Globally, democratic values are under assault. That is also true in parts of Central America, where public officials and criminal organizations are silencing public debate. In response, during this year’s Summit of the Americas in Los Angeles, USAID Administrator Samantha Power launched the interagency “Voices” initiative, designed to protect, defend and promote civic space in the region and support the U.S. Strategy for Addressing the Root Causes of Migration in Central America. 

The “Voices” initiative includes three pillars: Promoting Digital Democracy & Countering Digital Authoritarianism; Promoting Freedom of Expression & Strengthening Independent Media; and Countering Criminalization & Providing Protection. It is predominantly focused on addressing the contraction of civic space in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua and bringing like-minded partners together to foster a vibrant and resilient civil society across the region. 

What are the best strategies for the State Department and USAID to support civil society in Central America? How could these efforts improve governance, accountability and the investment climate and address underlying factors of the regional migration crisis? Are there limits to the capacity of civil society actors to address structural challenges?  How can the State Department and USAID most effectively engage government counterparts, private entities, and others in Central America and globally to address the key challenges highlighted under the Voices initiative? 

Please join the Wilson Center’s Latin American Program, the U.S. Department of State and the United States Agency for International Development on Monday, December 5, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (ET), for a dialogue with senior U.S. government officials and civil society leaders from Central America on the “Voices” initiative and U.S. policy in Central America.