Civil Society

Civil Society Organizations and Social Movements: How to Work Together?

This plenary addressed the dynamics of collaboration and coordination between civil society organizations, and highlighted the importance of innovative strategies for lasting social change. Speakers addressed the challenges of funding and the disconnect between movements, the need to maintain both political and technical approaches, and the recent democratic opening in Guatemala in large part due to the crucial role of Indigenous peoples who not only led the resistance, but also inspired other actors to join. The session concluded that it is vital to continue building spaces for dialogue and common strategies which adapt to local realities and strengthen the link between social movements and civil society, thus ensuring transformative impact.

Citizen Participation

The Imperative to Defend Guatemala’s Democracy

This panel discussed challenges and opportunities for the defense of democracy in Guatemala, addressed the need to rebuild society through intersectional dialogues, and highlighted that the fight against corruption and the application of justice are essential to create real change. The conversation provided an analysis of the risks to Guatemalan democracy in 2023, including the reluctance of authorities to relinquish power and the criminalization strategies against youth and student leaders, and underscored that significant change comes from the collective participation of a population.

Climate Justice

Impacts of Socio-Environmental Disasters

This panel addressed the importance of recognizing communities affected by socio-environmental disasters in Latin America. Communities face common problems such as loss of livelihoods, diseases and lack of government support, which continue to push their populations to migrate. Speakers highlighted the need to address crises with respect to territorial and cultural particularities without ignoring realities. A call was also made to abandon extractivist, colonialist and racist models, and to guarantee access to territories to strengthen the right to stay. The panelists identified visibility of community narratives, research into the causes of displacement, collaborative efforts and recognition of local initiatives as four key takeaways.

Education

Voices: Connecting Civil Society & Government to Advance Education in Guatemala

The panel discussed the achievements and challenges of the “Voices for Education” initiative, an intersectional effort to build a new vision for the education system in Guatemala. The panelists highlighted that one of the most notable achievements of the process has been the change of perspective towards collaboration, and spoke about approaches for organizations to present their methodologies as solutions to the Ministry of Education. Vice Minister Aldana emphasized the need to empower youth to create change, and the representative of the Population Council pointed to “Voices” as a “laboratory of ideas” to experiment with new solutions. At the conclusion of the panel, the Luis von Ahn Foundation announced a commitment to invest $5.2 million over the next three years to strengthen education in Guatemala and the alliances between the government, civil society and the private sector.

Right to Information

Authoritarianism Challenged by Collaborative Journalism

Journalists in this session discussed the growing acceptance of authoritarianism among youth, which underscores the urgency of citizen education to expose abuses of power across multiple sectors, including the State and organized crime. Panelists spoke about the role of journalism in the fight against authoritarianism and in promoting an informed citizenry in Guatemala. They highlighted the importance of collaboration between organizations to strengthen independent journalism and to help inform inform citizens.

Gender Equality

Youth and Community Engagement to Change Gender Norms

This panel defined comprehensive and transformative education as a crucial element in rural communities that will allow not only develop the individual, but also the community. Speakers highlighted a need for programs with a focus on holistic education, and speakers addressed topics such as sexuality to foster trust between parents and their children.

Empowering girls in rural areas is essential to achieve change in communities. However, there are still challenges to progress such as resistance to changing gender stereotypes and the normalization of violence. As such, it is crucial to address cultural taboos, especially on issues of gender and sexuality, and to respect culture by recognizing that gender-transformative education is a shared responsibility.

International Cooperation

Working Together to Support New Development Opportunities in Guatemala

One of the main challenges among countries working alongside Guatemala and maximizing the impact of aid is adapting to the specific needs of the country through effective coordination between the Government and civil society organizations. This panel emphasized the need to improve the lives of Guatemalans through programs for sustainable development, human rights, gender equality and natural resource management. Speakers highlighted efforts to combat child malnutrition, gender violence and the underlying causes of migration, as well as the importance of strengthening institutions.

Youth Changemakers

10 Years of SIF’s CAMY Fund

This panel, hosted by Seattle International Foundation’s (SIF) Central America and Mexico Youth Fund (CAMY Fund), highlighted the importance of seeing youth as agents of change, rather than beneficiaries. Panelists put forward innovative ideas to transform gender roles in the intersection of youth and work, address the setbacks and advances in relation to human, sexual and reproductive rights, and to decentralize philanthropy to make funds more flexible. In 2024, the CAMY Fund celebrated its first ten years of working alongside the region’s transformative youth.

Economic Opportunities

Sustainable Economic Opportunities

Panelists discussed initiatives that foster economic development and social inclusion in rural communities in Guatemala. This session highlighted efforts to empower women and youth through savings programs, cooperatives and employability projects. These actions significantly improve competitiveness and have fostered economic independence and women’s leadership while fighting against machismo and a lack of job opportunities. Speakers discussed alliances with private companies and international cooperation, which have allowed for increased investment in agricultural projects and reduced production costs. The group mentioned successful examples of how these methodologies have generated employment, strengthened agricultural production and improved quality of life.

Environmental Justice

Escazú Alliance: Environmental Issues Related to Human Rights

Panelists discussed the challenges of the Escazú Alliance, an environmental treaty that promotes the protection of human rights defenders, and the need to generate strategic alliances and joint efforts both in the environmental sector and among citizens in general. Coordination with local governments and the inclusion of more actors in the process are key elements. During the government of former President Alejandro Giammattei, more than 15,000 attacks on human rights defenders were recorded in Guatemala, ten times more than the average recorded from 2016 to 2019.

Indigenous Youth

Indigenous Youth in Action for Peace

This workshop shared out the perspective of young people from Honduran communities who have faced violence and discrimination and who suffer from the social and educational limitations of their environment. The conversation delved into the need to empower vulnerable youth, highlighted the role of spaces for coexistence and empowerment, and addressed the relevance of education as a tool for Indigenous youth to know their rights and develop self-esteem. Violence and migration were central themes, and speakers emphasized the urgency to provide mental support and education opportunities to Indigenous youth in the region

Labor Rights

Labor Organizing for Democracy and Social Inclusion

The panel highlighted the importance of labor rights for comprehensive development, underscored the lack of freedom of association and the key role of labor organizations in overcoming the structural problems faced by workers in Guatemala, such as low wages and economic violence. Speakers discussed the progress made and the challenges that persist in the labor sector, such as the fear of reporting abuse and the need for greater female participation in the union sphere.

Inclusive Economies

Collective Action for Sustainable Development

The panel highlighted the main corporate social responsibility initiatives in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala, such as FUNDARHSE, FUNDEMAS and CentraRSE, which promote the inclusion of women, youth and people with disabilities in the labor market. Speakers emphasized the creation of safe work environments to prevent violence and encourage school retention, and highlighted the creation of effective initiatives such as Alianzas 360, which has evolved to coordinate key actors and address problems through a comprehensive approach. The panel also called for strengthening alliances between sectors to generate trust and take advantage of platforms for dialogue and international cooperation, thus ensuring the sustainable economic and social development of the region.