Launching of the second School of Economics – Poder Pacífico 2017 (Pacific Power 2017). The Pacific: an ocean of opportunitie

With the support of CAF, Development Bank of Latin America, jointly with the Faculty of Economics of the Universidad de los Andes, on February 6th, the Corporation Manos Visibles will launch the 2nd School of Economics - Poder Pacífico 2017 in the District of Buenaventura. On this occasion, more than 270 leaders of the Pacific coast (North and South Node) responded to the call, of which, after a rigorous selection process, 67 leaders from 20 municipalities of the coastal area were chosen to participate in this new version of the study program.

Paula Moreno, President of Manos Visibles (Visible Hands), points out " the extreme poverty that decreased in the country, increased in the Pacific coast. This evidences how illegal economies dominate and how the environmental effects are impacting. It is essential to think of the development of a socio-economic model that belongs to the Pacific area. This is an opportunity to reflect and act". 

One of the alarms in the Pacific is the level of poverty of the people who live in the region. Chocó and Cauca have the highest levels of poverty in the country despite having the most dynamic economy in the area, with a 9.2 percent participation in the GDP, and being a region strategically located for Colombian foreign trade and economic growth. However, illegality, the consequences of violence, and the extractive economic dynamics, are factors that negatively influence the development of the Pacific. Paula Moreno emphasized " There is no peace without a prosperous Pacific with activities that are legal and according to the specific environmental and cultural aspects. For this reason, we support a development that comes from the people, with the people, and for the people. Economics dominate politics and other citizenship exercises, so this School of Economics is urgent". 

The 2nd School of Economics 2017 addresses these challenges. It starts with the Forum "La economía del Pacífico: Territorios, Desarrollo y la Construcción de Paz" (The economy of the Pacific: Territories, Development, and Peace Building), on February 6th from 2 to 5 P.M. at the Argos Auditorium in the Hotel Cosmos Pacífico, in Buenaventura. Entrance is free with prior confirmation until January 30th, 2017. This Forum will include the discussion of perspectives, challenges, and opportunities of a sustainable economic development for the Pacific region in Colombia, in the framework of the implementation of the peace agreements.  

The Forum will also include presentations by national and international experts on issues related to economics, territorial development, peace building, and inclusion. Speakers will include Carolina España, CAF's Director Representative in Colombia, Christian Asinelli, CAF's Director of Institutional Development, Diego Bautista, Director of Territorial Peace at the Presidency of the Republic, Juan Camilo Cárdenas, Dean of the Faculty of Economics at the Universidad de los Andes; Pedro Víctor Guevara, Mayor's Office of Buenaventura, and Paula Moreno, President of the Manos Visibles Corporation.  

Dr. Juan Camilo Cárdenas, Dean and Full Professor at the Faculty of Economics of the Universidad de los Andes, points out, "Through the 2nd School of Economics - Poder Pacifico, we expect to raise the interest  of the leaders of the region to encourage new generations of youths to study economics in the best faculties of the region, so that later on they can influence public policy decisions and the generation of entrepreneurships and development models that are appropriate for their regions". 

Christian Asinelli highlighted that CAF has been supporting the Manos Visibles Corporation since 2015 in the creation of the non-formal education program of the School of Economics Poder Pacifico. "Undoubtedly,  education is one of the best tools to promote development and reduce the inequality gap in our countries. We believe that it is essential to help leaders acquire updated knowledge and strengthen their skills, so that they can empower their leaderships to have a real impact on their needy communities in Colombia"  He expressed his gratitude once more for the opportunity to actively collaborate with the growth of this region through education.