Guatemala : Indicators

The System of Development Councils (SISCODE) ensures that there is a formal procedure for consultation on implementation of forest policy and law, while the FAO financed PFN´s National Forest Agenda creates a series of informal consultation methods which evaluate forest policies and laws and that suggest improvements. The procedures have not been translated into indigenous languages, but there are several institutions which provide summarised information for a wider public.

There are a number of social participation forums related to the forest sector, including SISCODE, which is the formal consultation procedure regulated by the Law on Development Councils, operating at national, regional, departmental, municipal and community levels; and the Forest Coordination Roundtables created by the National Forest Agenda, which are informal forums at a regional level. The purpose of these mechanisms, both formal and informal, is to act as consultation processes so that civil society can influence the laws, norms and policies being discussed that are relevant to the forest sector.

SISCODE should update its website (http://sistemas.segeplan.gob.gt/siscodew/ddpgpl$modulo.nacional) with all relevant reports, briefs and documents of all of the various councils at the different levels; but to date only the national council has such information. Consequently, an assessment of how forest issues are dealt with in other councils cannot be carried out, because of lack of access to information, and the representative nature of these councils cannot be assessed.

Regarding the informal participation forums that exist, there is information on the National Forest Programme website (http://www.pfnguate.org/pages/foros_regionales.htm), although it is by no means exhaustive. One problem with this informal mechanism is that there is still no national forum with formalised participation and consultation procedures specific to the forest sector. Such a forum, although stipulated as an objective of the National Forest Agenda, is still being developed, despite 10 years of planning.