The Fifth Citizen Convention positioned the Central American economic integration within the Ibero-American public debate

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Mar 11, 2020, 15:00 ET

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala, March 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Throughout March 2^nd and 4^th, Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo held the Fifth Citizen Convention: "Central America, shared threats and opportunities; a common destiny." It addressed the shared concerns and issues of the Central American region. The event hosted more than 30 global leaders, including former iberoamerican presidents, intellectuals, civic leaders and experts on hemispheric security.

The Convention began with a series of private meetings on Monday, March 2nd, with the participation of various Washington-based experts on hemispheric security. On Tuesday, March 3rd, more than 200 leaders from the region's political, academic, business and mass media spheres gathered for a workshop that included three discussion panels, all of them which proposed the creation of the Central American Economic Community (CAEC) as the only way to achieve economic and social development in the region. The day ended with a 400-guest dinner in honor of Central America at which Dionisio Gutiérrez, Kevin McAleenan and the President Alejandro Giammattei presented their remarks; the speeches were followed by a one on one conversation between Moisés Naím and Luis Alberto Moreno, President of the IDB.

On March 4th, more than 4,000 people attended the Fifth Citizen Convention where Dr. Gutiérrez, president of Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo, gave his opening remarks: "If Central America builds an economic union, it has the potential to be one of the revelations of the 21st century (...) We are a region of good, hard-working people in a virtuous geographical location that presents unique opportunities that we must take."

He also stated that "Econometric studies and experts agree that the speed and quality of Central America's development depends on its economic integration (...) for this it is desirable and smart to move towards an era of sustainable capitalism and the rescue of values in politics."

The Fifth Citizen Convention concluded with the presentation of the "Joint Declaration on the Central American Economic Community," which originated from the citizenry and seeks the involvement and commitment of the region's presidents and decision-makers to consolidate regional economic integration as the possible option for the future of Central Americans.

Dr. Gutiérrez asserted that CAEC can be "the symbol of our collective conscience."

SOURCE Fundación Libertad y Desarrollo