USAID Partners with OAS to Empower Youth in Central America

USAID is collaborating with the Organization of American States to promote Central American regional security initiatives through the Armando Paz (Arming Peace) project. Part of the USAID-funded OAS Crime Prevention Program, Armando Paz provides innovative media partnerships for at-risk youth and supports the development and implementation of crime prevention public policies. In the coming weeks, the OAS will hold four national conferences in Guatemala (October 26th), Panama (October 29th),  (November 3rd), and Nicaragua (November 5th).  Via multiple media—a website, text messaging, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and radio and television—Armando Paz has been soliciting young people’s suggestions on how to create a more peaceful society.  Those with the best ideas will be invited to the conferences, where they will be teamed with other young people, a business leader, and a government leader to bring their ideas to fruition.  This project is part of the Central America Regional Security Initiative (CARSI) Economic and Social Development Fund regional program and will help raise awareness about the importance of prevention in the fight against crime and violence.