The document summarizes Prof. Stephen Beaumont's presentation on the role of non-profit/non-governmental organizations in recent political shifts in Argentina, Brazil, and Venezuela. It discusses the electoral changes in leadership and subsequent corruption allegations in each country. It notes that NGOs have played a relevant role in supporting both ruling parties and opposition, though their involvement in government issues predates some nations' independence. The presentation examines the implications of civic and political engagement being manipulated for partisan interests and aims to strengthen democratic practices.

1. Centro de Tecnología para el Desarrollo
Buenos Aires - Argentina
www.cented.org.ar info@cented.org.ar +54 11 4711 0334
“Recent changes in South American
political leaderships: the role of nonprofit /
nongovernment organizations in the
cases of Argentina, Brazil and Venezuela”
Prof. Dr. Stephen
Beaumont

2. The recent shifts in direction in South
American politics, in general, are having
and will have a profound effect on the
region in years to come. Particularly, we will
look at three potentially turbulent
scenarios:
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

3. -The electoral triumph in Argentina of President
Mauricio Macri in 2015 and the subsequent
accusations of corruption in the previous
administration
-The impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma
Rousseff in 2016 for similar charges
-The 2017 ongoing crisis in Venezuela where
opposition politicians are denouncing a “self
coup d’état” by President Nicolás Maduro for
virtually foreclosing the “National Assembly”
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

4. In these three scenarios, nonprofit / nongovernment
organizations (NPOs / NGOs) have had a relevant,
yet different, role. The involvement of these
organizations with state affairs is nothing new to
Latin American government issues, in fact the origin
of some NPOs / NGOs dates back to the 1700´s
which is even prior to the independence of the
nations themselves. But in these recent years, these
organizations have acted and been used for and
against the different political factions, both ruling
and opposition parties.
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

5. Argentina
Nestor Kirchner (2003-2007)
Cristina Fernandez (2007-2015)
Mauricio Macri (2005-….)
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

6. Brasil
Luiz Inácio "Lula" da Silva (2003 – 2010)
Dilma Rousseff (20011 – 2016)
Michel Temer (2016 - ….)
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

7. Venezuela
Hugo Rafael Chávez (1999 – 2013)
Nicolás Maduro (2013 - ….)
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

8. In your personal opinion, what degree of
confidence does each of the sectors named
below generate?
State 4,1
Church 6,5
Business companies 6,7
Press / media 7,2
NGOs 7.8
(CENTED, 2015)
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

9. CONCLUSION
The blend between civic, political and
community engagement create a synergy that
should, in an ultimate degree, strengthen
democratic practices but unfortunately are
sometimes manipulated into partisan interests.
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont – CENTED - www.cented.org
Fifteenth International Conference on
New Directions in the Humanities

10. Centro de Tecnología para el Desarrollo
Buenos Aires - Argentina
www.cented.org.ar info@cented.org.ar (Spanish)
www.cented.org info@cented.org (English)
+54 11 4711 0334
Prof. Dr. Stephen Beaumont