MEL International Consulting
ACTORES DE CAMBIO
Actors of Change: Expanding Freedom of Expression in Central America
CLIENT: Hivos Central America
ORIGIN OF FUNDS: Swedish International Development Agency - SIDA
REGION: Central America
COUNTRIES: Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala
SERVICE: MEL-SA
SECTOR: Human Rights, Advocacy, Arts, Journalism
DURATION OF THE PROJECT: 4 years
DESCRIPTION
The "Actors of Change Program: expanding the horizon of freedom of expression in Central America" is a 4-year project (2012-2015), funded by the Swedish Agency for International Development Cooperation (SIDA), with the objective that journalists , cultural activists and human rights defenders (agents of change) in Central America will benefit from greater security when doing their work and better opportunities for free expression. Specifically, it aims to: a) Improve the forms of expression for change actors, b) Improve security and access to justice for change actors, and c) Human rights organizations strengthen their interaction capabilities. with the Social Media.
To contribute to the achievement of these objectives, MEL International Consulting provides services that include the design of SEA matrices. In particular, MEL IC has been contracted to carry out the following tasks:
1. Prepare a set of qualitative indicators with a gender perspective, which allow the change actors to evaluate the state of freedom of expression in Central America;
2. Provide a series of recommendations for the efficient implementation of the indicators.
3. Submit progress and final reports of the Consultancy, and an audiovisual presentation of the findings, conclusions and recommendations
IMPACT
The consultancy "Indicators of the State of Freedom of Expression in the Culture, Communication and the defense of human rights in Central America", carried out between April and June 2015, has provided more than 60 organizations of journalists, cultural activists and human rights defenders in Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador and Costa Rica a coherent and viable set of qualitative and quantitative indicators that allow them to systematize the state of freedom of expression in the Central American region in the fields of culture, social communication and the defense of human rights.
The SEA system developed by MEL International Consulting for the Program has provided clues to understand the set of causes and implications of the context for the safety of human rights defenders (s) and for the exercise of freedom of expression in Central America.
A fieldwork with interviews and focus groups with representatives of 34 participating organizations in Nicaragua, Guatemala and Honduras has led to the identification of 60 indicators in 5 areas of relevance to freedom of expression in the arts, communication and the defense of human rights : the Legal Framework, the Property Regime, Access and Use of communication systems, Access to public information and State transparency, Censorship and self-censorship, Security. An area of Strengthening freedom of expression was also identified to measure the change in ideas, attitudes and practices of Central American society and its organizations.
The indicators have allowed change actors to think in strategic and operational terms, developing a regional vision to improve the possibilities for strengthening spaces for freedom of expression and the security of human rights defenders in Central America.
PRODUCTS
SEA Matrix of State Indicators of Freedom of Expression in Central America