Nicaragua
In Latin America, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA) – a cooperation organization for center-right parties in Latin America and a member of the International Democrat Union (IDU).
Population: 5,7 million (2011 estimate)
Area: 130 370 km2
GDP (PPP): 17.34 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 2 900 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 2,8 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state and head of government: Daniel Ortega Saavedra
Nicaragua formed an independent republic in 1838. In 1979 the Sandinistas ascended to power after a brief civil war. Free elections were first held in 1990 and the Sandinistas suffered a devastating defeat. This pattern was repeated in 1996 and 2001. In recent years, the situation in terms of human rights has improved significantly. The constitution guarantees freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of association, freedom of religion and freedom to convene. However, problems still remain – most pressingly that of poverty. Another problem is corruption.
Nicaragua has the most uneven income distribution in the world and it is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. The rate of economic growth has not been able to keep up with the country’s huge needs and Nicaragua is dependent on international aid. A free-trade agreement with the USA, the Dominican Republic and Central America (CAFTA) is in effect since 2006. This has expanded the opportunities for exports, mainly of products from agriculture and manifacture.
In 2005, the president and the ruling majority of the congress were involved in a power struggle which resulted in a constitutional reform that limited the president’s power. President Ortega of the socialist Sandinistas was elected head of government with 38 percent of the vote in November 2006. The most recent parliamentary elections were held in 2006. The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with Partido Conservador de Nicaragua, which has a female leader, Azalia Avilés. The party lost its parliamentary representation in the last election. The next general elexction is due to November 2011.
It is a stated goal of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation to educate female decision-makers. In the autumn of 2010, the conference Empoderamiento de Mujeres took place in Honduras. The participants came from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and the Dominican republic. Concurrently with this conference a youth conference was arranged around a Jarl Hjalmarson publication entitled “Principles for a Free Society”.
