Central America is often described as both a narrow isthmus and a vast crossroads—bridging North and South America and connecting the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. This region of approximately 60 million people includes Guatemala, Belize, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, with the Dominican Republic often participating in regional initiatives as well.
Despite its cultural unity—most countries share Spanish as a primary language—Central America has endured decades of conflict. Civil wars that raged for over 30 years shaped the political and social landscapes, leaving behind fragile democracies and significant developmental challenges. Yet, as Olinda Salguero, Regional Representative of the Global Peace Foundation (GPF) for Central America, observes, this tumultuous past fuels a shared aspiration for lasting peace, robust democracy, and economic resilience.
“We are a region of young people,” says Salguero. “More than 70% of our population is under 30, and half are women. If we can channel that energy into civic engagement, volunteerism, and sustainable development, Central America can become a region of immense opportunity.”
From Conflict to Regional Cooperation
A Legacy of War and Democratic Transitions
For much of the Cold War era, Central America was a geopolitical battleground, caught between superpowers seeking influence. Countries like Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua faced violent conflicts lasting decades. Peace accords eventually ushered in democratic reforms, laying the groundwork for improved governance, human rights, and dialogue.
The ‘Central American Dream’
Today, many leaders and civil society advocates, including Salguero, emphasize a “Central American Dream”—the idea that real prosperity and security can only be achieved through deeper regional cooperation. From combating climate change and transnational crime to fostering economic growth, most pressing challenges transcend national borders.
“Even if one country invests its entire GDP trying to solve a problem, it won’t be enough,” Salguero explains. “We share common issues—like migration, security threats, and environmental hazards—and we need collective solutions.”
Why GPF Matters in Central America
Vision of ‘One Family Under God’
GPF’s foundational principle—recognizing all people as members of one global family—resonates with Central Americans’ emphasis on community, shared traditions, and mutual aid. Local field affiliates often collaborate with established organizations like the Esquipulas Foundation and FUNDAECO, aligning on values-based peacebuilding, inclusive democracy, and sustainable development.
Key Focus Areas
- Youth Empowerment
- Encouraging civic participation among students and young professionals to shape public policies and drive community initiatives.
- Women’s Leadership & Rights
- Strengthening female-led projects and advocating for equal opportunities in politics, business, and education, especially in rural areas.
- Human Rights & Democracy
- Building on the region’s hard-won peace processes to safeguard freedoms and ensure democratic institutions remain robust.
Eco-Development and Volunteerism
Reforestando Guatemala
One of GPF Central America’s flagship projects is Reforestando Guatemala, a volunteer-led initiative that has planted over 30 million trees in the past 15 years. Harnessing the energy of more than 15,000 youth, the campaign collaborates closely with indigenous communities and local schools to protect threatened ecosystems.
“Planting trees is just the beginning,” Salguero points out. “The real goal is to nurture a sense of responsibility—young people follow up on these saplings for a year or more, learning to care for their environment.”
Sustainable Community Development
In partnership with FUNDAECO, GPF focuses on “eco-development,” connecting environmental conservation with practical livelihood solutions. Projects include:
- Women’s Clinics in remote areas, offering healthcare and support for family well-being.
- Income-generating activities (e.g., sustainable agriculture or eco-tourism) that discourage deforestation.
“You can’t ask communities to protect forests if they have no means of earning a living,” Salguero explains. “Eco-development ties economic security to environmental stewardship.”
Intergenerational Dialogue and the Latin American Presidential Mission
Bridging Past and Future
Central America’s democratization has come at a high cost, with entire generations shaped by conflict. To avoid repeating past mistakes, the Latin American Presidential Mission (LAPM) connects former heads of state from across the region with emerging leaders. They share firsthand experiences of peace processes, governance, and policy reforms that have reshaped Latin America.
“Young people often assume democracy has always existed,” says Salguero, “so they might take it for granted. Intergenerational dialogue reminds us that many people sacrificed to secure freedoms we enjoy today.”
Latin American Presidential Mission (LAPM)
Over 35 former presidents, representing diverse political ideologies, have joined LAPM. Key objectives include:
- Political Dialogue: Facilitating bipartisan cooperation and building bridges to international partners, including the United States.
- Intergenerational Mentorship: Offering direct engagement between former leaders and youth—an opportunity to learn from both successes and failures.
- Knowledge Transfer: Documenting peace processes and governance strategies to strengthen democracy across Latin America.
Fostering Education and Global Connectivity
Scholarships (BECATE Program)
Believing that education is a “game changer,” GPF Central America supports students through the BECATE program. By guiding young applicants toward scholarship opportunities abroad, GPF aims to broaden their horizons and encourage them to return as changemakers.
“We want Honduran students to know Guatemalan students, and vice versa,” Salguero adds. “You can’t love what you don’t know. Once they connect, they see themselves as part of a larger region—not just their home country.”
Why Global Unification Efforts Matter to Central America
From Salguero’s perspective, efforts like Korean reunification symbolize a global shift toward bridging historical divides. Although thousands of miles away, Latin America can learn from Asia’s example of seeking peaceful resolutions to long-standing conflicts.
“If one region can overcome deep ideological and political rifts, why can’t we?” Salguero poses. “When you solve any major conflict in the world, it resonates everywhere—reminding us that peace is possible.”
Conclusion
Central America is at a turning point. By nurturing youth leadership, championing gender equality, advancing eco-development, and tapping into intergenerational wisdom, GPF Central America envisions a future of genuine opportunity for all. This vision extends beyond national borders, emphasizing the shared challenges—and triumphs—that knit the region together.
“We call it an ‘ecosystem for social transformation’—connecting local, regional, and global partners,” says Salguero. “Our hope is that by rediscovering and living by our highest values, we can secure democracy, embrace sustainable development, and truly act as one family under God.”
To learn more about GPF Central America’s initiatives—whether reforestation campaigns, scholarships, or the Latin American Presidential Mission—visit:
Global Peace Foundation – Central America
Join us in building a brighter, more sustainable future for Central America—one rooted in the idea that we all share a common destiny and a responsibility to uplift one another.
