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The Trust for the Americas. THE TRUST FOR THE AMERICAS Nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization established in 1997. Affiliated with the OAS by virtue of a cooperative agreement signed in 1998.
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THE TRUST FOR THE AMERICAS Nonprofit 501(c) (3) organization established in 1997. Affiliated with the OAS by virtue of a cooperative agreement signed in 1998. • Headquartered at the OAS in Washington, D.C. the Trust also has a legal presence in Colombia, making all donations to the Trust in that countrie tax deductible • The Trust’s Board of Directors is comprised of senior officials from the OAS and leading executives from prominent companies throughout the hemisphere such as Microsoft, Chevron, GrupoArdilaLulle, Ense Group, Portland Holdings, Manatt LLP, and Copa Airlines
Original Mission and Program Focus The focus of Trust programs as defined in the 2009-2012 Impact Plan is capacity building for individuals and civil society organizations. The Trust follows a bottom up approach. All our programs are implemented through local partner organizations with support from over 200 public and private sector partners in more than 21 countries. Alignment with OAS policy priorities is ensured by compliance with OAS PEC rules
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS, POETA POETA (Partnership in Opportunities for Employment through Technology in the Americas): • Provides Training and Employment opportunities to an average of 75,000 people with disabilities and their families a year. • Builds the capacity of local disability organizations to better serve their beneficiaries • Through a partnership with more than 200 businesses and universities POETA modules are designed to respond to employment needs resulting in placement rates of up to 60% • Strategic Alliance between OAS, Microsoft and the IDB is one of the most important and tangible action towards the implementation of OAS Disabilities Convention
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS POETA YOUTH Following the POETA model, the Trust works with at risk youth in the Eastern Caribbean and Central America. The Program has provided opportunities for 20,000 youth and their families resulting in a reduction of criminal and drop out rates in the communities where centers operate. Mi LLave This program uses the power of technology to promote social inclusion and reconciliation between former paramilitary combatants, their families and receiving communities in Colombia. It has facilitated an increased acceptance of the demobilized by private sector. It has also provided an incentive for participants not to rejoin paramilitary groups. 30,000 people have been impacted by the initiative.
HONDURAS 1 Center MÉXICO 17 Center GUATEMALA7 Centers EL SALVADOR 6 Centers PANAMA 2 Centers ECUADOR3 Centers PERU3 Centros ARGENTINA 2 Centros POETA IN THE AMERICAS HONDURAS 1 Center PUERTO RICO AND THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: 3 CENTERS MÉXICO 17 Center EASTERN CARIBBEAN: 8 Centers ANTIGUA Y BARBUDA (2) DOMINICA (1) SAN KITTS Y NAVIS (1) SANTA LUCIIA (1) SAN VINCENTE Y LAS GRENADINAS (2) GUATEMALA7 Centers EL SALVADOR 6 Centers BRAZIL: 2 Centers COSTA RICA3 Centers VENEZUELA: 7 Centers PANAMA 2 Centers COLOMBIA 20 Centers: 9 POETA 11 (Mi Llave) ECUADOR3 Centers PERU3 Centers ARGENTINA 2 Centers
OTHER SIGNATURE PROGRAMS • Promotion of Labor Rights for Migrant Workers in Central America • Capacity Building for Peace and Reconciliation in Colombia • Freedom of Expression and Access to Information • Building a peace culture among Central America’s youth through social dialogue, art and media”, publickly known as “Armando Paz
Trust as Source of supplemental funding for OAS • Raises funds for Joint programs such as: - Training program for at risk youth (with SMS) • Serves as channel for tax deductible contributions to OAS programs. For example: • $225k Contribution to OAS Centennial from Trust Board Members • $60 k Contribution to International Legal Department for Model Access to Information Law • $500 k media coverage • Contributes to OAS ICR • $500k in past 4 years
Private sector participation in Trust/OAS initiatives • Board cash/in-kind contributions to Trust intended to match OAS in kind contribution. E.g. $225k Contribution to OAS Centennial • Signature OAS/Private Sector programs: POETA $5 million from Microsoft in cash and $4 million in software over the past 5 years • Trust training and employment modules designed jointly with the private sector to respond to job placement needs (Corporate Social Responsibility, Labor Rights, economic development) • Partnership with businesses for the introduction of labor compliance standards for companies in CAFTA DR countries.
Link to POETA Youth video: • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u84gQAs6Tmo