Ciudad de Guatemala, agosto de 2026
The Institute for Peace and Development (IPADES) participated in the international seminar “Free and Fair Trade in a Changing World,” organized by the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) from August 20 to 23, 2026, in Guatemala City. The event brought together young leaders, representatives of democratic political organizations, and international experts to discuss the challenges facing open economies and liberal democracies in a rapidly changing global environment.
The seminar welcomed participants from Uruguay, Peru, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Canada, the Dominican Republic, and Mexico, creating a platform for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and regional cooperation among leaders committed to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law. The event also featured the special participation of Adolfo Sun, First Secretary of the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
For IPADES, gatherings of this nature extend beyond technical discussions on trade policy. They provide valuable opportunities to strengthen cooperation among organizations and leaders working to advance democratic governance, economic opportunity, and regional collaboration throughout the Americas.
The program included expert panels, working sessions, regional exchanges, and field visits focused on topics such as free and fair trade, geopolitics, sustainability, regional integration, and public policy development. Participants explored how shifts in the global economy are affecting opportunities for growth, competitiveness, and cooperation across Latin America.
Discussions also highlighted the importance of strong institutions, legal certainty, innovation, and citizen participation as essential components of long-term prosperity. Throughout the seminar, participants emphasized the need for greater regional collaboration to address shared economic and democratic challenges.
IPADES’ participation provided an opportunity to exchange experiences with youth organizations, think tanks, and emerging leaders from across the region while exploring future partnerships on issues related to democracy, governance, development, and leadership training.
Beyond its academic dimension, the seminar served as an important forum for civic and political engagement. Building trust and cooperation among young leaders strengthens the capacity to launch joint initiatives, share best practices, and develop coordinated responses to the democratic and economic challenges facing the hemisphere.
As a result of this experience, IPADES continues to expand its international network of cooperation and reaffirms its commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, citizen participation, and the development of new generations of leaders dedicated to building freer, more open, and more prosperous societies.
