Multiplying knowledge and skills in Peru

Public perception and approval of peruvian political parties has long been among the lowest in the region. To improve their standing, the political parties called upon International IDEA and local partner Asociación Civil Transparencia as long ago as 2002 to provide capacity building designed to strengthen political organizations. The programme was designed to improve the country’s political organizations members’ and local leaders’ knowledge on the role and responsibilities of political parties, and on women’s participation and leadership in political organizations.

Built into the programme were modules on how the participants themselves could train other members of their political organizations. Thus, by the time the second phase of the programme ended in December 2009, over 3,500 leaders had benefited directly or indirectly from the training, and at least four political organizations had implemented formal party training programmes of their own using International IDEA’s methodologies and training materials.

How did it all begin? International IDEA and Transparencia started working with the parties in 2002–2003, initially focusing on Peru’s first-ever political party law, facilitating inter-party roundtables to assist the process (see page 14). The outcomes of the collaboration in later phases of the programme have resulted in the members of national and regional parties developing their own strategies for promoting multi-party political dialogue, for consensus building and for improving the parties’ internal agendas.

Several political organizations have also organized internet based courses; the one organized by the party “Perú Posible” for instance, was regarded as ‘very successful’ by its National Secretary of Women’s Affairs, Isabel Montalvo Roel.

In 2008, around 100 women from political parties in 12 regions across the country embarked on a capacity building programme designed to equip them for political leadership, and dealing with media and equality issues. As well as strengthening their leadership capabilities and improving the quality of debate within their parties, these women have delivered replica training exercises in their own social and political organizations so that today, over 800 women have benefited.

And more recently, ahead of the 2010 general elections, International IDEA was involved in training 300 people from 42 political organizations on strengthening parties, equal opportunity, the electoral system, governance issues and economic policies. Not only has this new phase of work involved developing web-based support for the participants but this support now serves as a ‘virtual space’ (www.evirtual.com.pe/idea) for them to share their knowledge and experience among their peers.