“We are thrilled to be bringing together leaders, members, and volunteers to explore new approaches to locally-led development. By sharing our successes and challenges, we can learn from each other and build a stronger, more inclusive future for our communities," John McPhail, Partners of the Americas President & CEO, said about the 2023 What Works Conference.

Partners' President & CEO John McPhail and senior leadership attended the Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Expo on April 24, 2023, to connect with over 150 Washington, D.C. businesses, the D.C. Mayor’s Office, and Latin American embassies that empower and provide services for the local Hispanic community.

In March 2023, Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Volunteer Dr. Clairmont Clementson supported Bristol Carter Farm in Guyana as a Biogas Expert. He provided training in biogas production and assisted in designing and establishing a biogas unit. There is now a biogas unit installed and the farm has the capacity to conduct production to manage cow waste during the rainy season. If you are interested in participating in a F2F assignment and traveling to one of our host countries, please email farmertofarmer@partners.net with your resume or CV attached.

Partners' Labor Unit is excited to announce the extension of our Mexico United 2026 project through September 30, 2023. The project, financed by the U.S. Department of State, currently works to raise awareness of labor rights in Mexico as the country prepares to co-host the 2026 FIFA World Cup along with the United States and Canada. This extension will allow the project to continue its partnerships with key government and civil society organizations, as well as FIFA itself, to strengthen protections for workers' rights in the context of the World Cup. Activities planned under this extension include developing virtual awareness-raising materials; hosting events on labor rights and mega-sporting events; and collaborating with civil society organizations to support Mexico's host cities in strengthening their plans to protect the rights of workers, attendees, and athletes participating during the global event.

Mark your calendars for May 3, 2023, for the launch of a new 100,000 Strong in the Americas Alliance for Climate Action (100K CLIMA) grant competition. This 100K Innovation Fund competition, generously supported by CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is designed to support innovative, inclusive training and exchange programs for students through strategic, institutional partnerships between the U.S. and Chile, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

In April, our Juntos Aprendemos project received recognition from across the Americas. USAID's Center for Education featured the project in its April News and Updates. The project was presented in a panel with USAID representatives during the regional meeting of the Foundational Learning Coalition, "The Commitment to Action on Basic Learning and Recovery: Latin America and the Caribbean Committed!". Also, the platform, Barometro de Xenofobia, which analyzes online conversations about the migrant population in Colombia, recently discussed the project's participation and contributions at the MIT Migration Summit on April 11, 2023.

On April 28, 2023, the DEI Committee invited Partners' Home Office Staff in Washington, D.C. to volunteer at the Vida Senior Centers, which enrich the lives of a multicultural aging community. Staff danced with seniors as a part of their "Friday Fiesta." Through this opportunity, our staff lived Partners' value of volunteering and made these senior citizens' days brighter.

The Conectando Caminos por los Derechos en las Escuelas program ("Connecting Pathways for Rights in Schools" in English), began in Cartagena, Colombia, during the first semester of 2023, administered by our Juntos Aprendemos program. Conectando Caminos is a strategy of USAID that promotes preventing violations of human rights with a migratory approach.

As a benefit to all of our Chapter members across the Americas, members can book professional meeting spaces for free at our Washington, D.C. Home Office. All of our conference and meeting rooms are perfect for trainings, meetings, and events. Our newly renovated spaces are equipped with medium-to-large tables, comfortable seats, high-quality video-conferencing technology, wireless internet, and well-stocked coffee and tea stations. Individual members can also use one of our “hot desks,” which are individual offices with chairs and monitors that connect to your laptop. When Chapters visit D.C., they will have a place to convene and change lives. Please email membership@partners.net or click here for more information.