Argentina: A Development Overview

Just the name Argentina evokes an assortment of historical images and names – from Eva Peron to the futbolista Maradona; from the proud horse riding gauchos to the passionate tango. For some, the unparalleled wonders of Patagonia represent the most striking naturally beauty in the world. The shadow of Argentina, however, tells a very different story about the country and its history. Argentina endured severe hardship in recent decades and the nation struggles to rectify the impact of the thousands whom “disappeared” during the violent military dictatorship, the desperation caused by the 2001 economic crisis, and the clash of classes between indigenous groups and descendants of Spain. This full spectrum of light and dark makes Argentina one of the more fascinating development stories

The economic crisis of 2001, one of the largest in modern world history and by far the biggest shock in the Latin America region, left the country with over 50% of the population unemployed and a poverty rate of over 60% in urban areas. By 2003, the recovery began and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreed to a vital new loan. Argentina proceeded to restructure its massive debt, offer creditors new bonds for the defaulted ones, and repay its debt to the IMF. But with poverty still rife, many Argentines still await the benefits of the economic upturn. Although the government is applying emergency social programs to alleviate the poor conditions of its people, Argentina’s lack of jobs, high debt, and inability of the people to adjust with their “new poor” lifestyle is making the process difficult.

The most unique condition of Argentina’s 50 plus percent poverty rate following the crisis is that it created a “new” kind of poor – a highly educated middle class that lost its privilege and was forced to live with a greatly reduced quality of life. This new poor amplified the presence of social movements and political expression, triggering a rebirth of the ideals espoused by Juan Peron and his authoritarian rule over Argentina a half century ago. Well educated and severely discontent, the “new poor” is taking things into their own hands through organization, solidarity, and civil disobedience. With masses of Argentines coming together to find solutions on their own, the country is growing into a rich resource for nonprofit development and grass roots movements. This thriving culture of people’s movements gives FSD interns and volunteers a unique opportunity to participate and learn from real, new, and creative ideas in the realm of sustainable development initiatives.

In addition to the 2001 economic crisis fueling the instability of Argentina, the unresolved wounds of a seven year violent dictatorship remains like knife, ripping the country apart. Although the “dirty war” ended over twenty years ago, the legacy of its reckless military rule from 1976-1983 remains an open wound throughout the country. The fate of the tens of thousands of desaparecidos – or people who disappeared as a result of their opposition to the government – is still unclear. Immunity laws, which protected former junta members from prosecution, were recently rescinded, giving new hope of healing for the country. Argentina’s recent legacy, marked by enormous human rights violations and silent political suffering, is in dire need of national accountability, reparations to its victims, and assurance that it will never happen again – “nunca más.”

FSD partners with a diverse group of organizations that work in different ways to find sustainable solutions to Argentina’s most urgent needs and instabilities. Examples include:

⋅Human Rights Organizations founded by the families of the victims of the “dirty war”
⋅Organizations working to remind Argentines of their culture and deal with their new place in the world of poverty
⋅Groups confronting the nations lack of social safety net infrastructure
⋅Centers providing meals to entire communities and after school programs for children
⋅Organizations that deliver capacity building workshops and give skills to the new unemployed mass
⋅Groups that confront environmental awareness in schools and businesses
⋅Centers of research that provide small initiatives and entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed through micro-enterprise
⋅Organizations that promote health education and provide community resources
⋅Environmental Research Organizations

In order to bring into clearer context the developmental issues confronting Argentina, FSD has separated them into seven different areas---- Micro-enterprise/Microfinance, Health, Environment, Human Rights, Youth and Education , Women’s Empowerment, and Community Development. Although all areas are interconnected and dependent upon each other, focusing on them separately may lift the fog of confusion that surrounds Argentina’s underdevelopment.

For more about subject-specific development issues and internship/volunteer opportunities in Argentina, click on the links below:

Micro-enterprise/Microfinance ▪ Environment ▪ Health ▪ Youth and Education

Women's Empowerment ▪ Community Development ▪ Human Rights