CAF and The Trust for the Americas signed an agreement to promote opportunities for Latin American youths.
Enrique Garcia, Executive President of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, and Linda H. Eddleman, Executive Director of The Trust for the Americas, signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Washington to work jointly in the promotion of opportunities for young people in all Latin America.
(Washington D.C. and Caracas, October 11, 2013). The ceremony was presided by the Secretary General of the OAS, Jose Miguel Insulza, and CAF's Executive President, Enrique Garcia, with the participation of Linda Eddleman, Executive Director of Trust for the Americas, and the assistance of some of the Executive Board members, including Alfonso Quiñonez, OAS's External Relations Secretary; Enrique Segura, CEO Ense Group; Scarlett Alvarez (AES); Chief Stakeholder Officer, Global Utilities at AES Corp.; and June DeHart, partner of Manatt, Phelps and Phillips, LLP.
During the ceremony, Enrique Garcia pointed out that "the initiative's main objective is to contribute in the improvement of life conditions, access to education, technology, and employment for Latin American youths", and added that "the generation of new opportunities for youths is one of the priority actions to decrease inequality in the region".
The agreement includes opening technology centers, financial education, vocational training, and employment for youths in different Latin American countries.
Jose Miguel Insulza, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, noted that "for the OAS, it is essential to support these types of alliances that CAF and the Trust for the Americas subscribe today, as it is through them that the hemisphere's comprehensive development may be achieved and, in particular, a future full of opportunities for youths in our region may be ensured".
Finally, Linda H. Eddeleman, Executive Director of Trust, stated that the organization is implementing the Poet program in 21 countries, promoting access to technology, education, and employment opportunities for handicapped individuals, populations affected by armed conflicts, and youths at risk, adding that "we carry out training tasks and we have a multidisciplinary working team which includes people from different regions of the hemisphere".
Mutual cooperation in youth programs may be carried out through technical and financial assistance. For these effects, the parties may contribute own resources or resources obtained from third party donors.