As the Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) commemorates our 60th anniversary with events around the globe, we celebrated in Washington, D.C., with more than 150 attendees and partners, including the Organization of American States (OAS), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Boeing Company, and more.
Partnership has been a core element of how we have worked since we were founded in 1962 by the member states of the OAS. We were joined — over the past 60 years and this week — by partners from all sectors: the diplomatic community, international development organizations, civil society, think tanks, academia, governments, and the private sector.
The current challenges of the hemisphere have made PADF’s efforts to protect human rights and democratic spaces — and our partnerships — more critical than ever.
Keep reading for a behind-the-scenes look at the event!
Katie Taylor, our Executive Director, kicked off the remarks highlighting the importance of partnerships and collaboration with public and private sectors to offer sustainable solutions that improve the quality of life of all people in Latin America and the Caribbean.
If there is one thing I have learned in my life it’s that, alone, we can accomplish a little but, together, we can change the world.”
We were honored to have Luis Almagro and Nestor Mendez, Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, give keynote addresses. As OAS was a key to our founding, they’ve also been key to our success and longevity of our incredible programs. Multilateral organizations play a crucial role in international development, and many of the challenges we face are cross-border.
We’re part of a larger ecosystem that serves the people of the Americas. This partnership is of utmost importance, and it is my hope that PADF will continue to work with us for the benefit of our people. Together, we can create a peaceful and prosperous hemisphere.”
Nestor Mendez
PADF has been privileged to work with governments and specialized, technical agencies who are thought leaders and action partners. A leading such agency is USAID. Marcela Escobari, Assistant Administrator of the Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean, shared some of our joint projects that have promoted progress for the people of the Americas.
The loudest applause of the evening came when Katie introduced Alexandra Aguirre, the President of our Board of Trustees, by highlighting that PADF is diverse and women-led. We also heard from Rachel Peterson, Senior Manager of Boeing Global Engagement, who shared what PADF and Boeing Company have achieved together over the last eight years.
With the support of our private sector partners, we can scale up our impact and pursue innovative ideas for the most vulnerable populations. Together, we promote sustainable livelihoods through investments in education, employability, entrepreneurship, and the environment.
PADF is able to reach millions of people across Latin America and the Caribbean and make our region stronger – more healthy, peaceful, just, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable for current and future generations – because of these partners and because of supporters like you.
Published on November 16, 2022.
Katie Taylor
Executive Director
Email: connect@padf.org
