34 – Reinforce access to information and promote the participation of Uruguayans abroad (Uruguayan diaspora)
Brief description of the commitment: this commitment aims at improving access to information for the Uruguayan diaspora by creating a centralized online access point on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This will integrate the participation of Uruguayans abroad to identify their needs and demands regarding. It will also enable mechanisms to promote diaspora participation in the design of public policies related to Uruguayan citizens residing abroad.
Organization leading the commitment: Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MRREE), General Directorate for Consular and Liaison Affairs, Liaison Directorate.
Supporting institution/organization: Advisory Councils, associations, organizations of Uruguayans abroad, Consulates and Embassies of the Republic, Agesic.
Responsible for the commitment: Ambassador Jorge Muiño, General Director for Consular and Liaison Affairs. Contact: dgconsulares.vinculacion@mrree.gub.uy.
Technical Head: Secretary Jimena Borges, Director of Outreach. Contact: vinculacion@mrree.gub.uy.
Actors
Government: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Agency for Electronic Government and Information and Knowledge Society (Agesic).
Civil Society: Advisory Councils and Associations of Uruguayans, organizations of compatriots abroad.
Other actors: Public and private research centers and civic development centers, as well as organizations linked to governance, migration and development.
Implementation period: March 2026 – December 2028.
Problem definition
What problem does the commitment intend to address?
Uruguayans residing abroad, around 600,000, have access to information and communication channels with the Uruguayan government, primarily through the Republic's consulates and embassies. However, challenges remain in ensuring more systematic, up-to-date, and reliable access to relevant information on engagement opportunities, cultural activities for the community, return programs, and various consular services, as well as in establishing a fluid and efficient dialogue with national authorities regarding the needs of the Uruguayan diaspora.
Furthermore, the absence of a legal framework enabling their participation in national elections limits their full participation in Uruguayan electoral life. The purpose is not only to establish a connection with those residing abroad, but also to create initiatives that allow them to be assisted in various situations, such as returning home, issuing or renewing documents, responding to emergencies, participating in educational and cultural activities, and participating in Uruguayan elections, which is currently prohibited since there is no legislation in that regard.
What are the causes of the problem?
The basic causes of the problem are the following:
Weakening of ties with the Uruguayan diaspora in the period 2020-2025.
Need for greater coordination in the generation and dissemination of information aimed at Uruguayans abroad.
Insufficient incorporation of digital technologies aimed at promoting citizen participation of the Uruguayan community abroad, facilitating their access to services.
Requirement for continuity and sustainability in public policies of connection and communication with the Uruguayan community abroad.
Limitations in the allocation of specific funds for the promotion of Uruguayan culture abroad.
Need to strengthen support for projects proposed by the Advisory Councils and Associations of Uruguayans, in order to reinforce their impact and scope.
Description of the commitment
What has been done so far to solve the problem?
Institutional portals with relevant information, preparation of newsletters, circulars and manuals with information regarding various documents and consular procedures.
Functioning of Advisory Councils and Associations as mechanisms for participation, and other civil organizations of Uruguayans abroad.
World Meetings of Advisory Councils and Associations in the Republic.
Communication with the diaspora by Diplomatic Missions and Consulates.
What solution does it propose?
Design and implement a centralized access point on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, based on the identified needs and information demands of the diaspora, strengthening intra-institutional coordination to provide up-to-date, high-quality information and facilitate access to services available abroad and digital services available in the country. Design and implement a dissemination plan to promote the use of this tool by its intended users.
Face-to-face consultation spaces within the framework of the world meetings of the advisory councils and associations of Uruguayans abroad established by law, virtual consultations with the diaspora, consultations with the highly qualified diaspora, coordination with consular offices and diplomatic missions and the surveyed through the registration of Uruguayans abroad, to contribute to the design of public policies.
Prepare an accountability report and public policy recommendations.
What are the Expected resultss regarding the implementation of this commitment?
A greater and better access to updated and quality public information, through the publication of content on the Institutional Platform regarding services, procedures and programs aimed at Uruguayans abroad.
Increased participation of citizens residing abroad in national domestic affairs through two-way exchange mechanisms: consultations, surveys, virtual and face-to-face forums, strengthening the participation of the diaspora in matters of national interest.
Improvement in the time and efficiency of procedures related to Uruguayans residing abroad.
To reinforce the links between the Uruguayan State and the diaspora, by preparing and publishing an annual accountability report on the consultations received and the information disseminated, with public access from the Institutional Platform.
Data generation to improve public migration and linkage policies.
Commitment analysis
How will the commitment promote transparency?
Commitment will contribute to the principle of transparency of Open Government by ensuring that Uruguayans abroad have access to clear, up-to-date and reliable public information, centralized in the Institutional Platform of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, related to procedures, services, programs and policies, which will improve the diaspora's reliance on the actions of the State.
How will the commitment help foster accountability?
Commitment will promote accountability by making verifiable information available in a single official and accessible space through periodic publications, monitoring diaspora inquiries and demands, recording responses provided, and centralizing data on consular procedures and services carried out from abroad, allowing citizens to know the results of the management, evaluate them, and exercise informed control.
How will the commitment improve citizen participation in defining, implementing, and monitoring solutions?
The commitment will improve the civic participation of Uruguayan citizens abroad by improving online consultation mechanisms to gather input from the diaspora on services, programs, and policies.
From the beginning of the process, the active participation of Advisory Councils, Associations and other actors of civil society are promoted, which will be convened and consulted, creating spaces for dialogue and fluid participation and guaranteeing access to information and two-way communication.
Milestone | Milestone description | Expected results | Completion date | Leading Institution |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Identifying information of interest, demands and needs of the diaspora, through consultations with interested actors. | Report with identified information and communication needs. | March 2026 | MRREE |
2 | Design and implement a centralized online access point for information access | Platform with systematized and updated information on consular services, programs, return procedures, and cultural activities. | December 2026 | MRREE |
3 | Implement mechanisms to involve Uruguayans abroad in the country. | Implementation of at least two annual online consultation and feedback sessions with the diaspora. | December 2027 | MRREE |
4 | Design and implement a dissemination plan.
| Use of consular channels, digital channels and active community networks. | June 2028 | MRREE |
5 | Accountability and recommendations. | Final report with recommendations based on the data collected and diaspora participation. Dissemination of results. | December 2028 | MRREE |