"Not My Responsibility: The Roadblock to Progress"

My dear Peru, a place of immense beauty and yet riddled with contradictions and self-imposed limitations. Let's dive into a disheartening pattern that persists within the public sector, where those entrusted with the responsibility to serve the nation often resort to a familiar refrain: "It's not my responsibility." Now, I've chosen to write this article in English to spare some delicate feelings.

"Not my responsibility"... This dismissive response is all too frequently employed when citizens and organizations present innovative proposals aligned with government policies. Despite the existence of multisectoral policies that call for collaboration and progress, the pervasive mindset of limited accountability hinders the evaluation and implementation of new ideas. So, let's shed some light on the consequences of this attitude and its impact on our society.

The Pattern of Denial: When individuals or organizations approach the public sector with proposals that aim to address pressing issues such as healthcare, education, clean water, and quality food services, they are met with prolonged delays and responses indicating a lack of accountability. These delays are often followed by the discouraging assertion that the matter falls outside the jurisdiction or direct responsibility of the department in question.

National Multisectoral Policies: A Call for Collaboration: Within our nation, we have national multisectoral policies in place, such as the "Healthy Peru 2030" policy led by the Ministry of Health. These policies set ambitious goals for the improvement of public services and overall well-being. They explicitly state the need for collaboration among the public sector, private companies, civic society, and nonprofit organizations. They emphasize that everyone must work together to address the challenges we face and enhance the quality of life for all citizens.

The Dilemma: Why the Disconnect? With the existence of these policies, the question that arises is why individuals within the public sector continue to cling to their narrow responsibilities and fail to recognize the bigger picture of their roles in creating meaningful change. If multisectoral policies call for collaboration and progress, why do public officials consistently dismiss innovative proposals, leaving citizens and organizations without alternatives to effect tangible change?

A Case of Bureaucracy: Let me share an illustrative example within the Ministry of Housing, Construction, and Sanitation. Our organization has sent several letters requesting feedback on potential sustainable projects that could positively impact the community. We've had meetings, presentations, and provided technical documentation – all in an effort to help decision-makers make informed choices. After months of waiting and persistent follow-ups, the reply received indicates that evaluating these new solutions falls outside their responsibility. Instead, they redirect the request to individuals designated in 2017, who, as it turns out, are no longer present in the organization. This official response, signed by the ministry's directors, raises concerns about the lack of functional teamwork and coordination necessary for evaluating new technologies and embracing progress.

The Need for Integrated Efforts: It's not just the legal areas within the public sector that contribute to the roadblocks encountered; the technical and administrative departments are equally responsible. The absence of effective interaction and collaboration among these sectors obstructs the flow of ideas and inhibits progress. To bring about meaningful change, it's crucial for departments within different areas of all public entities to communicate and work together seamlessly.

The persistent refrain of "It's not my responsibility" within the public sector poses a significant challenge to progress and hinders the implementation of innovative ideas aligned with multisectoral policies. As citizens, we must demand greater accountability and challenge the notion of limited responsibilities. By fostering a culture of collaboration, communication, and shared ownership, we can break down bureaucratic barriers and create a more inclusive government that effectively evaluates and implements proposals aimed at improving the lives of all citizens.

Now, what's even more intriguing is the new response I've encountered while reaching out to the private sector: "We are not interested." It seems that some of them, too, are reluctant to collaborate with the government or engage in projects that require additional effort or time – I can’t generalize, there are some amazing people too. At times, it may be tempting to give up and succumb to the prevailing mindset of "it's not my responsibility, and I'm not interested." However, in those moments, I lift my gaze and seek strength from God. I turn to my family, my team, and all those who believe in me, and I make the conscious decision to keep moving forward.