Leonardo Velez De Villa

March 5, 2021: In celebration of International Open Data Day, an event is being held to raise awareness about the importance of youth participation in the processes of opening up and using data. Washington, D.C., March 5, 2021 – In partnership with IPANDETEC, The Trust for the Americas is organizing a virtual event to discuss how to incorporate youth participation in the demand for and use of Open Data. This free virtual event will take place on March 5 at 3 p.m. (ET) via Zoom and will be streamed on the Facebook pages of IPANDETEC and The Trust for the Americas. The planned agenda for the event is as follows: 3:00 p.m. Introduction: Who are we? Belisario Castillo (IPANDETEC) and Rodrigo Iriani (Trust for the Americas) 3:10 p.m. Introduction to Open Data. Jorge Umaña (The Trust for the Americas) 3:20 p.m. Youth Participation in Open Data to Combat Corruption. Jorge Umaña (The Trust for the Americas) 3:40 p.m. Y4OD Projects. Patricia Aguilar (Mi plata en obras) and María Kapell (Ciudadanía activa) 3:50 p.m. Launch: Y4OD Experience. Ariaxna Vásquez (IPANDETEC) and Andrea López (The Trust for the Americas). To demonstrate the importance of youth in these initiatives, the experience of the Youth 4 Open Data (Y4OD) program will be presented to highlight the role that young people can play in these processes, especially within the framework of the Inter-American Open Data Program to Combat Corruption (PIDA) promoted by the Summits of the Americas of the Organization of American States (OAS). This event is part of the “Innovation through Open Data in Panama” project, of which the Y4OD program is also a part. This initiative aims to provide concrete opportunities for young students, technology enthusiasts, and youth organizations from different regions to build capacity and implement innovative initiatives that use Open Data to improve their communities. This event seeks to highlight the role of young people in Latin America and the Caribbean. Young people have demonstrated, on numerous occasions, that they play a fundamental role in shaping the future that awaits them—a future that is more transparent, equitable, and sustainable than the present. ** * About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Panama

March 4, 2021 To commemorate International Open Data Day, the National Authority for Transparency and Access to Information (ANTAI) is hosting a virtual event on the importance of open data in preventing corruption. Panama, April 3, 2021 – Under the theme “Open Data to Combat Corruption,” experts from various organizations are meeting virtually to discuss the topic and highlight the role played by the various stakeholders working on information disclosure processes.  This event will take place on Thursday, March 4, at 10 a.m. (ET). It is open to the public and will be streamed live on ANTAI’s Facebook page. The scheduled agenda for the event is as follows: 10:00 a.m. Opening remarks, Elsa Fernández, ANTAI. 10:10 a.m. The State of Open Data in Panama, Luis del Vasto, AIG. 10:25 a.m. Implementation of the PIDA in Panama, Camilo Cetina, CAF. 10:40 a.m. Open Data to Combat Corruption, Jorge Umaña, Trust For The Americas. 10:55 a.m. Closing remarks by Juan Pablo Rodríguez, MC. This event is part of the “Innovation through Open Data in Panama” project being carried out by Trust in the country, with the aim of encouraging local governments and civil society in Panama to collaboratively create spaces for discussion, collaboration, and deliberation on public policies regarding Open Data. The discussion features high-level participants, including: Elsa Fernández, Director of ANTAI; Camilo Cetina, Director of Government Innovation at CAF; Luis del Basto, Director of Information Sciences at AIG; and Jorge Umaña, Project Coordinator in Costa Rica for The Trust for the Americas. This important day reminds us that transparency processes using Open Data help both governments and societies become more efficient, sustainable, resilient, and prosperous. ** * About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This fundamental partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas

February 17, 2021, Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, February 16, Milagro Martínez, Permanent Representative of the Organization of American States (OAS) in Costa Rica, presented Foreign Minister Rodolfo Solano with a report titled “Strengthening the Capacities of the Government of Costa Rica and Host Communities to Receive and Integrate Nicaraguan Migrants and Refugees.” In this context, the OAS Secretary General, through the Department of Social Inclusion of the Secretariat for Access to Rights and Equity, prepared a report that compiles the recommendations made by government institutions, civil society organizations, academia, and international organizations to the Costa Rican government regarding migration and the international protection of refugees. “Only through dialogue and cooperation can we adopt a holistic and comprehensive—yet at the same time diligent and strategic—approach to continue seeking concrete solutions to the challenges of the present and the future,” explained Foreign Minister Rodolfo Solano, “The report is an important tool for strengthening national efforts to improve the care provided to this population.” Costa Rica has historically been the main transit and destination country for people from other countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, absorbing 90% of regional migrants. Since the socio-political crisis in Nicaragua began in April 2018, Costa Rica has experienced a sustained increase in asylum requests from Nicaraguans, in addition to applicants from other countries such as Venezuela and Cuba. The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated these challenges, and it is imperative that they be effectively addressed, as migrants find themselves in a vulnerable situation and are often victims of aggression and various forms of intolerance. In November 2020, Costa Rica announced the creation of the Special Category of Complementary Temporary Protection, which grants refugees—particularly those from Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Cuba—the right to legally remain in the country and work. Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian, Director of the OAS Department of Social Inclusion, acknowledged that “it is not only significant in terms of optimizing measures in this area, expanding regularization and international protection, but also for what it will mean for the beneficiaries and for other countries that will be able to look to Costa Rica as a model for migration management with a human rights-based approach.” Likewise, Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian expressed gratitude for the joint efforts of the Costa Rican government, the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation, and the Republic of Korea, and recognized The Trust for the Americas as a partner in implementing the work on the ground, noting its extensive track record in Central America, where it has benefited more than 150,000 members of vulnerable communities. Muñoz-Pogossian added: “We are confident that we can contribute to the economic integration of these individuals at the local and national levels, as well as expand the benefits and strengths they bring to their host communities.” Recently, the work of The Trust for the Americas has focused on capacity building to foster open government, and on creating community technology centers—six of which are in Costa Rica (located in San José, Alajuela, and Cartago)—through which free training in technology, job readiness, and rights empowerment, among other things, is provided. These centers serve as spaces for inclusion, learning, and culture, and will serve as a base for facilitating activities aimed at the socioeconomic integration of the Nicaraguan migrant and refugee population currently residing in Costa Rica. *** About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Costa Rica

October 30, 2020, Mexico City, October 29, 2020.—According to the country’s latest Economic Census, 43.8% of the population engaged in economic activities are women, which is why, from September 2016 to the present, the VIVE Project has been implemented in Mexico. The project was developed by The Trust for the Americas, a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). VIVE has trained 71,667 people, of whom 56,753 are women from 245 municipalities in 29 states of the Mexican Republic. “Since March of this year, at The Trust for the Americas and the VIVE Project, we had to shift our training program to an online format in response to COVID-19. This presented an operational and logistical challenge. And thanks to the team’s prompt response, professionalism, and adaptability, we were able to adjust,” said Linda Eddleman, Executive Director at The Trust for the Americas. Among the key findings: Women account for 37% of the unemployed population aged 15 and older, according to Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI). Of these, 64% of women over the age of 15 lack a high school education, which reduces their chances of securing regular, formal employment, according to the 2017 Mexican Statistical Yearbook. For this reason, Proyecto VIVE focused on this population and implemented technical training, interpersonal skills training, and workshops on the prevention of violence against girls and women, as well as training to advocate for and assert their labor rights, with a focus on protecting their health, education, dignity, and development, as well as maternity protection. “Proyecto VIVE has focused its efforts on women living in vulnerable circumstances, which means they face socioeconomic disadvantage, poor academic performance, domestic violence, unemployment, or irregular employment,” reported the Executive Director of The Trust for the Americas. During the event, the “Recipe Book for Powerful Women: ”Stories to Inspire You“” was presented, compiling 71 success stories. “We wanted the opportunity to share a sample of these stories of change and resilience, and today we are pleased to present this book of stories: Recipe Book for Powerful Women: Stories to Inspire You, in which we have compiled 71 stories—one for every thousand graduates,” concluded Linda Eddleman. “Recipe Book for Powerful Women: STORIES TO INSPIRE YOU” Much of the project’s success is due to the teamwork carried out in collaboration with organizations such as: the ManpowerGroup Foundation, an expert in employability issues, the Professor Eva Rodríguez de Camou Foundation, and the Municipality of Toluca through Ambientes de Paz y Desarrollo; in addition to the collaboration of local youth authorities in various states, state departments, and regional offices. Gayatri Agnew, Senior Director of Opportunities at the Walmart Foundation, recalled that “four years ago, when the VIVE Project began, ambitious goals were set, and today we are amazed by the results. We have gone beyond providing training and building skills. Today, thousands of women in Mexico have better opportunities to find a job, start a business, and make decisions with freedom and independence, thanks to the VIVE Project.” Gayatri added that “the philanthropic approach is rooted in our company’s (Walmart U.S.) mission to create opportunities so that people can live better lives. This initiative (Proyecto VIVE) is an example of the shared commitment by Walmart, the Walmart Foundation, and The Trust for the Americas to make an impact and create value in our communities.” Ambassador Aníbal Quiñonez, the OAS representative in Mexico, celebrated the achievements of the VIVE Project, noting that “the OAS is committed to promoting substantive equality and has taken a leadership role in the region. Projects like VIVE are a tangible example of this goal. And in this regard, to reaffirm our commitment to more rights for more people… We invite everyone to follow Trust and join its regional efforts to continue working toward guaranteeing more rights for more people, especially those in the most vulnerable situations.” During her remarks, Alejandra Mora Mora, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM), recognized the work of Trust for the Americas for joining forces to benefit women in Mexico. ”Today I want to highlight two contributions. The first is to celebrate VIVE for believing in women, because the world’s commitment must be to believe in women… Thank you to Trust for the Americas for its work on behalf of women, and thank you for including the CIM in this effort.” The event was attended by: Ambassador Aníbal Enrique Quiñónez, OAS Representative in Mexico; Alejandra Mora Mora, Executive Secretary of the Inter-American Commission of Women (CIM); and Gayatri Agnew, Senior Director, Opportunities at the Walmart Foundation. It is worth noting that the Proyecto VIVE training programs feature certifiable standards endorsed by the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), which outline competencies aligned with industry standards. The first 20 hours of the training cover technical subjects (sales promotion, sales, customer service, and marketing), while the remaining 20 hours focus on life skills (digital literacy, leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship). It is important to mention that upon completing the training, 97% participants see an improvement in professional skills—particularly in merchandise handling and distribution—and 93% participants acquire excellent abilities to secure jobs in sales and customer service.” Currently, the training programs are available online at https://aulavirtual.trustfortheamericas.org/. The educational offerings include: customer service, sales, promotional activities, violence prevention, basic tools for entrepreneurship, and the webinar “Entrepreneurship in Times of Crisis.” For more information, visit: www.trust-oea.org/vive Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas VIVE Project: @ProyectoVIVEMx About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational opportunities and

October 16, 2020 The Trust For the Americas is excited to announce our partnership with Rumie to bring resources to your communities that help them succeed. Our mission is to provide vulnerable communities with job readiness tools and hands-on skills to help them become self-sufficient. We’re working with Rumie to make useful learning opportunities available to those who need them most, inspiring people to succeed and communities to thrive. Rumie-Learn is a free digital library of micro-learning “Bytes” focused on life and career development. Anyone can use Rumie-Learn to enhance their soft skills in areas such as innovation and job skills. Bytes are 10 minutes or less, making them 20% more effective than traditional online learning—and it’s completely free. The Trust For the Americas has also partnered with Rumie to create Bytes on innovation and entrepreneurship skills to distribute to our communities. Here is a Bytes module created by our Mexico team. Imagine someone who has recently received a laptop but doesn’t know where to start when it comes to putting together a great resume. They can use Rumie-Learn to perfect their resume, develop strong interviewing skills, and then learn how to communicate effectively with a new team—all within 30 minutes. If you’re interested in becoming a Rumie partner or simply learning more, please contact Tanya at tanya@rumie.org About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and collaborated with over 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives aim to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique alliance with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This foundational partnership is the cornerstone through which we build strong networks across member states and the private sector. As our region evolves, The Trust continues to thrive by addressing challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results. The Trust of the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. For more information: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Canada – Antigua & Barbuda – Argentina – Belize – Brazil – Chile – United States – Colombia – Costa Rica – Ecuador – El Salvador – Guatemala – Honduras – Jamaica – Mexico – Nicaragua – Panama – Peru – Puerto Rico – Dominican Republic – St. Kitts & Nevis – St. Lucia – St. Vincent & the Grenadines – Venezuela

September 29, 2020, Washington, D.C.—Alejandro de León, Daniel Justavino, and Norberto Cáceres, students at the Technological University of Panama, in technical collaboration with The Trust for the Americas and ANTAI, are presenting an open-source application that allows users to view the Panamanian government’s budgets, expenditures, revenues, and agencies. As part of the “Innovation through Open Data in Panama” program, this initiative is one of three innovative open data projects that received initial funding and are being implemented by social entrepreneurs in Panama: Elsa Fernández, Director of ANTAI, comments on the strategic partnership with The Trust for the Americas in support of open government: “The most recent joint project has been the Budget Transparency app, developed by students at the UTP and delivered to ANTAI as a tool designed to make open data held by institutions more visible, thereby automating processes with the aim of improving the population’s quality of life.” The development of this application, which models the country’s institutional hierarchy, records the following items at a granular level: budgets, expenditures, revenues, and entities. Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager at Trust for the Americas, provided details on the platform’s utility: “The idea is that independent entities—such as individuals, companies, and nongovernmental organizations—can access the data managed by the system and use it for any type of scrutiny or analysis. For example, for reports, presentations, and various analyses, while respecting the freedom to publish and ownership of such transformations and scrutinies.” In Panama, Trust for the Americas is working with the national government to implement internationally agreed-upon Open Government standards under the Inter-American Open Data Program (PIDA). Trust is promoting the formation of a network comprising members of civil society, the media, the private sector, and local governments. Currently, The Trust for the Americas is using its Virtual Classroom to provide training courses for public officials, young people interested in open data, and the private sector. The launch of this transparency platform takes place as part of the celebration of Access to Information Week in Panama. Link to the portal: https://stp-transparencia.netlify.app/ If you would like to learn more about “Innovation through Open Data in Panama,” use the following hashtags to search on social media: #ForATransparentPanama #Y4ODPanama #Trust4Americas About The Trust for the Americas:  The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. Through the development of our region, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. The Trust for the Americas is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C.   Visit: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Panama

September 21, 2020, Agua Prieta, Sonora – The City Council of Agua Prieta, through the Women’s Institute, is joining forces with The Trust for the Americas to train more than 50 women from Sonora through the VIVE Project (Come, Be Inspired, and Sell) to strengthen their economic opportunities in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The partnership agreement was signed by the Mayor of Agua Prieta, who stated that “women’s development is key to the growth of society in every way; it is very important to support our women to strengthen the economy and help reduce violence against women.”  In this regard, María Fernanda Sierra Perea, Senior Program Manager at POETA, stated that “at The Trust for the Americas, we are firmly convinced that by promoting opportunities for women to become emotionally and economically independent, we build peace. Today we are pleased to partner with the municipal government of Agua Prieta to train women from Sonora. This partnership will provide them with tools to advance their personal and professional development, thereby benefiting women, their families, and their communities.” This training will be conducted virtually in accordance with the social distancing measures recommended by the World Health Organization. For more information, please contact the Agua Prieta Women’s Institute at 633 338 6913. The VIVE Project has been implemented in Mexico by The Trust for the Americas since 2016, thanks to support from the Walmart Foundation. The project aims to provide tools that enable women’s economic development and offer them alternatives to improve their economic situation and that of their families. Between 2016 and 2019, it trained more than 53,000 people nationwide. Of the total number of people trained, more than 43,000 are women (40% of whom are female heads of household). In addition, nearly 7,000 people were connected to economic opportunities (86% women; 60% were placed in full-time jobs, and 21% became self-employed or launched entrepreneurial projects). For more information, visit: www.trust-oea.org/vive Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas VIVE Project: @ProyectoVIVEMx About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results. Mexico

August 14, 2020, State of Mexico, August 13, 2020.—The mayor of Toluca, Juan Rodolfo Sánchez Gómez, signed a collaboration agreement with the manager of the VIVE Project (Come, Be Inspired, and Sell) of The Trust for the Americas, María Fernanda Sierra Perea, to provide free online training to dozens of women in Toluca during the COVID-19 pandemic. The mayor reaffirmed his commitment to boosting family economies by creating opportunities for women to develop and launch sustainable business ventures, while fostering a more inclusive and equitable society, as the partnership with The Trust for the Americas—a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS)—aims to narrow the gender employment gap and reduce violence against women. In this regard, the manager of the VIVE Project, María Fernanda Sierra Perea, stated that “at The Trust for the Americas, we are firmly convinced that by promoting opportunities for women to become emotionally and economically independent, we build peace. Today we are pleased to partner with the municipal government, through Ambientes de Paz, to provide training for women in Toluca. This partnership will provide them with tools to advance their personal and professional development, thereby benefiting women, their families, and their communities.” With the signing of the collaboration agreement, a digital strategy for training and economic opportunities will be developed in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic to offer quality training and content to women in Toluca. It is worth noting that the signing of this agreement took place remotely to comply with protocols for preventing the spread of the coronavirus. The VIVE Project has been implemented in Mexico by The Trust for the Americas since 2016, thanks to support from the Walmart Foundation. The project aims to provide tools that enable women’s economic development and offer them alternatives to improve their economic situation and that of their families. Between 2016 and 2019, it trained more than 53,000 people nationwide. Of the total number of people trained, more than 43,000 are women (40% of whom are female heads of household). In addition, nearly 7,000 people were connected to economic opportunities (86% women; 60% were placed in full-time jobs, and 21% became self-employed or launched entrepreneurial projects).  For more information, visit: www.trust-oea.org/vive Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas VIVE Project: @ProyectoVIVEMx About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This essential partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that foster cooperation for sustainable results. Mexico

August 14, 2020, Washington, D.C.- The Trust for the Americas, with support from The Mico University College and the N.C.B. Foundation, hosted the first-ever hybrid ideathon at the NCB ICON Lab in Jamaica. The NCB ICON Lab fosters an entrepreneurial and learning mindset among Jamaican youth to help them become role models and agents of change in their communities. ICON stands for Innovative, Creative, Outstanding, and Nationalistic. Twenty young students between the ages of 16 and 35 participated in this idea acceleration event. These students honed their innovation and entrepreneurship skills using the Trust’s flagship Ideathon Methodology: ICI (Innovation, Creativity, and Inspiration). Their ideas will support the local economy in a socially distanced environment and promote the productive use of waste materials to care for the most vulnerable communities in Jamaica. Students present at the NCB ICON Lab collaborated with those participating remotely through online breakout sessions. As a first step, each group generated as many ideas as possible. Next, participants were asked to identify the situation in their daily lives that frustrated them the most, as a way to understand the most pressing issues facing Jamaican society during the pandemic. Furthermore, each group had to evaluate their ideas based on feasibility, impact, relevance, and differentiation. Finally, the idea that successfully meets these four criteria is the one to be developed into a service or product using the Canvas Model. Thalia Lyn, Chair of the N.C.B. Foundation, emphasized the importance of these NCB ICON Lab initiatives in ensuring that the lockdown is not viewed as a “lockout” for the people. She concluded her remarks by inspiring the enthusiastic students, urging them to: “Be disruptors, always be agile, and keep expanding your minds. You are the innovators for the Jamaica 2030 project.”   Linda Eddleman, CEO of Trust for the Americas, attended the introductory session to support the participants: “After weeks of taking your online classes, you are beginning to identify different possibilities for improving businesses, processes, and solutions to everyday challenges. Today, you can bring these ideas to life and turn them into viable actions and solutions—let your imagination run wild. Given the passion and results-driven mindset I’ve seen in Jamaican youth, I’m certain we’ll see remarkable projects and ideas emerge from this Ideathon.” At the end of the second day, participants presented and defended their ideas before a jury. These business initiatives will be available next month. #Trust4Americas #NCBICONLab About the Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). It was established in 1997 to promote public and private sector participation in social and economic development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. Our initiatives, implemented through local partner organizations, aim to improve access to economic opportunities and foster innovation in vulnerable communities across the hemisphere. To this end, the Trust also promotes social inclusion and good governance. The Trust has offices in Washington, D.C., Colombia, and Canada. More information: www.trustfortheamericas.org Facebook: The Trust for the Americas Twitter: @Trust4Americas Jamaica

July 29, 2020, Washington, D.C. – The Trust for the Americas, in collaboration with the Department for Effective Public Management of the Organization of American States and the business intelligence firm Grupo Inco Corp, has created an open data platform for the Social Security Fund (CSS). The open data portal is a section created on the CSS Transparency Website, featuring modern technological tools available to the public. The portal contains information relevant to COVID-19, financial benefits, health, medications, and the CSS call center—including call volume statistics and access to information. Kathia Quiel Carreira, director of the CSS’s Technical Secretariat for Accountability and Institutional Support, reported that the institution’s website includes the transparency sections required by ANTAI, links to the Panama Compras portal, links to open data from the Interstate Platform of the Government Innovation Authority (AIG) and the Comptroller General of the Republic.  As part of transparency efforts across the public sector, an “Accountability” section was created to display all purchases made by the entity. In addition, financial statements from 2005 through 2019 are available in formats accessible to the public for download in PDF, Excel, CSV, XML, JSON, and API. The various download formats are adapted to accommodate individuals with visual or hearing impairments. The open data portal is part of the “Public Innovation through Open Data in Panama” project by The Trust for the Americas, which aims to encourage local governments and civil society in Panama to create spaces for discussion, collaboration, and deliberation on open data public policies. Through partnerships and small grants for social innovations, the initiative seeks to strengthen national policy on transparency and access to information. This contribution represents a significant step forward in implementing open government principles in the health sector and serves as a model policy that can be replicated across the region. About The Trust for the Americas: The Trust for the Americas is a nonprofit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public-private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and has worked with more than 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities, as well as government accountability and transparency. Our unique partnership with the OAS gives us access to decision-makers throughout the region. This vital partnership is the foundation through which we build strong networks across all member states and the private sector. As our region develops, The Trust continues to help overcome challenges through strategic partnerships that promote cooperation for sustainable results. Panama