Latin America Policy Association – LAPA

? February Highlight: An Unforgettable LAPA DC Trek! ? Over three incredible days, we had the privilege of connecting with leaders at the World Bank, IFC, IMF, Tony Blair Institute, McKinsey & Company, Dalberg, IMAGO, The Dialogue, IDB, and IDB Invest. Engaging in deep discussions on economic development, public finance, blended finance, and impact-driven consulting, we explored innovative strategies for fostering sustainable growth in Latin America and the Caribbean. From unpacking governance challenges and institutional resilience at the World Bank to exploring blended finance strategies at IDB Invest, each conversation pushed us to think critically about the future of international development. A definite highlight was the problem-solving exercise on recruitment, which challenged us to approach investment decision-making strategically. A heartfelt thank you to the inspiring leaders who generously shared their insights and experiences. Your passion and dedication motivate us to continue seeking innovative, high-impact solutions for the region. Special thanks to the amazing team that organized this incredible experience! Mallory Escobar González Isabel Jurado Javier Pe?afiel Durruty This trek was more than just a networking opportunity, it was a moment of learning, reflection, and rediscovering our purpose in the field of development. ?? #LAPADCTrek #InternationalDevelopment #LatinAmerica #PublicFinance #BlendedFinance #SustainableGrowth #HarvardKennedySchool

????Social Mobility in Latin American Cities: From the Periphery to the Center At #LAC2025, we had the privilege of hosting a powerful discussion on social mobility in Latin American cities, moderated by Daniela Monsalve and featuring expert insights from Lorena Moreno and Javier Soria. ?? Key Discussion Points: ?? Breaking Barriers: Limited access to education, formal employment, and transport continues to reinforce inequality across generations. ?? The Penalty of Race & Gender: Marginalized communities, particularly Afro-Latino and Indigenous populations, face compounded barriers due to systemic discrimination in urban spaces. ?? Education as a Pathway: Successful technical education programs in Colombia and Ecuador were highlighted as key strategies to enhance skills, improve employability, and bridge opportunity gaps. ?? Segregation & the Urban Penalty: Physical proximity to economic centers does not translate into real access to jobs, quality education, and services, leading to cycles of exclusion. ?? Community-Driven Change: Initiatives like Alimenta La Solidaridad and Caracas Mi Convive in Venezuela demonstrate that grassroots action can drive meaningful social mobility, tackling barriers in education, security, and economic participation. ?? Policy & Innovation: The discussion explored solutions like targeted urban investments, improved public transport, and policies to support affordable housing and skills training for vulnerable communities. A Call to Action: Our panelists emphasized that Latin America’s cities must become engines of opportunity, not inequality. Tackling structural barriers related to race, gender, and geography is essential to ensuring true mobility and inclusion. A huge thank you to our panelists and everyone who joined the conversation! Let’s keep working to reimagine and reshape the future of Latin American cities. #LAC2025 #SocialMobility #Cities #UrbanDevelopment #InclusiveCities #Education #PublicPolicy #LatAm

? Closing Remarks – LAC Conference 2025 ???? As #LAC2025 comes to a close, we reflect on the incredible discussions, insights, and connections made over these past few days. This conference has been a tremendous space for learning and growth, bringing together changemakers committed to shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Latin America. We were honored to welcome Jamil Mahuad as our special guest, who delivered an inspiring speech on resilience, leadership, and the vital role of civil service in guiding the future of our cities. In his closing remarks, he left us with a powerful message: ??? “You only learn by doing. I’m proud to say I stepped out of my comfort zone so many times over these past few months that I’ve found a new place where I feel comfortable.” This sentiment embodies what LAC 2025 is all about challenging ourselves, stepping up, and taking action for the future of our region. A heartfelt thank you to our incredible speakers, panelists, and attendees who made this conference a success. Let’s take the energy, ideas, and commitments from these discussions and continue working towards a stronger Latin America. See you at #LAC2026! ???? #LAC2025 #Leadership #Resilience #UrbanDevelopment #PublicService #LatinAmerica #AdaptiveLeadership

????Social Mobility in Latin American Cities: From the Periphery to the Center At #LAC2025, we had the privilege of hosting a powerful discussion on social mobility in Latin American cities, moderated by Daniela Monsalve and featuring expert insights from Lorena Moreno and Javier Soria. ?? Key Discussion Points: ?? Breaking Barriers: Limited access to education, formal employment, and transport continues to reinforce inequality across generations. ?? The Penalty of Race & Gender: Marginalized communities, particularly Afro-Latino and Indigenous populations, face compounded barriers due to systemic discrimination in urban spaces. ?? Education as a Pathway: Successful technical education programs in Colombia and Ecuador were highlighted as key strategies to enhance skills, improve employability, and bridge opportunity gaps. ?? Segregation & the Urban Penalty: Physical proximity to economic centers does not translate into real access to jobs, quality education, and services, leading to cycles of exclusion. ?? Community-Driven Change: Initiatives like Alimenta La Solidaridad and Caracas Mi Convive in Venezuela demonstrate that grassroots action can drive meaningful social mobility, tackling barriers in education, security, and economic participation. ?? Policy & Innovation: The discussion explored solutions like targeted urban investments, improved public transport, and policies to support affordable housing and skills training for vulnerable communities. A Call to Action: Our panelists emphasized that Latin America’s cities must become engines of opportunity, not inequality. Tackling structural barriers related to race, gender, and geography is essential to ensuring true mobility and inclusion. A huge thank you to our panelists and everyone who joined the conversation! Let’s keep working to reimagine and reshape the future of Latin American cities. #LAC2025 #SocialMobility #Cities #UrbanDevelopment #InclusiveCities #Education #PublicPolicy #LatAm

??? Rethinking Cities: Governance, Mobility, Sustainability & Housing in Latin America At the #LACConference, we had the opportunity to dive deep into urban challenges in Latin America, with a panel moderated by Mallory Escobar González and co-designed by Pablo Zaburlin. ?? Key Insights: ?? Diane Davis emphasized governance challenges, water access, and climate resilience, critical issues for sustainable urban development. ?? Chris Zegras highlighted the role of digital transformation in creating more inclusive transportation systems. ?? María Mercedes Jaramillo shared Bogotá’s innovative feminist and ecological urban planning approach. Affordable Housing & Policy Integration The conversation also tackled affordable housing solutions, from developer incentives to long-term subsidies, underlining the importance of sustainability in urban expansion. ?? A Global Perspective During the Q&A, panelists exchanged global experiences, reinforcing the need for integrated policies to build more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready cities. ?? A huge thank you to our panelists for sharing their expertise and pushing the conversation forward. The future of Latin America’s cities depends on bold, collaborative, and innovative urban policies. #UrbanDevelopment #SustainableCities #InclusiveMobility #LAC2025 #PublicPolicy #LACConference25

?? Leading Change: Urban Governance in Bogotá and Palmira ?? At the #LACConference, we hosted Claudia López, former mayor of Bogotá, and óscar Escobar, former mayor of Palmira, in an insightful discussion moderated by Katherine Gutierrez Abanto and Isabel Jurado. The panel, "Leading Change: Urban Governance in Bogotá and Palmira," explored the realities of local leadership in Latin America, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities in driving reforms in security, gender equality, and transport. ?? Key Takeaways: ?? Despite political roadblocks and national pressures, there is always room for innovation and meaningful change. ?? Local governance directly impacts people’s lives, making it a crucial space for transformation. A Call to Action: Claudia and óscar urged young professionals to step into leadership roles at the municipal level, where bold and committed leaders are urgently needed. ?? If we want to build safer, more inclusive, and efficient cities, we must take action now. The future of Latin America’s cities depends on those willing to step up and lead change from the ground up. A huge thank you to our incredible panelists for sharing their experiences and inspiring us to drive impact where it matters most. #UrbanLeadership #LatinAmerica #PublicService #LAC2025 #FutureOfCities

??? How can local strategies drive sustainable and inclusive development in Latin America? At the Latin America Conference at HKS, the panel "Thinking Globally, Acting Locally: Pioneers of Development" explored the power of local development policies in fostering long-term prosperity, bringing together insights from public and private sector leaders as well as experts from multilateral organizations. Moderator Paula Marie Mella Bonilla, one of the LAPA co-chairs and second-year MPAID student at HKS led an engaging discussion with Alejandra Y. Castillo, Fall 2024 Institute of Politics Fellow and former US Assistant Secretary of Commerce, William Maloney, Chief Economist for LAC region at the World Bank, and Francesca Rainieri, CFO at Grupo Puntacana. ?? Key Takeaways: ?? Addressing spatial inequalities: Policies must consider local contexts to create effective, inclusive solutions. ?? Investing in people & institutions: Human capital development and strong governance structures are essential. ?? Public-private collaboration: Effective development requires well-articulated partnerships between government and businesses. ?? The panel also tackled pressing questions: ? Should we shift from national development strategies to more localized, place-based approaches? ? What are the biggest challenges in implementing local development policies, and how can we overcome them? ? How can the Latin American diaspora further contribute to local development and innovation? ? What lessons can be learned from Grupo Punta Cana’s unique investment model and its role in transforming the Dominican Republic’s eastern region? As Latin American cities seek innovative solutions for sustainable growth, these conversations shed light on the policies and partnerships needed to drive impact. ?? What do you think is the key to successful local development in Latin America? Share your thoughts below! ?? #LAC2025 #LocalDevelopment #LatinAmerica #Innovation #PublicPolicy #SustainableGrowth #HKSLatinAmerica

??? How can cities in Latin America become safer for everyone? At the Latin American Conference at HKS, the "Safe Cities: Confronting Crime" panel explored the urgent challenges of urban security in the region. Moderators Andrea Salazar Díaz Alexa González Holden led an insightful discussion with academics Ana Tribin , Ph.D. and Kenzo Asahi, who highlighted key takeaways on crime, governance, and public policy. ?? The urban-crime connection: Crime is deeply linked to urban factors (governance, infrastructure, and social conditions) ?? Safety isn’t one-size-fits-all: The panel stressed the distinct safety needs of men and women, emphasizing the importance of gender-sensitive policies. ?? Breaking cycles of violence: Education was highlighted as a key tool for long-term crime prevention, along with community-based strategies. ?? Legal barriers matter: The discussion underscored the need for legal reforms, particularly to address gender-based violence and improve crime-related outcomes. At a time when Latin American cities are searching for solutions, these conversations bring critical perspectives to the table. Thank you to our panelists and moderators for this incredible session! What do you think is the most effective way to improve urban security in Latin America? Share your thoughts below! ?? #LAC2025 #SafeCities #LatinAmerica #UrbanSecurity #Gender #PublicPolicy #HKSLatinAmerica

?? LAC Conference 2025: Harnessing the Potential of Latin American Cities Officially Launched! The second day of the conference began with the opening remarks from our Co-Chairs, Luiz Fernando Assump??o Galv?o and Daniela Monsalve, who highlighted the challenges and opportunities of Latin America’s rapid urbanization. With over 80% of the region’s population living in cities, they emphasized key issues such as mobility, urban planning, inequality, and institutional capacity, calling for collective action to build more sustainable and inclusive urban spaces. Our Co-Chairs also expressed their gratitude to the key actors who made this conference possible, including The Harvard Center for International Development , Harvard Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, Center for Public Leadership Harvard's Belfer Center Bloomberg Center for Cities at Harvard University Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business and Government at the Harvard Kennedy School Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies Harvard University- David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS) for their invaluable support, our academic advisor Ricardo Hausmann, our outstanding speakers. Also, the incredible HKS administrative team and LAC Conference team, a dedicated group of over 20 students from 8 Latin American countries worked to bring this event to life. We were honored to welcome distinguished guests to this opening session, including former President of Ecuador, Jamil Mahuad, former Mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, and Professor Juan Ariel Jimenez. Thank you for joining us! ?? ?Viva Latinoamérica! ?? Viva a América Latina! #LACConference #HKS #LatinAmerica #UrbanDevelopment #Innovation #PublicSafety #Sustainability #HarnessingThePotential

Panel: ?? Breaking Barriers: Latin American Entrepreneurs Shaping the Future of Cities ????? At the Latin American Conference at HKS, we had the privilege of hosting the panel "Breaking Barriers: Latin American Entrepreneurs Shaping the Future of Cities." Moderated by Karla Estrella Contreras, this conversation featured Juan José Pocaterra Mendoza and Santiago Moreno, two visionary tech entrepreneurs driving change in smart cities, urban analytics, and mobility across the region. Their insights went beyond technology, they highlighted the power of innovation, collaboration, and resilience in addressing urban challenges. From leveraging data for smarter mobility to building sustainable, inclusive cities, they showed how entrepreneurship is reshaping Latin America’s urban future. ?? Panel Highlights ? Tech-Driven Urban Solutions: From AI-powered urban analytics to data-driven mobility strategies, technology is a game-changer in making cities smarter and more efficient. ? Overcoming Barriers: Entrepreneurs in Latin America face regulatory challenges, funding gaps, and infrastructure constraints. Our speakers shared how adaptability and strategic partnerships help overcome these hurdles. ? The Role of Collaboration: Public-private partnerships, cross-sector alliances, and community-driven innovation are key to urban transformation. ? Equity & Inclusion: Smart cities are not just about technology; they must be designed for everyone. Ensuring digital access, inclusive infrastructure, and community engagement is essential for real impact. ? Scaling Innovation: Latin American startups are proving that homegrown solutions can be scaled beyond their borders, influencing global conversations on urban development. A huge thank you to Karla Estrella Contreras for her inspiring moderation and leadership in shaping the content of this panel. Your guidance made this conversation insightful! ?? These conversations reinforced that technology alone doesn’t transform cities; also, bold leadership, strategic partnerships, and a commitment to equity do. Thank you to our incredible speakers for inspiring us to think bigger and act faster for the cities of tomorrow! What role do you think entrepreneurship plays in shaping the future of Latin American cities? Let’s continue the conversation! ?? #Entrepreneurship #LatinAmerica #SmartCities #Sustainability #InclusiveGrowth #UrbanInnovation #UrbanDevelopment