Karen Castro, POETA Project Officer

February 15 was a special and meaningful day, as I had the honor of being the godmother at the graduation of 65 participants of the CIMA Project, an initiative driven by Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad AC (JCC), our local partner in vibrant Mexico City. On this day of celebration, I shared a few simple yet profound words with the graduates, urging them to continue with determination on their path, to seize every opportunity that comes their way, and to raise their voices to express their desires for continuous learning and growth. During my speech, I wanted to highlight the transformative power of partnerships and how, by joining forces, we can turn ideas into tangible actions, thereby contributing to forging a more prosperous future for society as a whole. The visit was not only a moment to celebrate the individual achievements of the participants, but also to reflect on the lasting impact that the CIMA Project has on their lives and the community at large. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the dedicated team at Jóvenes Constructores de la Comunidad for their tireless work and commitment to the success of women in Mexico City. Their labor has been fundamental to the successful implementation of the CIMA Project over the past two years. This experience reaffirms my conviction in the power of initiatives that empower women and transform communities. I am excited for the future that awaits these brave women and proud to have been a part of their journey toward meaningful empowerment. Let us continue working together to build a world where all women have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

The recent Third Inclusion Week, organized by The Trust for the Americas, was an eye-opening event that brought Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its transformative power in our contemporary society into the spotlight. Under the theme ”Artificial Intelligence for All: Unlocking Technology and Knowledge,” the POETA Program provided invaluable insights into how AI can become a tool for inclusion and empowerment for everyone.  From the opening remarks by Linda Eddleman, Executive Director of The Trust for the Americas, the focus was on the ethical and productive approach driving AI, highlighting its crucial role in educational and workplace inclusion. The participation of nongovernmental organizations, academics, international experts, and tech giant Microsoft underscored the importance of and shared commitment to this path toward digital inclusion.  Throughout the week, in-depth and enriching sessions took place. ”AI for Productivity” with Jorge Cella, Director of Microsoft Philanthropies in the Americas, marked the start of a fruitful dialogue on how AI can boost productivity in various fields. Later, in ”Integrating AI into Content for Education and Employability,” prominent representatives from Chile, Colombia, and Mexico—representing the local partners of the POETA DigiSpark project—shared their perspectives on the crucial role of AI in education and employment.  The interview with Leonardo Ortiz of Code.org on ”AI for Teaching and Learning” delved into how this technology can transform the way we learn and teach. Meanwhile, the session on ”Responsible Use of AI and Inclusion” with Andrés Rengifo of Microsoft underscored the importance of an ethical and responsible approach to the development and implementation of AI.  Pierina Nepote, Senior Program Manager at POETA, closed out this enriching week by highlighting The Trust’s commitment to making technology—especially AI—accessible to all communities seeking to empower themselves and gain access to economic and educational opportunities.  The Third Trust Inclusion Week has been a journey of discovery and empowerment that has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on the path toward a more inclusive and technologically advanced world. We look forward to building on these insights as part of our ongoing commitment to inclusion and innovation. To learn more, we invite you to read the report on the Third Trust Inclusion Week here