October 16, 2014

Alumni Seminar on Social Inclusion for Economic Empowerment

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U.S. Ambassador Adam E. Namm poses with alumni from Fulbright, Humphrey, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI), and Youth Ambassadors. U.S. Ambassador Adam E. Namm poses with alumni from Fulbright, Humphrey, International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), Study of the U.S. Institutes (SUSI), and Youth Ambassadors. Photo Credit, U.S. Department of State
The U.S. Department of State hosted a Regional Alumni Seminar on Social Inclusion for Economic Development in Quito, Ecuador for 20 alumni of exchange programs from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Uruguay. These emerging and successful entrepreneurs and NGO leaders are working to ensure greater economic inclusion for communities of indigenous and Afro-descendent populations, disadvantaged youth, persons with disabilities, the LGBT community, and women.
 
In 2013, Secretary Kerry noted that the “real challenge of the 21st century in the Americas will be how we use our democratic governments to deliver development, overcome poverty, and improve social inclusion.” To meet this challenge, alumni in Quito collaborated on strategies that will advance economic development through increased social inclusion opportunities for historically marginalized communities in their countries
 
Not only did alumni learn from each other, but they also learned about economic inclusion efforts in the region. Alejandra Castillo, the first woman of Hispanic descent to lead the Minority Business Development Agency, shared economic inclusion efforts for minority groups in the United States. Alumni also learned how grassroots groups and NGOs are providing job training to youth in Peru and Ecuador through support from the Inter-American Foundation (IAF).