Results Report: Sub-regional IV program

UNCLAS QUITO 002892 SIPDIS DEPT FOR ECA/PE/V/G/W, WHA/PDA; WHA/AND GUAYAQUIL FOR NOUHRA AMEMBASSIES FOR PAO/CAO E.O. 12958: TAGS: SCUL EC KPAO OEXC SUBJECT: Results Report: Sub-regional IV program "Transparency and Good Governance" for Andean Municipal Leaders, Sept. 19-Oct. 7 REFTEL: A) Quito 1386 B) Quito 2704 ¶1. Summary: Esmeraldas Mayor Ernesto Estupinan found the program on "Transparency and Good Governance" to be useful overall, but noted that the program lacked focus on issues of direct relevance to mayors. He felt this was a significant weakness, and that future programs should include meetings with U.S. mayors on such specific topics as waste management, infrastructure and other responsibilities shared by municipal leaders. End Summary. ¶2. Date: September 19-October 7, 2005, fourth quarter, FY 05. ¶3. MPP Theme and Audience Reached: Strengthening Democracy. ¶4. Justification and Objective: See reftel. ¶5. Description of Activity: Three-week program for Andean municipal leaders on "Transparency and Good Governance." Visitors traveled to Washington, D.C., Boston, MA; Kansas City, MO; Denver, CO; and Atlanta, GA. ¶6. Result/Impact: Good. Highlights follow: Ernesto Estupinan, mayor of largely Afro-Ecuadorian Esmeraldas, reported that the trip was a positive experience overall. (Note: Ref B contains the Results Report from a second Ecuadorian participant in the program, Alberto Coles). Estupinan noted that it was valuable to get an overview of the representative democracy practiced in the U.S., and said he now has a much better understanding of how various levels of government function. Simply being in the U.S. with fellow mayors of Andean countries was beneficial. However, he said he felt the program was not sufficiently tailored to the interests of the participants, i.e. mayors of Andean towns. He would have like more substantive discussions with U.S. mayors on topics that confront all municipal governments such as waste management, transportation, maintaining infrastructure and other city services. He regretted that there were not more opportunities to exchange ideas with U.S. mayors, to discuss common challenges and to share common solutions. He felt that "though our systems of government are different, the problems are the same." Mr. Estupinan also would have liked to meet with multilateral institutions and NGOs, particularly those that have programs in Ecuador. He wanted to find out more about what programs are available in Ecuador. The mayor felt that some of the topics in the program were of little interest to mayors, though when asked he could not cite any examples. Overall, the trip was "a positive experience" despite what Mr. Estupinan saw as some weaknesses. He is in contact with the participants from other Andean cities, and hopes they will come to Carnival in Esmeraldas. ¶7. Media Coverage: N/A. ¶8. Non-USG Support: N/A. 9.Quality of Support: Excellent. The participant said the program was well-organized and the participants "very well cared for." JEWELL