and dialogue with DFID.
Issues to raise with DFID:
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How will we engage with DFID if there is no London office?
The lack of a new RAP
A statement of intention on how they intend to work in Latin America in the future
Further clarification of the contents of Shahid’s letter – time frames/funding procedures
etc
DFID have offered increased funding to Latin America, but it’s not just about funding
but about their presence in and relationship with Latin America
There was no mention of the Caribbean in the letter
How do the proposals fit in with DFID’s long term commitment to poverty reduction?
What role can we have to monitor or to play a role in the effectiveness of funding, if it is
to go through the IFIs?
IFIs are not transparent or held accountable; they do not benefit the people we are
working with. How can civil society influence these donors?
Jasmine, Belisario and Sanna will meet to draft the letter.
3. The December workshop – what next?
The different sections have been put together, but the contents need commenting on,
collating and harmonising. We need to make sure the format is consistent and that the
document makes sense.
Comments can be sent to the different groups:
Poverty & Inequality
Governance
Marginalised & Excluded groups
Environment
Gender
Trade
Gaia (CARE International)
Sonia (LEPRA)
Angela & Helen (Toybox)
Belisario (Progressio)
Katherine (CAWN) and CODA
Jasmine (Christian Aid)
We will need funding for a consultant to edit the document. Suggestions for a consultant to
be sent to Gaia, with their CV, in two weeks.
Document to be ready middle to end of March in time for the Lima EU Summit (EU website for
the summit is http://ec.europa.eu/world/lac/ and the Peru website is
http://www.vcumbrealcue.org/website/index.php ).
The document will ensure that we have a united, positive contribution to make.
It was decided that before we proceed too much further, we need to have a better
understanding of how we will best be able to use the document.
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talk to BOND about having someone come and talk to us about the EU and the best
strategy for engagement with it
Deadline for comments: Friday 7th March
4. EC proposal on raising awareness
It was decided that perhaps it was too early for BOND LACG to be thinking about this
5. The Lima EU Summit
The two main themes of the summit will be Poverty, Inequality & Inclusion, and Sustainable
Development: Climate change, Environment and Energy
Oxfam have produced tools to help understand how the EU works. Belisario will look into
distributing these.
6. Graham Green proposal to meet with NGOs interested in PS and Market Access
Gaia to find out if he is still interested.
Next Meeting: Thursday 3rd April.
Agenda:
Presentation by BOND on the EU
Update on the development of the advocacy document
Reply to Shahid Malik