Press releases

El jueves 4 de agosto, se llevará a cabo la segunda edición del Foro GovTech Costa Rica 2022, un evento organizado por The Trust for the Americas y OS City, con el apoyo de Innovaap. Este es un encuentro de networking que reúne a los principales actores del sector público, las empresas, la academia, organismos multilaterales y sociedad civil, con el fin de impulsar el ecosistema de tecnologías emergentes y gobierno en América Latina.   Este encuentro, busca fortalecer los vínculos entre el sector público y el privado para impulsar el uso inteligente de las nuevas tecnologías en la mejora de los servicios públicos y las prácticas democráticas. El Foro GovTech Costa Rica 2022 es una forma de fortalecer el ecosistema regional de gobierno digital y tecnología cívica.   Rodrigo Iriani, Gerente Senior del Programa Democratizando la Innovación en las Américas (DIA), comentó: Sobre fines de 2020 anunciamos virtualmente en el primer Foro GovTech de Costa Rica el desarrollo de un programa de fortalecimiento de capacidades, de promoción del ecosistema, y de financiamiento a iniciativas GovTech que surjan de la colaboración entre start-ups y municipalidades. A través de este evento, presentaremos los resultados, asi como las experiencias regionales que han crecido de manera significativa durante los últimos dos años.  El Foro GovTech Costa Rica 2022 se llevará a cabo en un formato presencial, de 9:00 am a 4:30 pm en el Auditorio del Centro de Investigación y Capacitación en Administración Pública de la Universidad de Costa Rica (CICAP-UCR), debido al aforo, los cupos son limitados. Si quieres asistir, reserva tu lugar realizando la preinscripción en el siguiente link: https://plus.os.city/forocostarica   La franquicia del Foro GovTech se seguirá promocionando en otras ciudades de Iberoamérica para continuar fomentando los espacios de colaboración y transparencia de gobiernos.   ***  Sobre The Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas es una entidad sin fines de lucro afiliada a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA). Establecida en 1997 para promover alianzas público-privadas, The Trust ha implementado proyectos en 24 países y ha trabajado con más de 1,000 organizaciones en la región. Nuestras iniciativas buscan promover oportunidades educativas y económicas, así como la responsabilidad y transparencia del gobierno. Nuestra alianza única con la OEA nos permite tener acceso a los tomadores de decisiones dentro de la región. Esta asociación fundamental es la base a través de la cual creamos redes sólidas en todos los estados miembros y el sector privado. A través del desarrollo de nuestra región, The Trust continúa contribuyendo a superar los desafíos a través de alianzas estratégicas que promueven la cooperación para resultados sostenibles.   The Trust for the Americas es una organización sin fines de lucro 501 (c) (3) de la Ciudad de Washington DC.        Visite: www.trustfortheamericas.org   Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  | Twitter: @Trust4Americas  Costa Rica

2020/07/16 Ciudad de México, 16 de julio de 2020.- Ante el entorno complicado de empleabilidad ocasionado por la crisis sanitaria del COVID-19, Proyecto VIVE lanza el Banco de Talento VIVE que ayudará a las egresadas VIVE a conseguir empleo. Por medio de esta plataforma se identificarán las áreas de interés de las egresadas para vincularlas con potenciales empleadores. Las compañías interesadas en reclutar a las personas pasarán un proceso con el área de oportunidades económicas a través de reuniones virtuales. Empresas como Ideal Promotoría, ManpowerGroup e ISA Corporativo además de otras enfocadas en los sectores de ventas, promotoría, mercadeo, atención al cliente y áreas administrativas participarán en las “Ferias Virtuales de Empleo” organizadas por Proyecto VIVE. Cada quincena se compartirán los criterios y recomendaciones para el reclutamiento a las egresadas VIVE a través de breves vídeos en formato entrevista, que serán transmitidos por el canal de YouTube de The Trust for the Americas y difundidas a través de redes sociales de Proyecto VIVE. Las mujeres interesadas en registrarse al Banco de Talento deberán cumplir con ciertos requisitos, como haber aprobado el curso de VIVE y posteriormente, cada egresada deberá hacer su propio registro y proceso de reclutamiento con la organización empleadora. Klaudia González, coordinadora nacional del Proyecto VIVE comentó que “la crisis por el COVID-19 es una oportunidad para desarrollar nuevas habilidades, es por ello, que en Proyecto VIVE generamos una serie de cursos virtuales gratuitos que son transmitidos a través de Facebook Live (@ProyectoVIVEmx). A partir del mes de julio iniciamos con el tema de empleabilidad, hablaremos de cómo realizar un CV, cómo presentarse a una entrevista laboral y del Banco de Talento VIVE”. El Banco de Talento VIVE es una estrategia para generar alianzas entre The Trust for the Americas y el sector empresarial y acercar a potenciales empleadores con las personas beneficiarias del Proyecto VIVE. Con estas herramientas, las mujeres podrán ampliar sus oportunidades económicas, además de fortalecer el tema de prevención de violencia hacia las niñas y las mujeres. Cabe mencionar que, en los primeros 100 días de teletrabajo, Proyecto VIVE ha beneficiado a más de mil 400 personas en México, República Dominicana, Puerto Rico, Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador y Estados Unidos. Los cursos también pueden ser visualizados en el Aula Virtual https://aulavirtual.trustfortheamericas.org/ Sumado a los cursos virtuales y al banco de talento, se han realizado eventos para impulsar la economía de las mujeres egresadas, a través de “Tianguis Virtuales VIVE” (mercados virtuales). Esta serie de sesiones busca acompañar a las mujeres que se encuentran en aislamiento, con medidas innovadoras y dinámicas para generar una red de apoyo, a estos eventos se suman los c@fes con heroínas VIVE, donde se reúnen mujeres egresadas de diferentes estados de la República Mexicana para intercambiar experiencias. El Proyecto VIVE es implementado en México por The Trust for the Americas desde el 2016 gracias al apoyo  de Walmart Foundation. El Proyecto tiene como objetivo ofrecer herramientas que permitan el desarrollo económico de las mujeres y darles alternativas que mejoren su condición económica y la de su familia. Entre 2016 y 2019 capacitó a más de 53 mil personas a nivel nacional. Del total de personas capacitadas, más de 43  mil son mujeres (40% de las cuales son jefas de familia). Asimismo, cerca de 11 mil 300 personas se emplearon o emprendieron su propio negocio. Para mayor información entra en:  Visite: www.trust-oea.org/vive Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter:   @Trust4Americas Proyecto VIVE: @ProyectoVIVEMx Sobre The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas es una entidad sin fines de lucro afiliada a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA). Establecida en 1997 para promover alianzas público-privadas, The Trust ha implementado proyectos en 24 países y ha trabajado con más de 1,000 organizaciones en la región. Nuestras iniciativas buscan promover oportunidades educativas y económicas, así como la responsabilidad y transparencia del gobierno. Nuestra alianza única con la OEA nos permite tener acceso a los tomadores de decisiones dentro de la región. Esta asociación fundamental es la base a través de la cual creamos redes sólidas en todos los estados miembros y el sector privado. A través del desarrollo de nuestra región, The Trust continúa contribuyendo a superar los desafíos a través de alianzas estratégicas que promueven la cooperación para resultados sostenibles. Mexico

2022/07/06 Mexico, 2022.- According to an ENOE report, the economy of the 21st century requires that workers at all levels have social, digital, and technical skills. Lacking these skills, individuals, especially women, are forced to work in the informal economy, reducing their chances of growing professionally and financially. Additionally, there is another factor of inequality: the gender gap. In Mexico, only 40% of women have paid employment, while in the case of men, 74% are part of the labor force. In order to reduce this gap, The Trust for the Americas, with the support of The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, will work with Jovenes Constructores de la Comunidad (JCC) and Servicios a la Juventud (SERAJ), institutions with more than 15 years of experience, to implement the CIMA Project (Comprehensive Training for Women in Action), which seeks to train young women so that they can enter the hospitality and tourism industry through formal employment opportunities. During the launch of the CIMA Project, a virtual discussion was held on “The Impact of the Labor Inclusion of Women in Mexico”. Fátima Masse, Director of Inclusive Society of the Mexican Institute of Competitiveness (IMCO), highlighted that “Tourism is one of the sectors that has the greatest impact on the Mexican economy, but it was also one of the most hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Likewise, she highlighted that “other sectors such as services and commerce were also affected by the pandemic, where many women work. In this case the impact was significant since the majority lost their jobs”. In this sense, the main objective of the CIMA project is to improve the financial autonomy and general well-being of women in the country, through training in technical, digital, and life skills. Upon graduating from CIMA, the beneficiaries will have the opportunity to join a quality job that allows them to generate their own income. In order to provide comprehensive support to the participants, cross-cutting support services will also be offered, such as personalized mentorship, psycho-emotional support, and stipends for internet connection, transportation, and support for mothers. Carolina Klée, Operations Manager of Jovenes Constructores de la Comunidad (JCC), highlighted that CIMA will be an opportunity for the labor reintegration of women since one of the challenges they face is the lack of formal education: “the women are told ‘you have to have finished school and only if you manage to finish your studies, you can face the world of work, and later you face the talent competition that exists’” she highlighted. Daniela Dorantes, Director of Servicios a la Juventud (SERAJ), added that within the sector of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), there is a greater turnover of personnel due to the lack of training and the commitment of employers. For this reason, she reinforced the importance of raising awareness among companies to “change the perspective and putting young women at the center of their competitiveness.” The panelists agreed that the lack of opportunities is just one of the many labor-related challenges that affect Mexican women. Variables such as the quality of jobs, the salary gap, the excessive workload at home, care related activities, workplace harassment, and violence, are other examples of the barriers that are faced, even after obtaining a job. For more information visit us at: Our website: https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA/cima-capacitacion-integral-para-mujeres-en-accion Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas About The Trust for the Americas The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.  About The Conrad N. Hilton FoundationInternational hotelier Conrad N. Hilton established the grantmaking foundation that bears his name in 1944 to help people living in poverty and experiencing disadvantage worldwide. Today, the work continues, concentrating on efforts to ensure healthy early childhood development and sustainable livelihoods for youth, support young people transitioning out of foster care, improve access to housing and support services for people experiencing homelessness, identify solutions to safe water access, and lift the work of Catholic sisters. Additionally, following selection by an independent, international jury, the Foundation annually awards the $2.5 million Conrad N. Hilton Humanitarian Prize to an organization doing extraordinary work to reduce human suffering. The Foundation is one of the world’s largest, with approximately $8.5 billion in assets. It has awarded grants to date totaling more than $2.4 billion, $339 million worldwide in 2021. Please visit www.hiltonfoundation.org for more information. About Jovenes Constructores de la ComunidadJovenes Constructores de la Comunidad, A.C. (JCC) is a civil association created in 2004. Its mission is to promote human development and improve employability and school reintegration options for young people from marginalized communities. About Servicios a la JuventudServicios a la Juventud, A.C. (SERAJ) is a civil association specializing in youth with 25 years of experience, which designs and implements comprehensive and innovative models of social action. Its models contribute to the development of young people – primarily those who live in conditions of poverty or exclusion – so that they face the relevant problems of our society. Mexico

2022/06/23 ADASEC Dominicana begins operations in the new DIA Innovation Lab that will train and empower young Dominicans with a curriculum focused on innovation and entrepreneurship  Santo Domingo – May 17, 2022. In a face-to-face event, Citi Foundation, The Trust for the Americas, and ADASEC Dominicana celebrated the official launch of the first DIA Innovation Lab in the Dominican Republic, a collaborative space that will provide the communities of Baní, Bonao, and La Vega access to technology such as computers, 3D printers, and laser cutters; and will train young people in digital, business and labor skills, to contribute to employability and the generation of livelihood opportunities.  This lab is an initiative designed by The Trust for the Americas organization, through the Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) Program, and implemented thanks to financial support from the Citi Foundation. The new lab in the Dominican Republic is the third to be born from this alliance, after a successful implementation in Jamaica (2016) and Trinidad and Tobago (2021).  The event was conducted by the lab’s local partner, the Dominican ADASEC association, and included the participation of Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Manager of the DIA Program – The Trust for the Americas; Tomás Ramón Aybar, president of the International Federation of Social, Ecological and Cultural Aid Associations (FIADASEC); as well as representatives of ADASEC Dominicana: Rafael Lorenzo, president; Luisa Jorge, executive director; and Allen Feliz, project coordinator. Also virtually, Gabriella Hache, in charge of public relations for the Citi Dominican Republic, and Alexander Figueroa, chief of operations – The Trust for the Americas, attended.   “This space for collaboration, creativity, and invention will impact 300 young people, providing them with training in cutting-edge technology and innovation, we are proud to be part of the development of sustainable communities. We believe that this will help them build an entrepreneurial mindset and acquire leadership necessary for the benefit of their families, communities, and the country in general”, shared Gabriella Hache, in charge of public relations for the Citi Dominican Republic.  The Innovation Lab in the Dominican Republic, or the DIA Lab RD, will promote innovation and entrepreneurship hand in hand with social responsibility, which reaffirms the commitment of the parties involved with the United Nations 2030 Agenda while contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals:  On the importance of alliances to achieve positive changes, Alexander Figueroa, chief of operations of The Trust for the Americas, commented that the organization’s work has been possible thanks to joint efforts with local partners, non-profit entities, private companies, and governments that share a single mission. “This is not the first time that we have worked with ADASEC Dominicana as a local partner. Today we celebrate that the collaboration continues and we take a new step on this path by inaugurating the first Innovation Lab in the country, hand in hand with the Citi Foundation, with whom we have been working and impacting the lives of thousands of people in the Caribbean since 2016” Figueroa added.  Thanks to the geographical presence of the local partner, this will be the first DIA Lab in the region to operate simultaneously in multiple provinces within the same country through three locations (Baní, Bonao, and La Vega), which will allow it to effectively achieve some of the objectives of the first year:   “Initiatives such as the DIA Lab help to break the circle that generates poverty, especially that produced by lack of training and education. At ADASEC, we have implemented 32 social projects with national and international allies. We are proud that ADASEC Dominicana, who has been working in communities for more than 30 years, has been selected as the person in charge to carry out this project that will surely transform the landscape of the country’s youth”, commented Tomás Ramón Aybar, president of FIADASEC.  For more than 5 years, The Trust for the Americas and Citi Foundation have impacted the lives of 3,139 people in Jamaica and Trinidad & Tobago, providing access to the DIA Innovation Labs and resources to contribute to employability and entrepreneurship through digital literacy; and job and life skills training. With the launch of this new laboratory, they seek to replicate the positive result in Dominican youth.   ***   About The Trust for the Americas:    The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.    More information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org     Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter:   @Trust4Americas    About Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA):   DIA is a regional initiative launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialized curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures.   About Citi: Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.    Additional information may be found at www.citigroup.com | Twitter: @Citi | YouTube: www.youtube.com/citi | Blog: http://blog.citigroup.com | Facebook: www.facebook.com/citi | LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/citi.    About Citi Foundation:    The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation’s “More than Philanthropy” approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.  About ADASEC Dominicana:   ADASEC Dominicana is a non-profit institution, founded in 1984 with more than 37 years of continuous service in favor of the society

2022/06/11 Querétaro, México. – La Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro (UTEQ) y The Trust for the Americas inauguraron el Centro POETA – UTEQ que implementará el Proyecto POETA DigiSpark. A través de esta iniciativa, el centro capacitará a personas jóvenes y adultas en tecnología y ciencias de la computación.   El Maestro Mario Valdez Reséndiz, Secretario de Vinculación de la UTEQ, explicó que esta vinculación “apoyará a las poblaciones para cerrar la brecha digital que existe y apoyar a personas que podemos catalogar como grupos vulnerables para obtener habilidades digitales.” Además, comentó que para lograr los objetivos, la UTEQ se unió con la Secretaría del Trabajo, el Sistema Estatal DIF, la asociación 10 Mil Mujeres Unidas por México, el Centro de Desarrollo Artesanal Indígena, la Canaco y otras entidades para beneficiar a 500 maestros y otras 600 personasl.”  Verónica Phillipe, Gerente del Proyecto POETA DigiSpark, resaltó “esta iniciativa de The Trust for the Americas, se implementa desde hace 10 años con el apoyo de Microsoft Filantropías. Actualmente, el proyecto se implementa en 8 países gracias a la suma de esfuerzos de 20 socios locales en Argentina, Brasil, Chile, Colombia, México, Perú, Puerto Rico y Uruguay. El trabajo conjunto, permitió que en 2021 hayamos  impactado la vida de más de 900,000 personas.”   Lupina Loperena, Líder de Microsoft Filantropías México, recordó que desde hace más de 20 años inició el trabajo en diferentes proyectos y “hemos trabajado impactando a una cantidad enorme de personas para el desarrollo de habilidades digitales necesarias para el siglo XXI, hoy nos enfocamos en potenciar las oportunidades de empleo en México. Hacerlo en el Estado de Querétaro no es por azar, es por la buena recepción que hemos tenido en cada uno de los proyectos que tiene Microsoft.”  Al finalizar el evento, el Maestro en Ciencias José Carlos Arredondo Velázquez, Rector de la UTEQ, exhortó a toda la comunidad de la Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro a que se capaciten con el objetivo de impactar el mayor número de personas en este proceso de reducción de la brecha digita. Reiteró que “Me siento muy feliz, muy satisfecho de todos estos grandes aliados que tenemos, porque la Universidad será un motor que impactará en la transformación de vidas, así como sus entornos familiares y comunidades. “  Las personas beneficiadas adquirirán habilidades digitales, técnicas y para la vida a través de capacitaciones virtuales y presenciales. Adicionalmente, se capacitará a personas facilitadoras de otras organizaciones con el fin de replicar el modelo POETA DigiSpark y así garantizar que estudiantes del estado cuenten con las habilidades necesarias para competir en el mercado laboral del siglo XXI.  POETA DigiSpark busca empoderar personas en situación de vulnerabilidad mayores de 16 años, a través de la tecnología, para facilitar su acceso a oportunidades económicas y educativas; como obtener un trabajo o un ascenso, crear o fortalecer un emprendimiento, obtener una pasantía, y continuar o iniciar su educación. A través de sus más de 20 socios locales, POETA DigiSpark ofrece capacitaciones en habilidades digitales, técnicas y para la vida a personas en situación de vulnerabilidad. De igual forma, POETA DigiSpark ofrece acompañamiento, asesoría vocacional, y mentoría personalizada a sus participantes con el fin de vincularlos a más y mejores oportunidades económicas y educativas.  Para mayor información entra en:    Visite:  https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA/poeta-digispark  Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas   Sobre The Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas es una entidad sin fines de lucro afiliada a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA). Establecida en 1997 para promover alianzas público-privadas, The Trust ha implementado proyectos en 24 países y ha trabajado con más de 1,000 organizaciones en la región. Nuestras iniciativas buscan promover oportunidades educativas y económicas, así como la responsabilidad y transparencia del gobierno. Nuestra alianza única con la OEA nos permite tener acceso a los tomadores de decisiones dentro de la región. Esta asociación fundamental es la base a través de la cual creamos redes sólidas en todos los estados miembros y el sector privado. A través del desarrollo de nuestra región, The Trust continúa contribuyendo a superar los desafíos a través de alianzas estratégicas que promueven la cooperación para resultados sostenibles.   Sobre Microsoft Filantropías   Microsoft Filantropía proporciona, a las organizaciones sin fines de lucro tecnología, servicios y capacitación asequibles para ayudarlas a avanzar en sus misiones junto con los socios de Microsoft, que ayudan a implementar Microsoft Cloud para organizaciones sin fines de lucro en todo el mundo.  Sobre la Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro  La UTEQ comenzó sus labores en septiembre de 1994. A lo largo de 22 años de trayectoria, la Universidad Tecnológica de Querétaro se ha consolidado como una Institución Educativa de calidad que ofrece formación profesional cuyo distintivo es la estrecha relación con el sector productivo. Actualmente, la oferta educativa consta de catorce carreras de Técnico Superior Universitario (TSU), ocho Ingenierías y dos Ingenierías Profesionales, programas educativos avalados en su totalidad. En su mayoría el cuerpo docente cuenta con estudios de maestría y doctorado en materias afines a las que imparten. El modelo educativo incluye actividades culturales y deportivas que brindan un aprendizaje integral al estudiantado.   Mexico

2022/06/08 Belmopan – May 26th, 2022. At an on-site event with the public sector, academia, civil society, and youth, the U.S. Embassy in Belize, The Trust for the Americas, The University of the West Indies (UWI) Open Campus, and the Department of Youth Services celebrated the official launch of the country’s first DIA Innovation Lab for Youth, a collaboration space that will provide access to technology such as computers, camera equipment, 3D printers, and will train young people in digital, business and entrepreneurial skills, to contribute to employability and livelihood opportunities.  This lab is an initiative designed by The Trust for the Americas, through the Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) Program, and implemented thanks to the financial support of the U.S. Embassy in Belize. The DIA Lab in Belize is the 3rd  project executed in partnership with the Embassy in the country. It is also the 7th lab to operate in the Americas after successful implementations in Mexico, Colombia, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the Dominican Republic.   In attendance at the launch were: Program Director for Behavior Modification and Conflict Management Services at Belize’s Department of Youth Services William Dawson; U.S. Embassy Political Officer Sydney Skov; Head of the UWI Open Campus in Belize Dr. Sharmayne Saunders; IDB Country Representative for Belize Ramiro López Ghio; Director of Beltraide Dr. Leroy Almendarez; Financial Officer at the OAS Office in the Adjacency Zone Sergio López; President of the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry Marcello Blake;  Director of Board at the National Institute of Culture and History Carlo Habet; Country Director of RET Cherese Ferguson; The Trust for the Americas Senior Manager for DIA Rodrigo Iriani; and The Trust for the Americas Project Coordinator for DIA Belize Audrey Robin. The Trust for the Americas CEO Linda Eddleman joined virtually.  William Dawson, Program Director for Behavior Modification and Conflict Management Services  – Belize’s Department of Youth Services, stated: “multi-stakeholder collaboration is what’s necessary to build a support system for all of Belize. Besides training and teaching youth skills, these types of opportunities build the capacities of our youth. The DIA Lab Belize also provides the platform for their social development in our constantly growing society. We must protect our youth, but it’s also equally important to include it in development actions for the country, regardless of financial status, sexual orientation, or religious beliefs.”  The DIA Lab Belize promotes innovation and entrepreneurship and seeks to create an agents-of-change network amongst youth, academia, civil society actors, and local governments, aiming to generate livelihood opportunities in vulnerable communities, and further progressive governance in the country.  Alongside the local partner, UWI Open Campus, the DIA Lab Belize will seek to achieve in its first year:   Dr. Sharmayne Saunders, Head  – UWI Open Campus in Belize, said: “As lead implementing partner, we have key responsibilities such as recruitment and retention of students, raising awareness, course development and delivery, and everything in between to ensure success for this project. With a special focus on gender, at-risk-youth and urban/rural population, the DIA Lab furthers UWI Open Campus’ mission of advancing learning, knowledge, and innovation for the positive transformation of the Caribbean.”  “Innovation is the cornerstone of economic development,” underscored Ms. Sydney Skov, Political Office. – U.S. Embassy. “Investments that offer mentorship and create employment opportunities for Belizean youth lay important groundwork for empowering the next generation of leaders and for creating sustainable communities. This, in turn, feeds vibrant and stable democratic processes. The United States is a committed partner in helping to foster inclusive democracy.”  Since 2018, The Trust for the Americas and the U.S. Embassy in Belize have positively impacted the lives of 341 people from different sectors of society, strengthening public capacities and citizen participation, and promoting the use of information and technology in addressing problems in vulnerable communities.  If you are interested in participating in the DIA Lab Belize training programs and/or having access to the lab’s facilities, resources, and activities such as workshops, seminars, and events, please visit the following link: http://bit.ly/dialabregister  For updates about the DIA Lab Belize, you check its @DIALabBelize  *** About The  Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.   More information: www.trustfortheamericas.org    Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter:   @Trust4Americas   About Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA):   DIA is a regional initiative launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialized curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures.   More information: https://www.thetrustfortheamericas.org/programs/dia  About UWI Open Campus Belize:  UWI Open Campus Belize is responsible for all of the Open Campus’s activities in Belize, including public service, outreach activities, research, and continuing education programming. They offer globally-accredited degrees and courses taught by the region’s finest academics in world-class facilities.  More information: https://www.open.uwi.edu  Belize

2022/06/07 El anuncio fue realizado por el Presidente de Microsoft América Latina, Rodrigo Kede Lima, la Vicepresidente y Líder de Microsoft Filantropías Kate Behncken, y la Directora Ejecutiva de The Trust for the Americas. Estuvo presente también el Secretario General de la Organización de Estados Americanos (OEA), Luis Almagro. Los Angeles, California. – 7 de junio de 2022. En el marco del 25º aniversario de The Trust for the Americas y, durante la Cumbre de las Américas, The Trust realizó un encuentro con oficiales de la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA) y Microsoft. En dicho encuentro, Linda Eddleman, Directora Ejecutiva de The Trust for the Americas se reunió con H.E Luis Almagro, Secretario General de la Organización de Estados Americanos, el Embajador James Lambert, Secretario de Asuntos Hemisféricos de la OEA; Rodrigo Kede Lima, Presidente de Microsoft Latinoamérica; Kate Behncken, Vicepresidente de Microsoft Filantropías; Robert Ivanschitz, Director de Asuntos Jurídicos y Corporativos Microsoft Latinoamérica; y Giuliana Figueiredo, Jefa del Gabinete del Presidente de Microsoft Latinoamérica. Para Linda Eddleman, este encuentro “representa muy bien lo que hacemos en The Trust: conectar el sector privado con organismos multilaterales para impactar la vida de millones en la región.” Durante la reunión, las partes pudieron conversar sobre los resultados del proyecto regional POETA DigiSpark que capacita a personas en situación de vulnerabilidad en tecnología para facilitar su acceso a oportunidades económicas. Eddleman añadió que “En el 2021, con el apoyo de Microsoft, POETA DigiSpark logró impactar la vida de más de 900,000 personas en la región”. Los números hablan por sí solos, y reafirman la importancia que las alianzas tienen para aumentar el potencial de las partes para trabajar en pos de la inclusión y equidad en la región. Por otro lado, también comentaron sobre los grandes esfuerzos que The Trust ha realizado para expandir su huella en el continente americano. En este 2022, con el apoyo de Microsoft Filantropía, The Trust for the Americas está implementando proyectos en zonas vulnerables en Uruguay, Puerto Rico, y el Triángulo Norte, entre otros. Desde el 2004, The Trust for the Americas se asoció con Microsoft para convertirse en un socio líder en capacitación en las Américas. Gracias a dicha alianza estratégica, se han creado oportunidades económicas para cientos de miles de personas vulnerables bajo la misión de fomentar la inclusión social y económica de las comunidades vulnerables en las Américas a través de alianzas con el sector público, privado y sin fines de lucro. En este sentido, Rodrigo Kede Lima expresó: “Las iniciativas en las que hemos tenido oportunidad de trabajar junto a The Trust for the Americas son resultado de una visión compartida respecto a la enorme oportunidad que la tecnología abre para construir un futuro más incluyente y próspero en Latinoamérica. POETA DigiSpark, junto con otros proyectos en los que hemos colaborado durante todos estos años, ilustran dicha convicción y estamos sumamente emocionados por el impacto positivo que esta alianza continuará teniendo en beneficio de las comunidades de la región.” https://www.trustfortheamericas.org/programs/POETA Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter: @Trust4Americas — Acerca de The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas es una entidad sin fines de lucro afiliada a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA). Establecida en 1997 para promover alianzas público-privadas, The Trust ha implementado proyectos en 24 países y ha trabajado con más de 1,000 organizaciones en la región. Nuestras iniciativas buscan promover oportunidades educativas y económicas, así como la responsabilidad y transparencia del gobierno. Nuestra alianza única con la OEA nos permite tener acceso a los tomadores de decisiones dentro de la región. Esta asociación fundamental es la base a través de la cual creamos redes sólidas en todos los estados miembros y el sector privado. A través del desarrollo de nuestra región, The Trust continúa contribuyendo a superar los desafíos a través de alianzas estratégicas que promueven la cooperación para resultados sostenibles. Acerca de Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) habilita la transformación digital para la era de la nube inteligente y el entorno inteligente. Su misión es empoderar a cada persona y organización en el planeta para que puedan lograr más. Argentina – Brasil – Chile – Estados Unidos – Colombia – Mexico – Perú – Puerto Rico – Uruguay

2022/06/30 Ciudad de Panamá – 10 de junio. The Trust for the Americas, a través de su Programa Democratizando la Innovación en las Américas (DIA), trabaja para fortalecer las capacidades de la institucionalidad pública y de la ciudadanía apoyando la implementación del Programa Interamericano de Datos Abiertos para Prevenir y Combatir la Corrupción (PIDA) en Panamá. Bajo este esfuerzo, y en alianza con el Banco de Desarrollo de América Latina (CAF), la Autoridad Nacional de Transparencia y Acceso a la Información (ANTAI), y la Autoridad Nacional para la Innovación Gubernamental (AIG) en Panamá, los días 9 y 10 de junio, se llevó a cabo el taller “Modelo de Gobernanza para la Implementación del PIDA en Panamá”.  En esta oportunidad, se creó un espacio de co-creación e ideación colectiva que permitiera a distintos actores e instituciones públicas, sociedad civil, sector privado, academia y medios independientes o medios de comunicación, avanzar en los siguientes objetivos:  Ana Gabriel Zúñiga Aponte Zúñiga, consultora en gobernanza abierta, comentó: “Esto realmente nos entusiasma mucho, porque si logramos articular a todos estos actores y avanzar con la serie de recomendaciones y el acompañamiento que hemos estado facilitando, es posible que Panamá, se convierta en los primeros países en América Latina en implementar de manera efectiva, clara y evidente, el Programa Interamericano de Datos Abiertos para Combatir la Corrupción”.  “El elemento final de este proyecto tiene como objetivo desarrollar acciones para asegurar el uso sostenible de los datos y generar las primeras evidencias del aprovechamiento de los mismos en la lucha contra la corrupción” estableció Rodrigo Iriani, Gerente Senior de Programa DIA. El proyecto Programa Interamericano de Datos Abiertos para Prevenir y Combatir la Corrupción (PIDA) en Panamá, se enfoca en la generación de acciones como capacitación, sensibilización, acción e incubación de proyectos de empoderamiento ciudadano para la generación de nuevos canales de combate a la corrupción a través de los datos abiertos. Este taller parte del esfuerzo para avanzar en este importante esfuerzo.  ***  Sobre The Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas es una entidad sin fines de lucro afiliada a la Organización de los Estados Americanos (OEA). Establecida en 1997 para promover alianzas público-privadas, The Trust ha implementado proyectos en 24 países y ha trabajado con más de 1,000 organizaciones en la región. Nuestras iniciativas buscan promover oportunidades educativas y económicas, así como la responsabilidad y transparencia del gobierno. Nuestra alianza única con la OEA nos permite tener acceso a los tomadores de decisiones dentro de la región. Esta asociación fundamental es la base a través de la cual creamos redes sólidas en todos los estados miembros y el sector privado. A través del desarrollo de nuestra región, The Trust continúa contribuyendo a superar los desafíos a través de alianzas estratégicas que promueven la cooperación para resultados sostenibles.    Visite: www.trustfortheamericas.org    Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  | Twitter: @Trust4Americas   Sobre el Programa Democratizando la Innovación en las Américas (DIA):   DIA es una iniciativa regional que promueve el fortalecimiento de los procesos democráticos en la región y el empoderamiento de nuevas generaciones a través del acceso a capacitación en tecnología, currícula especializada, espacios de colaboración, mentorías y apoyos financieros para el desarrollo de emprendimientos sociales y económicos.    Panamá

2022/06/30 Kingston, Jamaica – May 31st, 2022 – To foster an entrepreneurial mindset for Jamaican youth, The Trust for the Americas in partnership with the Institute of Law and Economics (ILE), and Citi Foundation, celebrated the first Pitchtank Competition of 2022 at the DIA Urban Lab. This space provided 15 disruptive minds with the opportunity to present innovative business ideas to a panel of judges in the hopes of receiving USD 1,000 in seed funding to kick-start their ventures.  Under the mission of advancing solutions that generate livelihood opportunities, participants had to present projects addressing the following topics: violence prevention, gender equality, citizen protection, youth empowerment, and climate and environmental resilience. In preparation for this, participants underwent innovation and entrepreneurship training through workshops and five days of boot camp activities in late May. After this preparation period, they had a mock pitch, and one-on-one sessions with advisors to strengthen their final presentations.  During the event, a panel of three judges (Bryanna Chang, IT specialist and app- developer, Floyd Wilson, senior portfolio adviser, and youth advocate, and Simone Campbell, youth and community practitioner from the Jamaican Ministry of Education, Youth & Information) thoroughly evaluated a total of 15 innovations and selected the 10 winners, based on the premise and business plan quality.   In this edition, the winning projects proposed:   Simone Campbell – Youth and Community Practitioner, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information, commented: “This group was great and if I had the opportunity, all of them would have received grants.”  Through access to technology, collaborative spaces, training, and competitive seed funds, the DIA Urban Lab for Youth Innovation has benefited the lives of over 3,200 people. Since 2016, we have supported Jamaican youth acquire tools to develop their business ideas or create social projects to address local challenges.  This competition is just the first step in their entrepreneurial journey, which seeks to improve the individual’s quality of life, give back to the community and make a difference in the life of its people. Therefore, each Pitch Tank organized by the DIA Program is a celebration of the effort and commitment of the youth and the promise of the essential things they will do for themselves and their country.     ***  About The Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.   More information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org    Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  | Twitter: @Trust4Americas   About Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA):  DIA is a regional initiative launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialized curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures.  Jamaica

2022/05/16 April 7, 2022 – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago – After almost a year of primarily virtual facilitation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the DIA Youth Innovation Lab in Trinidad and Tobago commemorated its first milestone with an on-site event to celebrate its achievements and announce the opening of the Lab’s space.   Ms. Patricia De Leon Henry, National Director, National Social Development Programme – Ministry of Social Development and Family Services; Professor Stephan Gift, Director – CARIRI Board; Mr. Megnath Gosein, Executive Manager – CARIRI; Mr. Shedron Collins, General Manager – Youth Business Trinidad and Tobago; guest speaker and entrepreneur Joshua Regrello; and Lab’s beneficiaries such as Jonathan Roach, creator of the project “The Seasoning Source” attended the event.  Furthermore, The Honorable Minister Foster Cummings, Ministry of Youth Development and National Service; Mr. Mitch De Silva, Citi Country Officer for Trinidad & Tobago; Mr. Renzo Angeles, Cash Market Manager and Sales Head for Citi Trinidad & Tobago; Mr. Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager DIA Program – The Trust for the Americas; and Mr. Quimey del Rio, Senior Project Officer DIA – The Trust for the Americas joined virtually.  This project is implemented by The Trust for the Americas’ regional program — Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) — in partnership with The Caribbean Industrial Research Institute (CARIRI), and with the financial support of the Citi Foundation. It promotes innovation and the creation of low-cost, high-impact, and sustainable projects for the youth in Trinidad and Tobago to generate livelihood opportunities and improve the quality of life of members of vulnerable communities.   In 2021 and through access to technology, training, and competitive seed funds, the DIA Lab Trinidad and Tobago sensitized(1) 80 participants and has directly benefited the lives of 118 participants. 31 of whom have developed projects or entrepreneurial ventures, and 16 have received seed funding after winning pitch tanks and hackathon competitions.   The recent pandemic made clear the dire need to inject technical, vocational, and skills training to bolster the global economy. To this effect, The Honorable Minister Foster Cummings, Minister of the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service (MYDNS), recognized this DIA Lab as: “the first of its kind in Trinidad and Tobago.” He continued: MYDNS is cognizant that there needs to be more emphasis on entrepreneurship and enterprise development as we continue to engage our young people as job creators as opposed to job seekers. Therefore, at the Ministry, we have prioritized supporting all initiatives such as the DIA Innovation Lab that acts as a vehicle for developing and implementing opportunities that would benefit our 550+ young people in the country.”  According to the Inter-American Development Bank, approximately one in five youth between the ages of 15 to 24 in the Caribbean are not in school nor part of the workforce(2). The DIA Innovation Labs triggers empowerment and innovation among youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills, which are crucial elements for economic growth. Over two months, every graduate of the DIA Lab completed a 40-hour training program specializing in computer, marketing, financial, and life skills.   Mr. Mitch De Silva, Citi Country Officer for Trinidad & Tobago, shared how important these social initiatives are to Citi Foundation, who can support them locally and abroad. He also reminded the audience of the importance youth empowerment has on future leadership while taking the opportunity to congratulate the participants. “I hope you can reap the benefits of gaining new skills and enhancing old ones through the program. Regardless of what success means to each and every one of you, this acquired knowledge will help you achieve it, both on a personal and professional level. Share this experience with your homes and communities and, as you grow, help others grow with you.”  Professor Stephan Gift, CARIRI Board Director, commented: “The board and staff at CARIRI are excited about this program and the opportunity it offers. Our institute is vigorously pursuing its mandate of stimulating and facilitating innovation and entrepreneurship in our country and across the region. Young people are yearning for experiences and exposure to opportunities such as this. The DIA Lab will assist them in acquiring skills that will enable them to become successful citizens making meaningful contributions to our society and, hopefully, assisting in economic transformation.”  The DIA Youth Innovation Lab in Trinidad and Tobago is a clear example of collaborative effort and the relevance of establishing partnerships across sectors. Thanks to the generous support of Citi Foundation, the DIA Innovation Labs have positively impacted the lives of 3,263 people. Also, alongside Citi Foundation, The Trust for the Americas has launched the DIA Urban Lab in Jamaica (2016). It has commenced operations in the Dominican Republic with a Spanish-speaking Lab, further nurturing youth empowerment in the Caribbean.   We invite you to watch a virtual tour of the Lab! If you live in Port of Spain and would like to become a participant in the DIA Lab, please send an email to dia@trust-oea.org  Source of Information   1. Sensitized: People that have used the lab’s facility and equipment, and have attended seminars, workshops, summits, and/or have received training without completing the 40-hour training program.    2. Inter-American Development Bank: “How can we help “unattached” youth transition into the workforce? Link  *** About The Trust for the Americas:   The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, seek to improve access to economic opportunities as well as to foster innovation in vulnerable communities in the hemisphere. To this end, The Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada.   More information: www.thetrustfortheamericas.org    Facebook: The Trust for the Americas  Twitter:   @Trust4Americas   About Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA):  DIA is a regional initiative launched to foster innovation and empower new generations through access to technology training, specialized curricula, collaboration spaces, mentorship, and financial resources for social and economic ventures.