SOCIUS was launched by the British Council in 2002 in Argentina to develop a network of professionals committed to reform for positive social change in Latin America and in the United Kingdom. The regional seminar series has brought together policy makers and practitioners, non- governmental bodies and community organisations, academics and the media to consider key challenges for governance and democracy.
SOCIUS regional seminars have been held in Argentina on Accountability and Transparency, in Mexico on Civil Service Reform, in Peru on Access to Information, in Chile on Political Party Financing and in Colombia on Citizenship and Human Rights Education.
SOCIUS UK 2005 is the final seminar in the series. It developed the issues discussed at previous seminars by focusing on the theme of trust between citizens and government.
Trust between government and citizen is central to achieving long term economic and social prosperity, yet polling evidence in Latin America and the UK suggests that we are increasingly mistrustful of public institutions. Lack of trust affects the ability of government to implement difficult but necessary reforms which may be unpopular. It can impact upon the way governments provide security, for example when they claim to be acting on secret intelligence in curtailing basic rights and freedoms. While the media may exacerbate the lack of trust they do not manufacture it – secrecy, inefficiency, political manipulation exclusion and even corruption are aspects of political life in Latin America and the UK.
SOCIUS UK addressed a set of questions crucial for the promotion of trust
- providing justice, rights and the rule of law
- securing transparent and accountable government
- promoting public service reform and effective government
- ensuring political participation and inclusion
The conference programme was structured to enable participants to engage with common challenges and to share case studies of practice which can support enhanced public confidence and healthy mistrust.
Each theme was introduced from both a UK and a Latin American perspective. The overview addressed the principles that govern the theme, the institutions that can support reform and the cultural challenge involved in securing change. Breakout groups explored each theme in more detail.
Copies of presentations for each theme can be seen here
The SOCIUS UK seminar report containing a summary of comments and conclusions can be downloaded from this page.
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