Migration & Development in Central America: Perspectives for the Alliance for Prosperity

We are pleased to invite you to a discussion of current trends and policy options regarding migration and development in Central America, particularly in light of the recent congressional funding approval of the Alliance for Prosperity. The session will be held on Wednesday, January 13th from 8:45-10:30 am at the Inter-American Dialogue (1211 Connecticut Ave, NW Suite 510 in Washington, DC). 

Manuel Orozco and Julia Yansura of the Inter-American Dialogue will discuss the main findings of their newly released book, Centroamérica en la mira: La migración en su relación con el desarrollo y las oportunidades para el cambio (Central America in Focus: The Relationship of Migration to Development and Opportunities for Change), the product of three years of fieldwork in the region. Orozco and Yansura urge consideration of a development strategy that emphasizes human capital as the best way to reduce mass migration and increase social inclusion. Their ideas are especially relevant in light of the continuing migration crisis from Central America’s Northern Triangle countries and increased US assistance to the region.

We are delighted that Ambassador Francisco Altschul of the Embassy of El Salvador, Armando Trull of WAMU and Mark Lopes, United States Executive Director at the Inter-American Development Bank, have agreed to offer commentary on the book’s main findings.

Opening remarks will be followed by a wide-ranging exchange with participants.