Making decisions together
The Civil Rights and Citizenship Program helps reorganize community councils in the Southern Lowlands of Bahia to ensure that civil society plays a greater role
written by ◦ Bruno Galba photos by ◦ Christian Cravo

In October, voters from the 11 municipalities in the Southern Lowlands of Bahia chose their municipal representatives – mayors and city councilors – through a direct-voting system. The power of choosing the government is still one of the most symbolic and expressive acts in a democracy, but it is not the only one. Brazil’s 1988 Constitution decentralizes government authority by creating municipal councils. The councils are made up of equal numbers of representatives of the government and civil society who meet to discuss and deliberate on public policies concerning several areas of society. Because they are so representative, these councils have become legitimate spaces for the community to play a decisive role.

In 2000, the Institute for the Sustainable Development of the Southern Lowlands of Bahia (IDES) conducted a survey to assess the operations of these municipal councils in the Southern Lowlands in the areas of Education, Health, Social Assistance, and Children’s and Adolescents’ Rights. The study showed that, in general, the councils were disorganized and inefficient, and their local communities knew little about them. “These entities had to be restructured and get the community involved. That is why the Civil Rights and Citizenship Program was created,” explains Liliana Leite, the executive director of the Civil Rights and Citizenship Institute, which is responsible for coordinating the program.

Created in 2001 with funding from the BNDES, Brazil’s national economic and social development bank, the program identified community leaders (presidents of associations and religious and cultural groups) and young protagonists to form Pro-Citizenship Commissions, which are forums for debating the municipality’s problems. ”These commissions are driven by the spirit of cooperation. We seek to integrate members of government and the community in order to come up with solutions,” says Liliana.

Maria Celeste de Jesus, 22, has taken part in these commissions and seen significant changes. In the town where she lives, Presidente Tancredo Neves, the Municipal Council for Children’s and Adolescents’ Rights (CMDCA) existed only on paper, in a municipal decree, because it was completely inactive. “We helped bring back the Council with the help of the community, which embraced this project,” she recalls. Now that the CMDCA is fully operational, by 2005 Tancredo Neves will have its own Tutelary Council, which will receive reports of threats and violations of the rights of children and adolescents and demand solutions.

The municipality of Igrapiúna was in a similar situation until 2003, when the town’s first Tutelary Council was created. Councilor Tânia Moreira Lima, 37, is proud of her work to ensure the welfare of children and adolescents. “Our most important role has been making parents aware of their responsibility for the family.”

A joint program organized by the Justice Department and the Civil Rights and Citizenship Program provided training for 250 councilors in the Southern Lowlands to ensure that they do their work with the requisite quality. All of them have gone through an educational process covering themes such as the basic functions of municipal councilors, specific knowledge about each council’s role, and basic concepts of strategic planning. “It was a team effort. The Justice Ministry provided technical knowledge and the PDC provided the teaching method,” says Edivaldo Bispo, the district attorney for Camamu. ”This training was important for the young people too. They gained a broader vision of civil rights and responsibilities and will make a big difference in this municipality when they grow up.”

Tatiane Lima Moreno, 22, took part in Camamu’s Pro-Citizenship Commission and is now an outstanding student in her college, where she is studying business administration. “I have a totally different outlook today. My teachers always say I have a lot of potential.” She plans to become a councillor one day.

Once the councils have been organized, the IDC will go on to face even bigger challenges. In 2005, the institution will coordinate a program called Tribute to the Future, to strengthen the Municipal Funds for Children and Adolescents in the Southern Lowlands.

Federal Law no. 8242/91 on the Statute for Children and Adolescents permits donations of a portion of Income Tax Owed (up to 6% for individuals and 1% for businesses) to these funds. The money raised from income tax donations is used to finance social programs for children and young people. In this case, the projects are part of the Program for the Regional, Integrated, Sustainable Development of the Southern Lowlands (PDRIS). “The law ensures that taxpayers can choose which area and project they are supporting,” says Liliana Leite. “This enables private citizens and companies to keep track of how the money is being invested in social programs.”

Although the law has been in effect for 14 years, it is little used. Just 2.3% of Brazilian businesses use it to support social projects. The Federation of Industries of Rio Grande do Sul (FIERGS) encourages businesses in that state make contributions through that system, and has raised BRL 20 million this year alone. The state’s fund-raising potential is estimated to be BRL 100 million. The Odebrecht Foundation plans to reapply this model in the state of Bahia, which has untapped potential on a level with Rio Grande do Sul’s. The first step will be to mobilize the Odebrecht Group and its members, beginning in 2005.