Agreement on Human Development in Guatemala

This post is also available in: Spanish

The leaders of Guatemala’s most important political parties recently signed a historic agreement (en español) aimed at reducing high levels of chronic childhood malnutrition, improving education quality, and equipping youth with the skills needed for labor market success. 

The agreement, put forward by the Foundation for the Development of Guatemala (FUNDESA), was signed at an annual meeting of business leaders (ENADE), and witnessed by the president; indigenous community leaders; heads of the Catholic and Evangelical churches; the ambassadors of Spain, the United States, Sweden, Chile, Colombia, and Mexico; and former president of Mexico Ernesto Zedillo. It marks an effort by civil society leaders to build broad and enduring consensus on social issues that can withstand the pressures of partisan politics.

Additional Links:

• “Políticos, sociedad civil y empresarios signan acuerdo de Desarrollo Humano” – October 11. By L. Álvarez y J. Santos, El Periódico (en español).
• “Políticos firman tres pactos durante Enade” – October 11. By Geovanni Contreras y Roxana Larios, La Prensa Libre (en español).
• “Políticos firman histórico acuerdo de desarrollo humano” – October 11. By Celso Solano, Siglo 21 (en español).
• “Will a New Development Accord Succeed in Guatemala?” – November 6. Q & A with Salvador Paiz, Jeffrey Puryear, and James M. Meyer, Latin America Advisor.