22 January 2019, Quito, Ecuador- The International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders in Quito (CIFAL Quito) jointly with the Consortium of Provincial Autonomous Governments of Ecuador (CONGOPE), the Local Governments Association of Ecuador, the National Electoral Council and the Democracy Institute hosted “The New Role of Local Authorities in Elections” in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca, Ecuador.

These conferences aimed at strengthening the capacities of Decentralised Local Governments towards the 2019 municipal elections in Ecuador. They gathered 500 participants, including candidates and current local authorities, as well as civil society members.

These events counted with the participation of speakers specialised on electoral issues, as well as the heads of different civil society organisations.

In addition, during the same week, CIFAL Quito and CONGOPE held a Dialogue on “Economic Perspectives for 2019” in Quito and Guayaquil, Ecuador.

This event convened local government authorities and candidates for local government offices with the objective of strengthening their knowledge in current and relevant issues related to the economy.

CONGOPE and CIFAL Quito brought together specialists in the matter such as Mr. Julio Prado – President of the Association of Banks of Ecuador, and renowned Ecuadorian economists such as Alberto Acosta, Pedro Páez, among others.

During the event, the speakers analysed and presented an economic forecast and provided examples of local strategies that could be implemented in the cities and provinces of Ecuador.

Approximately 250 participants attended the events.

Photo 1: Mr. Edwin Mino, Executive Director of CIFAL Quito, giving his keynote address during the Dialogue “The New Role of Local Authorities in Elections” 

Photo 2: Speaker during his presentation on the Ecuadorian economy towards municipal elections 2019