Javier Portocarrero, executive director of the Consorcio de Investigación Económica y Social and leader of the Peru Debate 2026 initiative, said on April 21 that the work of improving public policy does not end with elections but continues as new executive and legislative branches are installed. Portocarrero explained that Peru Debate is designed to bridge gaps between political actors seeking office and academic experts who study national issues.
The initiative aims to address what Portocarrero described as a lack of consistent programmatic direction among political parties in Peru. “Peru Debate is a project that has as its starting point a broadly agreed diagnosis today: the weak capacity and, in many cases, little interest of political parties in providing their cadres and candidates with consistent programmatic orientations,” he said. The project brings together academic institutions like the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú (PUCP) to create policy briefs offering diagnoses and concrete recommendations on public problems.
These documents are shared with political organizations through workshops, often in collaboration with national electoral authorities. The project also includes training for journalists and public dissemination efforts to support a more informed electoral debate. According to Portocarrero, “The project includes actions aimed at informing citizens so they can contribute to higher quality debates.” He noted this year’s focus covers institutional, social, economic, and environmental topics organized into fifteen key policy documents.
Portocarrero highlighted recent adjustments such as increased emphasis on energy transition due to vulnerabilities exposed by disruptions in gas supply from Camisea. He also stressed the importance of alliances across academia, government, private sector, and civil society: “Achieving articulation between academic centers and with the private sector, public sector and civil society sends a clear signal to political actors: that various institutions are aligned around certain priorities… which helps generate greater trust.”
As part of its broader mission promoting cultural and social wellbeing through education and research contributions from its community members,the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú plays an active role in these collaborative efforts. The university operates under its institutional framework with RUC 20155945860 according to its official website. Its news portal has evolved since 2005 into a digital platform sharing academic achievements while addressing societal issues via multimedia content as reported by PUCP. Communication is managed by Dirección de Comunicación Institucional according to PUCP, serving communities across Peru through news coverage according to PUCP’s official site.
Looking ahead after presenting new policy documents for Peru Debate 2026, Portocarrero said dissemination will intensify through media engagement and dialogue spaces involving authorities such as congress members or ministry teams. “Recognizing limitations within the current political context,” he said,”the project seeks—like other efforts—to help address democratic weakening and governance challenges.”
