Ecuador votes on foreign military bases, President Noboa says needed to combat crime – France 24

Ecuadoran Referendum: Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Report on National Vote and Alignment with SDG 16

A national referendum was held in Ecuador on Sunday, presenting voters with key proposals that carry significant implications for the nation’s progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

• The referendum addresses the potential re-establishment of foreign military bases.
• Voters are deciding on the mandate to draft a new national constitution.
• The outcome could expand the executive powers of the current administration.

Security Measures and Sustainable Communities (SDG 11 & 16)

The proposal to permit foreign military bases is framed as a measure to enhance national security, directly impacting goals for peaceful and safe societies.

1. Alignment with SDG 16.1: The initiative aims to reduce violence and combat organized crime, contributing to the goal of significantly reducing all forms of violence.
2. Impact on SDG 11: Enhanced security is a prerequisite for making cities and human settlements safe and sustainable, a core target of SDG 11.
3. Challenges to National Sovereignty: The measure also raises questions regarding national sovereignty and the long-term stability of institutions, a key consideration under SDG 16.

Constitutional Reform and Institutional Integrity (SDG 16)

The call for a new constitution and the potential consolidation of presidential power are central to the framework of governance and institutional accountability.

• SDG Target 16.6: The process of constitutional reform will fundamentally shape the development of effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels.
• SDG Target 16.7: The referendum itself is an exercise in participatory decision-making, but the potential outcomes will determine the future of responsive, inclusive, and representative governance in Ecuador.

Analysis of SDGs in the Article

1. Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Based on the article’s content, the primary SDG addressed is:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Explanation: The article discusses a national vote in Ecuador on two key issues: drafting a new constitution and allowing the return of foreign military bases. These topics are directly related to the core principles of SDG 16, which focuses on building peaceful, just, and inclusive societies with effective, accountable institutions at all levels. The process of amending a constitution and debating national security policy through a public referendum are fundamental aspects of governance and institutional strength.

2. Specific SDG Targets Identified

The following specific targets under SDG 16 can be identified from the article’s content:

1. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Explanation: The vote on “the drafting of a new constitution that could give the country’s… president… more power” directly concerns the structure and accountability of national governance institutions. Changing a constitution is a primary mechanism for reforming how institutions function.
2. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article’s opening sentence, “Ecuadorans began voting on Sunday,” explicitly describes a national referendum. This is a direct example of a participatory decision-making process where citizens are involved in shaping national policy.
3. Target 16.a: Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels… to prevent violence and combat… crime.
   • Explanation: The vote on whether “to allow the return of foreign military bases” relates to international cooperation for security purposes. Such arrangements are often established to build the capacity of national institutions to handle security threats, which aligns with the objective of this target.

3. Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article does not mention any explicit quantitative indicators. However, the events described imply qualitative indicators that could be used to measure progress towards the identified targets:

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.7: The existence of the national referendum itself serves as a qualitative indicator of a mechanism for participatory and representative decision-making. The official voter turnout and the results of the vote would be the quantitative data points for official indicators like 16.7.2 (Proportion of population who believe decision-making is inclusive and responsive), although the article does not provide this data.
• Implied Indicator for Target 16.6: The process of “drafting of a new constitution” is an indicator of institutional reform. The successful adoption and implementation of a new constitution would be a key milestone for measuring progress toward developing more effective institutions. The article only notes the beginning of this process.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: france24.com