Subject(s): Political participation in Latin America. -- Citizens' associations in Latin America. -- Women and democracy in Latin America. -- Sustaining grass roots initiatives : Sustainability a challenge for civil organizations -- Conference proceedings : Consolidation of democracy in Americas, influencing public policy, development and fund raising, media and publicity -- Effective citizen initiatives : CONCIENCIA Argentina, LIBRA Brazil, PARTICIPA Chile, CONCIENCIA Peru -- Building public consensus : New political profiles and changing electoral tendencies in Argentina, creating consensus for economic reforms, allocating scarce financial resources in your community -- Government accountability : Government accountability to the people, keeping government accountable -- Working with the media : Uses of local media in consolidation of democracy -- Fund raising for the non profit organization : Development plan, elements of writing a successful proposal, creating fund raising consciousness in Latin America -- Consolidating democracy in Americas : Achieving sustainability linkages for north south democratic cooperation, setting the agendas- results and conclusions, -- Funding resources- sources of funding -- Educational and training resources- educational institutions and training -- Civil society organizations -- women & politics