Untold Stories of Hope and Change in Guatemala

In 1996 Guatemala signed the Peace Accords ending a 36-year civil war and creating laws, which if fully implemented, would put into place social policies that would greatly benefit the majority of Guatemalans - especially the poor and indigenous people. Guatemala’s transition from dictatorship to electoral democracy has been a rocky road, with government corruption in part derailing the implementation of the Accords, deflating high hopes for just and sustainable development. Fortunately there are powerful signs that Guatemalans are organizing themselves effectively through peaceful means. More and more community leaders and organizations are emerging to address the needs of the people and to challenge unjust and inequitable policies.

Untold Stories of Leadership in Guatemala will highlight some of the initiatives being developed in rural communities, by indigenous people who are creating solutions for themselves. The panel will discuss recent human rights issues in Guatemala and what community groups are doing to promote their rights and ensure their voices are heard. Paola Gianturco has recently published ¡Viva Colores! which celebrates the spirit and hard work of these communities. Yael Falicov was critical in leveraging funds to support Guatemalan community groups after Hurricane Stan swept away hundreds of homes. Edgar Ayala will focus on the Guatemalan immigrant community and the role it plays in contributing to positive change in Guatemala.

Join us for an opportunity to learn more about this vibrant society and the stories of the people fighting for the rights of their families and livelihoods within their communities. Crafts from Guatemala will be available to purchase and Paola will be signing copies of her book!

Panelists:
Edgar Ayala, Co-Founder of Conguate
Yael Falicov, Latin America Program Director, IDEX
Paola Gianturco, Author of ¡Viva Colores!
Pete Stanga, Executive Director, IDEX - moderator