FP Virtual Dialogue: Fostering Resilience in Northern Central America

July 22, 2021

Rethinking approaches to regional development and forced migration

In the face of deteriorating political, socio-economic, and environmental conditions, hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing countries from across northern Central America. International efforts have thus far failed to stem the crisis, while humanitarian responses don’t address the root causes, regional fragility, and complex challenges driving forced migration.

Recognizing the urgency and complexity of this evolving crisis, and the need for innovative and collaborative solutions, Foreign Policy has partnered with World Vision and the World Bank on a first-of-its-kind simulation focused on resilience. Leading practitioners from across sectors work through a scenario that challenges them to navigate the compounding factors causing internal displacement and forced migration from Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras.

To learn about the insights and recommendations generated during the simulation, and to discuss this urgent issue, watch out thought-provoking FP Virtual Dialogue which convened leaders and experts from government, private sector and civil society. Our conversation explored a changing paradigm for regional development and capacity-building that prioritizes fostering resilience and systemic reform to help stem forced migration.

Our program addressed these questions:

What does a resilience framework look like with regard to addressing the structural causes of migration across northern Central America? What does such an approach tell us about policy, investment, and resource allocation decisions?
How can different stakeholders support more adaptive approaches to international crisis management?
What is the role of comprehensive risk assessment in anticipating regional challenges and developing humanitarian interventions that build capacity/resilience against those threats?
What did the simulation teach us about how resiliency approaches might break down silos and support more absorptive, adaptive, and transformative capacities to address risks, root challenges and mitigate crises?

Join the conversation online using #ResilientCentralAmerica

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Speakers

Allison Carlson

MANAGING DIRECTOR, FP ANALYTICS

Allison oversees all global research and analysis. She counsels clients on current and prospective market, policy, and security developments with a focus on emerging trends, sce...

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João Diniz

Regional Leader, Latin America and the Caribbean Region, World Vision

João Helder Diniz (Brazil) is the Regional Leader of World Vision International for Latin America and the Caribbean. He...

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Mileydi Guilarte

Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, USAID

Mileydi Guilarte serves as Deputy Assistant Administrator within USAID's Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Before joining the LAC Bureau, Guilarte was the...

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Ricardo Pareja

Head of Sales and Market Development for the Humanitarian & Development group, Mastercard

Mr. Ricardo Pareja is currently the Head of Sales & Market Development for the Humanitarian & Development group, a social enterprise within Mastercard, focused on drivin...

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Edgar Sandoval

President and CEO, World Vision U.S.

Born in Los Angeles, Sandoval grew up in Central and South America, where he first witnessed poverty. His own experience with hardship came at age 18, w...

Born in Los Angeles, Sandoval grew up in Central and South America, where he first witnessed poverty. His own experience with hardship came at age 18, when he returned alone to the U.S. with only $50 in his pocket. He worked minimum-wage jobs while studying English as a second language, later earning bachelor’s degrees in industrial engineering and sociology from Rutgers University and an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. Edgar was recruited by General Electric and later by Procter & Gamble, where over a 20-year career he made significant contributions to the corporation’s growth and reputation. As P&G’s senior vice president and general manager of global feminine care, he directed the creation and launch of the internationally acclaimed #LikeAGirl campaign. Edgar came to World Vision in 2015 as Chief Operating Officer for three years, he directed fundraising programs that generated over $1 billion in donations and strengthened financial and organizational health. As World Vision president and CEO since Oct. 1, 2018, Edgar has placed a strong emphasis on World Vision’s faith identity, evidence of impact, and transformational journey of staff, donors, and program participants. He serves on the board of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. In recent years Edgar has been quoted in national media; spoken at events such as the Q Conference and Christian Leadership Alliance Outcomes Conference; appeared in National Geographic’s “Activate” TV series; and launched Chosen®, a new invitation to child sponsorship. Edgar cherishes faith and family above all. He has been married 29 years to Leiza, a former teacher who was born and raised in Puerto Rico and graduated from Xavier University. Edgar and Leiza live near Seattle, Washington, and they have four children, including two daughters with special needs. Edgar’s understanding of the unlimited potential of every child, instilled in him while raising his daughters, is an asset to World Vision’s mission to reach and empower the world’s most vulnerable children.

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Luis Suazo

Ambassador of Honduras to the U.S.

Since 2018, Luis Fernando Suazo serves as the General Coordinator of the Government, with the rank of Minister, for Prevention, Security and Defen...

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Ricardo Zúñiga

Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle, U.S. Department of State

Ricardo Zúñiga is a career member of the U.S. Senior Foreign Service and the Special Envoy for the Northern Triangle. Until March 15, 2021, he was the Interim Director of the ...

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