Voices from the Field
Through the eyes of local experts and actors, ConstitutionNet’s ‘Voices from the Field’ series offers a monthly look at constitution building processes as they are unfolding on the ground around the world. Contributions take the form of interviews with, and opinion pieces from, constitutional experts, lawyers, practitioners and other engaged citizens in the field for a fresh and original look at issues of importance to local populations during the drafting, adoption and implementation of constitutions.
![photo credit: The Philippine Star photo credit: The Philippine Star](/sites/default/files/VFTF%20Business%20Interests.jpg)
Voices From The Field
31 March 2023
The Latest Attempt at Charter Change in the Philippines: Prospects and Concerns
![Posters urging rejection of the measures in the 5 February 2023 omnibus referendum stating "Punish Lasso, Vote No" (photo credit: Prensa Latina) Posters urging rejection of the measures in the 5 February 2023 omnibus referendum stating "Punish Lasso, Vote No" (photo credit: Prensa Latina)](/sites/default/files/1.%20VFTF%20Poster%20for%20No%20%28photo%20credit_%20Prensa%20Latina%29.jpg)
Voices From The Field
28 March 2023
A Tale of Failed Reforms: the Ecuadorian Referendum and Political Fallout
![Prime Minister James Marape launches Review of the Form and System of Government, 15 February 2023 (photo credit: Papua New Guinea Constitutional & Law Reform Commission - CLRC via Facebook) Prime Minister James Marape launches Review of the Form and System of Government, 15 February 2023 (photo credit: Papua New Guinea Constitutional & Law Reform Commission - CLRC via Facebook)](/sites/default/files/1.%20VFTF%20PNG%20Launch%20of%20consultation%20credit_CLRC.jpg)
Voices From The Field
21 March 2023
The future of governance in Papua New Guinea: consultations begin on form and system of government
![A protester holds a sign with the date of the 2020 national plebiscite on whether to draft a new constitution saying 'Against all odds, Chile decided to end the dictator's legacy' (photo credit: Rodrigo Garrido / Reuters). A protester holds a sign with the date of the 2020 national plebiscite on whether to draft a new constitution saying 'Against all odds, Chile decided to end the dictator's legacy' (photo credit: Rodrigo Garrido / Reuters).](/sites/default/files/1.%20Chile%202023%20VFTF%20Legacy.jpg)
Voices From The Field
28 February 2023
Overcoming the Pinochet Factor in the Chilean Constitution-Making Process
![Protestors in Peru demand a constituent assembly (photo credit: Agencia EFE) Protestors in Peru demand a constituent assembly (photo credit: Agencia EFE)](/sites/default/files/1.%20VFTF%20Peru%20protest.jpg)
Voices From The Field
27 February 2023
The political crisis in Peru: is there a constitutional solution?
![LGBTI advocacy group COC Netherlands in 2019 Amsterdam Pride Parade with slogan "anchor our rights in the constitution" (photo credit: coc.nl) LGBTI advocacy group COC Netherlands in 2019 Amsterdam Pride Parade with slogan "anchor our rights in the constitution" (photo credit: coc.nl)](/sites/default/files/2.VFTF%20Netherlands%20Grondwet.jpg)
Voices From The Field
27 February 2023
Constitutionalising the Status Quo: Expanding non-discrimination protections to include disability and sexual orientation in the Dutch Constitution
![Protesters filled the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel on 21 January to protest against proposed judicial reforms (photo credit: Reuters) Protesters filled the streets of Tel Aviv, Israel on 21 January to protest against proposed judicial reforms (photo credit: Reuters)](/sites/default/files/2023-01-21T194228Z_1844680073_RC27VY9V7Q1V_RTRMADP_3_ISRAEL-POLITICS-COURT-PROTESTS.jpg)
Voices From The Field
16 February 2023
The Israeli Government’s Proposed Judicial Reforms: An Attack on Israeli Democracy
![Protestors carry a representation of a padlocked 1980 constitution (photo credit: Claudio Santana via Getty Images) Protestors carry a representation of a padlocked 1980 constitution (photo credit: Claudio Santana via Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/2.%20VFTF%20Locked%20Constitution%20%5BClaudio%20Santana_Getty%20Images%5D.jpg)
Voices From The Field
3 February 2023
Third Time’s a Charm? Chile Embarks on a New Constitution-making Process
![Government invitation to join Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (photo credit: Citizens' Assembly) Government invitation to join Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss (photo credit: Citizens' Assembly)](/sites/default/files/3.%20VFTF%20Ireland%20Invitation%20%28Citizens%20Assembly%29.jpg)
Voices From The Field
31 January 2023
Ireland’s Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss: Potential and Limitations for Deliberative Democracy
![Chairperson of the Commission on Inquiry Justice Maruping Dibotelo presents report of the Commission to President Mokgweetsi Masisi (photo credit: BW Presidency) Chairperson of the Commission on Inquiry Justice Maruping Dibotelo presents report of the Commission to President Mokgweetsi Masisi (photo credit: BW Presidency)](/sites/default/files/309377100_658942415800364_7281257021668210871_n.jpg)
Voices From The Field
30 January 2023
A Win for the Status Quo: Critiquing the Presidential Commission of Inquiry’s Report on the Review of the Constitution of Botswana
![Photo credit: David Watkins via unsplash Photo credit: David Watkins via unsplash](/sites/default/files/David%20Watkis%20via%20unsplash.jpg)
Voices From The Field
22 December 2022
In the World of Constitution Building in 2022
![BVI Commission members at a community meeting on the island of Jost Van Dyke stand in front of a church damaged in 2017 by two devastating hurricanes (photo credit: BVI CRC 2022) BVI Commission members at a community meeting on the island of Jost Van Dyke stand in front of a church damaged in 2017 by two devastating hurricanes (photo credit: BVI CRC 2022)](/sites/default/files/Image%20%28002%29.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
20 December 2022
Virgin Islands’ 2022 Constitutional Review Commission: Off to an interesting start
![Fourth All-Belarusian People's Assembly in 2010 (photo credit: belta.by) Fourth All-Belarusian People's Assembly in 2010 (photo credit: belta.by)](/sites/default/files/IV%20All-Belarusian%20People%27s%20Assembly%20in%202010%20Photo%20belta.by_.jpg)
Voices From The Field
30 November 2022
The All-Belarusian People’s Assembly: Cementing President Lukashenka’s Consolidation of Power
![High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt (photo credit: Reuters) High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Christian Schmidt (photo credit: Reuters)](/sites/default/files/1.HR%20of%20BiH%20%28Reuters%29.jpg)
Voices From The Field
29 November 2022
The Bonn Powers in Bosnia and Herzegovina: Between a rock and a hard place
![Second reading of People’s Constitution Commission Bill in parliament of Belize on 17 October 2022 (photo credit: Channel 5 Belize) Second reading of People’s Constitution Commission Bill in parliament of Belize (photo credit: Channel 5 Belize)](/sites/default/files/vlcsnap-2022-10-17-21h48m58s911.png)
Voices From The Field
31 October 2022
Will Belize Get a People’s Constitution? Prospects and Challenges
![photo credit: Matt Palmer via unsplash photo credit: Matt Palmer via unsplash](/sites/default/files/matt-palmer-K5KmnZHv1Pg-unsplash.jpg)
Voices From The Field
31 October 2022
The Emergence of ‘Fixed Constitutional Commitments’ on the Environment: A Tool for Addressing Climate Change?
![Constitutional Court of Central African Republic (photo credit: Jean Fernand Koena / DW) Constitutional Court of Central African Republic (photo credit: Jean Fernand Koena / DW)](/sites/default/files/2.%20VFTF%20CAR%20Constitutional%20Court.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
29 September 2022
Courts vs Incumbents: Guaranteeing Alternation of Power in the Central African Republic
![Bottom L-R: Prime Minister Hun Sen next to Deputy Prime Minister / Interior Minister Sar Kheng in Cambodia's National Assembly, 2017 (photo credit: Cambodia National Assembly) Bottom L-R: Prime Minister Hun Sen next to Deputy Prime Minister / Interior Minister Sar Kheng in Cambodia's National Assembly, 2017 (photo credit: Cambodia National Assembly)](/sites/default/files/Hun%20Sen%20Sar%20Kheang%20%28002%29.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
28 September 2022
Cambodia’s Constitutional Amendments: Consolidating Control and Securing Succession Plans
![photo credit: europa.eu photo credit: europa.eu](/sites/default/files/1.%20VFTF%20NATO_EU_0.jpg)
Voices From The Field
22 September 2022
The war in Ukraine and its repercussions on Europe’s “security and defence constitution”
![photo credit: amambainoticias.com.br photo credit: amambainoticias.com.br](/sites/default/files/Brazil%20PNG.png)
Voices From The Field
26 August 2022
Brazil’s Frenetic Pace of Constitutional Change under Bolsonaro: Why and What Next?
Comments/Questions?