Leaders for the Transformation Program graduates 594 new leaders

La Paz, November 23, 2011.- CAF - Latin American development bank - graduated 594 new Bolivian leaders at the close of the Seventh Leadership for the Transformation Program in the city of La Paz. The program is implemented in Bolivia in partnership with the IDEA Foundation.

 

During the closing ceremony, CAF director representative in Bolivia Emilio Uquillas said the institution, in addition to financing infrastructure projects, has a working agenda with people, with citizens because this is the most effective tool for changing society. He told the graduates, "we are confident you will achieve the transformation not only in Bolivia but in Latin America, because human capital is a country's main resource for achieving the long-awaited economic development."

 

Uquillas asked the new leaders to use the tools taught them to build consensus through dialogue in their communities, and urged them to apply values ​​such as tolerance to strengthen the citizenship building processes.

 

The Seventh Leaders for the Transformation Program lasted eight months and was held in the cities of Cochabamba, El Alto, La Paz, Llallagua, Oruro, Pando, Potosí, Riberalta, Santa Cruz, Sucre, Tarija and Trinidad with the participation of people selected by social organizations which certified and endorsed their position as practicing leaders.

 

Gloria Betancourt, an executive from CAF headquarters, said the project was a new training exercise which makes tools of analysis widely available and aims to strengthen citizenship building and democratic governance.

 

Luis Fernando Saavedra, president of the IDEA Foundation, said the country requires leaders who are capable of changing direction in the context in which we live, which is why it is an honor for this foundation to train leaders from a range of social organizations.

 

Of the 594 graduates, 51% were men and 49% women; 74% were from urban areas and 26% rural areas.

 

The social organizations which increased their participation in the seventh program are related to social control, neighborhood councils and vigilance committees (17%). Other participants were leaders of unions and federations (16%), along with social development organizations; 11% from NGOs; 8% from the production area and associations of micro, small and medium enterprises; and 7% from student centers.

 

So far the seven programs in Bolivia have graduated 4,292 leaders.