Changing the Narrative of Central American Youth Migration – Event Highlights

Often these days we focus on the case for immigration reform and the plight of migrants trying to cross the border to make a life here in the United States. This conversation continues to grow in pertinence as recent months have seen a steep increase in individuals apprehended or deemed “inadmissible” at the U.S. – Mexico border.

On May 16, Pangea Giving joined with local partners Seattle International Foundation (SIF) and Global Washington to sponsor an educational event that looked at youth migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador from a different angle.

Why do youth from these countries leave, and how might we invest in programs and organizations that provide opportunity in their homelands?

Arturo Aguilar, the new Director of SIF and a human rights defender in his own country of Guatemala, spoke of three “push factors” that cause youth migration: insecurity and violence, lack of opportunity, and corruption.

Corrina Grace, Founder and Executive Director of SERES, a Guatemala-based non-profit that cultivates young leaders in Central America to build just and sustainable communities, was joined by Lissette Vasquez Rojas, the Executive Director of the Myrna Mack Foundation, who works on issues related to human rights with vulnerable groups. They presented the argument for strengthening communities and systems that address the “push factors” that cause youth to migrate. For instance, SERES develops youth leaders on the margin by helping them build soft and hard skills as well as providing community entrepreneurship opportunities for them to take charge and engage in making change where they live.

The speakers reminded the audience of the pervasive narrative that our government constructs about why people migrate. They argued that if the drug and gun trade did not exist between the U.S. and the countries of the Northern Triangle that people would have incentive to stay and to construct their communities. The panelists encouraged the audience to consider the whole picture of immigration and to find groups who are funding local initiatives and to let them lead.

Following the panel, we watched the Luis Argueta film ABRAZOS that put faces to the human tragedy and suffering caused when migration is the only option and families are separated.

Corrina Grace ended with an Emily Dickinson quote:

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.

For more photos of the event, check out our Flickr album: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmkeBbFv