DI Development, a business of DynCorp International, works as an implementing partner with USAID on the Paraguay Threshold II Program. In the approximately four years that DI Development has been working on this program, tremendous progress has been made.

The field of democracy and governance is a dynamic and intangible concept which can be challenging for development professionals to measure in terms of successful results.  At its core, democracy and governance work attempts to alter behaviors.  More specifically, in our democracy and governance program, the goal is to change how individuals react while public sphere circumstances remain static in hopes of creating a more transparent public sector.

As the DI Development team in Paraguay works on the latest components in the Threshold Program, it’s important to reflect on the progress that may not be measured quantitatively, but is surely making a difference for the citizens of Paraguay.

In the USAID publication, Frontlines, DI Development’s work in the Threshold program is highlighted.  DI Development helped strengthen the judiciary system in Paraguay by establishing an Office of Complaints for the Supreme Court and Judicial Audit Office which have the ability to investigate and recommend sanctions against judges and justice-related professionals.

“To us, it was really blessed … the creation of this department of judicial audit,” said Olga Torres de Fernandez, a Paraguayan citizen who successfully convicted local doctors for medical negligence after more than four years of her trial being suspended.

“We found out that there was an office which could receive [claims] and that could also act… not only against attorneys, but also against judges that also fall into these kinds of legal chicanery,” Torres said. “We requested help from the audit office through a note, and, for us, it was a true blessing that, thanks to that, the necessary diligence was immediately performed.”

According to USAID, “during the past year, almost 1,200 claims have been filed at this office against judges, judicial staff, and attorneys, many of which resulted in sanctions.”