“Corruption & Impunity: A Crisis of Democracy in Guatemala” - a panel discussion

We envision this as the first of a series of panel events, where the subsequent events would cover immigration of Guatemalans to the US – the reasons behind it and the implications of it in both countries – on the economy, the political climate, the labor movement and more.

Acción Ciudadana is the Guatemalan Chapter of Transparency International, dedicating its efforts to preventing and fighting corruption in the country. The nonprofit organization was born in 1996 in a complex period, the recently signed peace agreements faced a scenario of many resistances and adversities, among the most important, a political class with little interest in the peace agenda and in making public affairs transparent. In this context, it was established to promote a conscious and committed citizenry with the construction of democracy in Guatemala, as well as to promote transparency in public management. Acción Ciudadana was part of the anti-corruption efforts launched by Transparency International, in 2008 the Anti-Corruption Legal Assistance Center (ALAC) was created; through which free legal assistance is offered to victims or witnesses of corruption cases in the public administration. Accion Ciudadana is part of other international and regional networks such as the Regional Alliance for Freedom of Expression and Information, Electoral Observation and Integrity Network, Citizen Forum of the Americas, Latin American Network for Legislative Transparency, Center Against Corruption and Impunity in northern Central America.

https://accionciudadanagt.org/ 

https://geoportalaccionciudadana.com/

Global Visionaries is a Seattle based Nonprofit organization, whose goal is to introduce opportunities for youth to embrace their leadership skills and explore social justice issues, throughout history and today, both locally and globally. Students from Seattle, WA, and San Miguel Escobar, Guatemala come together to discuss social justice issues and work on service projects in the central region of Guatemala. Many of these young students continue their exploration and work in social justice, political issues, and other forms of activism beyond their time in Global Visionaries, in their communities and careers. It is in fact, through our GV alumni that we have made this partnership. 

https://globalvisionaries.org/ 

We believe that there are great opportunities for both organizations to collaborate towards increased awareness about the current state of Guatemalan democracy and to further build community support for anti-corruption activists and CSOs in Guatemala. This panel event will feature speakers from Guatemala and Seattle who have seen the impacts of this crisis of democracy in Guatemala and will share what is being done about it, the impacts seen in our own communities and hopes for the future.

Panelists:

• Alejandra Gonza, Executive Director of Global Rights Advocacy
• Manfredo Marroquín, Executive Director of Acción Ciudadana
• Mirte Postema, Senior Program Officer of Seattle International Foundation
• Joaquin Uy, External Affairs Manager & Policy Advisor, Office of Immigrant & Refugee Affairs, City of Seattle

For more info on these panelists, click the Panelist Bios tab above.