The National Democratic Institute for International Affairs and The Republic of Yemen Cosponsored by The United Nations Development Programme and The Government of Japan In Partnership with the Governments of: The Netherlands The United Kingdom The United States And the: Canadian International Development Agency Friedrich Ebert Stiftung International Labour Organization Irish Aid National Endowment for Democracy United States Agency for International Development Westminster Foundation for Democracy World Bank		Guatemala Country Summary english - french - spanish Guatemala is a democratic republic governed by a president and an 80-member unicameral Legislative Assembly. The country will be holding general elections on November 7, 1999, the first since the Government of Guatemala and the former guerrilla movement, Guatemalan National Revolutionary Unity (URNG), signed the UN-sponsored Peace Accords in December 1996. The agreement concluded a civil war of nearly three decades and a seven-year peace negotiation process. Key advances have been made in the widening of citizen participation, establishment of a new National Civilian Police and unprecedented dialogue on indigenous issues and macroeconomic stability. However, there are many challenges to be addressed as Guatemala transforms its political process, including low public confidence in political institutions. Economic and Social Indicators Population: GNP: Per Capita GNP: Growth Rate: Illiteracy Rate: : Life Expectancy: 11 million $16.8 billion $1500 0.9% 38%-males 51%-females 64-males 69-females The World Bank. World Development Report. Oxford Union Press,1999 On May 16, only 18 percent of the 4 million registered voters participated in the referendum to reform the constitution. The constitutional reforms were overwhelmingly rejected (by approximately 56 percent of those who voted), even though they were previously approved by all of the major political parties as part of the peace process. Currently, commissions charged with the implementation of the accords are grappling with how to further advance issues central to the Peace Accords, including officialization of indigenous languages, and educational and land reform. Challenges also remain in the areas of tax and fiscal reform. Strengthening the state's capacity to collect taxes and allocate expenditures are important elements of the government's policy to promote development and economic growth in Guatemala. [ Introduction ] [ Declaration ] [ Conference Transcripts ] [ Discussion Board ] [ Forum Home ] [ NDI Home ]