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: Gaël Gaborel - OrbisTerrae via unsplash Photo credit: Gaël Gaborel - OrbisTerrae via unsplash](/sites/default/files/gael-gaborel-orbisterrae-G_MCcG2YqPQ-unsplash.jpg)
Voices From The Field
31 January
In the World of Constitution-Building in 2023
![Constitutional drafts handed out in anticipation of referendum vote (photo credit: Sebastián Vivallo Oñate / Agencia Makro / Getty Images) Constitutional drafts handed out in anticipation of referendum vote (photo credit: Sebastián Vivallo Oñate / Agencia Makro / Getty Images)](/sites/default/files/chile%20referendum%202_0.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
22 December 2023
Two Drafts, Three Referendums, and Four Lessons for Constitution-making from Chile
![Casting a ballot in the 17 December referendum for Chile's draft constitution in the city of Valparaiso (photo credit: Rodrigo Garrido) Casting a ballot in the 17 December referendum for Chile's draft constitution in the city of Valparaiso (photo credit: Rodrigo Garrido)](/sites/default/files/Chile%201.png)
Voices From The Field
22 December 2023
The Chilean Constitutional Process: a Closed Chapter
![Person selling newspapers with the results of the 2023 constitutional referendum (photo credit: Ivan Alvarado) Person selling newspapers with the results of the 2023 constitutional referendum (photo credit: Ivan Alvarado)](/sites/default/files/65824e22a31040acaf82ec89.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
22 December 2023
The Risks of Wholesale (and Ideologically Tilted) Constitutional Replacements: Lessons from Chile’s Rejections
![The Constitutional Council, elected body of Chile's constitution-making process (photo credit: Reuters / Ivan Alvarado) The Constitutional Council, elected body of Chile's constitution-making process (photo credit: Reuters / Ivan Alvarado)](/sites/default/files/Constitutional%20Council.jpg)
Voices From The Field
23 October 2023
Chile’s Constitutional Original Sin Unlikely Redeemed?
![Citizen dialogues as part of the Chilean constitution-making process (photo credit: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Communications Directorate) Citizen dialogues as part of the Chilean constitution-making process (photo credit: Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile Communications Directorate)](/sites/default/files/VFTF%20Chile%20photo%20credit__UC%20Communications%20Directorate.jpg)
Voices From The Field
29 August 2023
The new Chilean constituent process: exercising the ‘muscle’ of public participation in an adverse context
![Chile's Commission of Experts (photo credit: CIPER Chile) Chile's Commission of Experts (photo credit: CIPER Chile)](/sites/default/files/1.%20VFTF%20Expert%20Commission%20%28Cipher%20Chile%29.jpg)
Voices From The Field
30 June 2023
Chile’s New Constitutional Proposal: A Balance Between Change and Continuity?
![Founder of far-right Partido Republicano, Jose Antonio Kast, at press conference after Constitutional Council elections on 7 May 2023 (photo credit: AFP) Founder of far-right Partido Republicano, Jose Antonio Kast, at press conference after Constitutional Council elections on 7 May 2023 (photo credit: AFP)](/sites/default/files/1.%20VFTF%20Republicanos.jpg)
Voices From The Field
14 May 2023
Tides of Change: Analyzing the Power Shift in Chile’s Constitutional Process
![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 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
![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
![Supporters of decentralization in Chile in front of the presidential palace (photo credit: CERUACh) Supporters of decentralization in Chile in front of the presidential palace (photo credit: CERUACh)](/sites/default/files/1.%20Descentralizacion%20%281%29.jpg)
Voices From The Field
23 August 2022
The “Regional State” in Chile’s proposed new Constitution: advantages and challenges for decentralization and equal territorial development
![Chile’s draft constitution looks to the future: digital rights as fundamental rights Chile’s draft constitution looks to the future: digital rights as fundamental rights](/sites/default/files/what-is-data-security-pillar-top-illustration-featured.png)
Voices From The Field
2 July 2022
Chile’s draft constitution looks to the future: digital rights as fundamental rights
![Political composition of Chile's Constitutional Convention (photo credit: Decide Chile) Political composition of Chile's Constitutional Convention (photo credit: Decide Chile)](/sites/default/files/Screenshot%20%281%29.png)
Voices From The Field
25 May 2022
Reshaping the Chilean political regime: three acts and a funeral
![Public invitation to digital meeting about the Convention (photo credit: chileconvencion.cl) Public invitation to digital meeting about the Convention (photo credit: chileconvencion.cl)](/sites/default/files/ChileCC%202_0.png)
Voices From The Field
25 January 2022
Citizens’ Participation at the Chilean Constitutional Convention: Balancing Expectations and Efficiency
![Photo credit: Alin Andersen via unsplash Photo credit: Alin Andersen via unsplash](/sites/default/files/alin-andersen-HgZY0oYkpi8-unsplash.jpg)
Voices From The Field
22 December 2021
In the World of Constitution Building in 2021
![Convention delegate Patricia Politzer provides information on public participation mechanisms during the territorial week (photo credit: Twitter / @patriciapolitz) Convention delegate Patricia Politzer provides information on public participation mechanisms during the territorial week (photo credit: Twitter / @patriciapolitz)](/sites/default/files/FEgKa_KXsAEVKmx.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
30 November 2021
A Balancing Act: Public Participation, Decision-Making, and Freedom of Speech at the Chilean Constitutional Convention
![Constitutional Convention delegates celebrate the approval of the rules of procedure (photo credit: Televisión Nacional de Chile) Constitutional Convention delegates celebrate the approval of the rules of procedure (photo credit: Televisión Nacional de Chile)](/sites/default/files/image.png)
Voices From The Field
30 October 2021
The Constitutional Convention’s rules of procedure: a path of transformative institutionalism in Chile
![The president and vice-president of Chile's Constitutional Convention give an account of the first day of voting surrounded by Convention members (photo credit: Twitter / @josefina_delaf) The president and vice-president of Chile's Constitutional Convention give an account of the first day of voting surrounded by Convention members (photo credit: Twitter / @josefina_delaf)](/sites/default/files/WhatsApp-Image-2021-09-23-at-20.09.40.jpg)
Voices From The Field
25 September 2021
Where the Rubber Meets the Road: Chile’s Constitutional Convention Decides its Rules of Procedure
![A protester in Santiago holds a sign calling for a 'constitutional assembly for more democracy' [photo credit: Sandra Cuffe/Al Jazeera] A protester in Santiago holds a sign calling for a 'constitutional assembly for more democracy' [photo credit: Sandra Cuffe/Al Jazeera]](/sites/default/files/A%20protester%20in%20Santiago%20holds%20a%20sign%20calling%20for%20a%20%27constitutional%20assembly%20for%20more%20democracy%27%20%5BSandra%20Cuffe%20Al%20Jazeera%5D.jpeg)
Voices From The Field
31 May 2021
Chile Elects its Constitution-Making Body: The Potential and Risks of a Fragmented Convention
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