Panamanian leaders graduate from the Leadership for Change Program

Ninety-seven leaders from Panama graduated from the Leadership for Change Program at the headquarters of David, Bugaba (High Lands), and Barú, implemented by the Universidad Santa María la Antigua (USMA) with the support of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America. 

During the closing event, the program's academic coordinator Alfonso Quirós, encouraged participants to "continue developing themselves as transforming leaders in a society that increasingly demands more citizen participation, with transparency and equity". At the same time, Juan Planells, Dean of the USMA, highlighted the role that training initiatives have for the development of improved skills at different government levels.  

Susana Pinilla, CAF's Director Representative in Panama stated, "Panama is rich not because of the Isthmus of Panama, but also because of the Baru volcano that allows it to have highly productive land in the region of Chiriquí; we have world level documented experience in agricultural exports that reach very demanding markets, and this has been possible as a result of a population with an enormous entrepreneurial capacity. The Leadership for Change Program strengthens this social capital which is so necessary for the development of the region and, therefore, for the country".  

Arístides Arauz, a student at the Highlands headquarters, commented, "When support is provided to the community and a certification course such as this comes to your region, you are able to develop things that you always wanted. After participating in this course, as leaders we will build strong pillars for the new district of High Lands. We have a strong commitment of not only acquiring knowledge through this course, but rather to achieve everything that we have wanted for our region". 

The First National Meeting for Governance and Leadership graduates will take place in Panama in 2016. It will include former participants of previous versions of the Program in the framework of the Latin American Governance Network.