In a program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Quito, in cooperation with the General Consulate in Guayaquil, the U.S. Collaborative Governance and Citizen’s Participation expert, Cristina Rodriguez, held workshops in Duran, Guayaquil, and Ambato in order to share experiences surrounding the best practices in municipal government, in fundraising, and in innovative ways to provide services and ensure greater participation of citizens in municipal decisions.
In Duran, with the co-sponsorship of the Municipality, Cristina Rodriguez shared information with approximately 120 representatives from different areas on municipality techniques and her experience in evaluating successfully implemented practices in several municipalities across Latin America. Apart from the workshops, Rodriguez visited various local communities to observe their management and analyze their urban revitalization.
Rodriguez also took this visit to Guayaquil as a chance to meet with representatives from different civil society organizations, with whom she discussed the different ways in which civil society can collaborate with local governments to improve management and to seek innovative solutions to common problems.
The workshop in Ambato, held under the joint auspices of the Technical University of Ambato, was attended by approximately 70 people including mayors, chairmen of parish councils, and the president of the Association of Municipalities of Ecuador (AME.)
Rodriguez has worked as Deputy Director of the Institute of Public and Community Services at Florida International University since July of 1994. She is responsible for implementing, coordinating, and managing the various technical assistance projects of the Institute.
