Workshop: Guatemala-Diaspora Partnership for Development

8:30-9:00

Introduction, Overview, and Goals
Facilitators introduce the workshop and pose the questions: What is Diaspora? How can Guatemalans in Guatemala and abroad work together for development?
FACILITATORS:

• Rebecca Bardach, Director of the Center for International Migration and Integration (CIMI)
• Aileen Josephs, Attorney and Honorary Consul of Guatemala in Palm Beach County

9:00-10:15

Participant Introduction and Presentation of Projects
All participants introduce themselves very briefly. Several participants give brief presentations on their current projects and the Guatemala-Diaspora partnership component.

10:15-11:15

How Diasporas are Organizing to Help Themselves and their Home Communities
Panel
Presenters share how the following models of Diaspora-led projects can contribute to development in countries of origin:

• El Sol Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center: A labor center that offers educational programs, including: Plazas Comunitarias and Financial Literacy Program; Speaker: Jill Hansen, President of El Sol Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center
• Habitat for Humanity Housing Project Model: a model in which Guatemalans in the Diaspora contribute their work to go towards construction of houses for their families in Guatemala; Speakers: Luis Samayoa National Director of Habitat Guatemala and Dora Valdivia, Associate Director of El Sol Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center and Consultant in Social Business
• USAID Alianzas: Health and Education Projects and Two for One Program; Speaker: Tere Ligorría,   USAID/Alianzas Chief of Party

11:15-11:30

BREAK

11:30-1:00

Needs and Capacity Building in:

• Microfinance, Loans, Small Businesses, and Remittances
• Development through Agriculture and Export Programs

Presentations and Discussion in Groups
Presenters briefly present to whole group the main components of their projects in the two sectors, including goals and challenges. Group then splits into two working groups to discuss more in depth.
Presenters:

• Mynor Corzo, General Manager of Fondesol
• Dora Valdivia, Associate Director of El Sol Jupiter Neighborhood Resource Center and Consultant in Social Business
• Kristina Saltzman and Maria Telma Juarez Mendez, Representatives of a Transnational Project with a Women's Cooperative, Native Sun/Cadisogua
• Roberto Monjaras, Roberto Tomás, Tranquilino González, Blanca Mendoza, Representatives of Iq Balam, Florida
• Felix Perez Mendoza, Consultant of Conamigua in California and President of Maya Mam Organization in California

1:00-2:00

LUNCH

2:00-3:00

Working Groups
Participants break into small working groups to discuss possibilities and to plan potential projects.

3:00-4:30

Networking and Organizational Development
Workshop
Professional facilitates working groups of 5-10 people about the importance of and steps to networking and organizational development.
FACILITATOR:

• Ruby Ortiz, Director of the Florida Institute of Management and Professor at Florida International University

4:30-5:30

Marketplace of NGOs
Organizations and project representatives in attendance set up small stations around the room to share information with participants in an open forum. It is recommended that organizations that are going to participate bring written information and brochures, and for those who have development projects, information about the location, type, and contact for the project.

5:30-6:00

Conclusion and Discussion

6:30-8:30

DINNER AND CULTURAL EVENING

8:30-10:00

Popular Education
Workshop and Presentation
Facilitator discusses concept and practice of popular education, leads several popular education activities, and draws lessons from these activities for participants to use in the future.
FACILITATOR:

• Reca Fernandez, Popular Education Consultant

10:00-11:00

Leadership and Teamwork
Workshop
Professional facilitates workshop on teambuilding and development of leadership skills.
FACILITATOR:

• Ruby Ortiz, Director of the Florida Institute of Management and Professor at Florida International University

11:00-1:00

Working Groups and Presentations
Participants break into small working groups from previous day to continue their discussion. Each group then presents their ideas to the larger group.  

1:00-1:30

LUNCH

1:30-3:00
Parallel
Sessions; Participants
Choose

Return and Reintegration
Professionals discuss how to address issues related to deportation, including employment opportunities, education certification, and family reunification for deportees.
Presenters:

• Cecilio Hernandez Batres, Representative of Grupo Golan, SERSIC Program
• Guillermo Marizuya, Leader of Initiative for Deportees – Centro de Formación y Atención a Migrantes

Using Computers, Internet, and Videoconferencing
Professionals present on how to use technology for diaspora-Guatemala communication and project management, and address the challenge of computer access.
Facilitator:

• Jose Gonzalez, Graduate of Business Administration Studies and certificate holder in International Business from Florida Atlantic University

3:00-4:00

Government Involvement in Diaspora and Development Affairs
Presentation
Presentation and discussion on how government is and could be involved in diaspora and development affairs.
Presenter:

• Amanda Cordero, Director of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Office of General and Migratory and Consular Matters

4:00-5:00

Evaluation and Next Steps
Discussion
Group evaluates workshop in discussion, and participants complete written evaluation. Discussion about the future of Guatemala-Diaspora partnership and how to transfer more of the coordinating role for the workshops into the Guatemalan diaspora's communities' hands.

5:00-6:30

DINNER