LASPAU Launches Collaboration with Meridiano in Paraguay

LASPAU has initiated activities in a new collaborative effort with Meridiano, a nongovernmental organization (NGO) committed to working toward social change in Paraguay. The organization has four principal areas of focus: political and institutional reforms, economic policy, social change, and sustainable development.

The relationship had its beginnings in March of 2002. At that time, Meridiano’s general manager, R. Rodriguez Silvero, was serving as a fellow in the Eisenhower Fellowship’s Multi Nation Program, which each year enables 25 leaders from around the world to meet with CEOs, entrepreneurs, journalists, academic leaders, and government officials throughout the United States. LASPAU was one of the organizations visited by Silvero in the course of his fellowship.

In August 2002, James Ito-Adler, LASPAU’s program officer for Paraguay, visited Meridiano in Asunción. In addition to discussing ideas for a future collaboration, Ito-Adler traveled with Meridiano staff members to Filadelfia in the central Gran Chaco region to participate in a conference that addressed regional development issues.

This led to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between LASPAU and Meridiano for an initial phase of collaboration. LASPAU is assisting Meridiano in its efforts to seek financial support for its organizational development and for project activities in rural development.

During a subsequent trip to Asunción in March 2003, Ito-Adler met with Meridiano staff and members of the Board of Directors to report on activities to date and plan future efforts. It was agreed that LASPAU will serve as a portal, linking Meridiano with potential partners in the United States, Latin America, and Europe.

Meridiano has been carrying out activities in accordance with its mission and vision, both by itself and in joint ventures with other NGOs, private sector businesses, and the public sector. These activities include the design and implementation of sponsored projects, such as technical assistance to peasant farmers for organic production. Other efforts, such as the Meridiano publications series, are aimed at affecting public opinion and encouraging public policy proposals to improve competitiveness.