DECEMBER NEWSLETTER
Child Protection Unit
On November 24 and 25, the CPU’s U.S. Department of Labor-funded project, Palma Futuro , visited Harvard University to present a case study during the " 26th Private and Public Science, Academic, and Consumer Food Policy Group (PAPSAC)" organized by the Kennedy School of Government. Palma Futuro Project Director Eduardo Bejerano was joined by Palmas del Cesar General Manager Fabio González; President of JE Austin Associates Kevin Murphy; and one of the co-authors of the study, Dr. Ken Hoadley.




Economic Development and Health Unit
During December, the EDH Unit stayed busy organizing the Farmer-to-Farmer (F2F) Latin America and Caribbean Regional Workshop in Jamaica from January 6-10, 2020. Representatives from 13 countries will share experiences and best practices in working with U.S. volunteers and smallholder farmers. EDH also facilitated a F2F Community of Practice workshop in Washington, D.C. to share best practices and lessons learned with other organizations that facilitate north-south agricultural volunteer exchanges. This month, EDH sent 10 F2F volunteers on assignments, including sending Partners’ first-ever volunteer to Myanmar.
Membership Unit
The Membership Unit announced in December a special round of the Education & Culture Travel Grants for travel eligibility in April, May, and June of 2020. The deadline for applications is January 15, 2020. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to share your expertise and collaborate with the Partners chapter and membership network.





Education and Global Citizenship Unit
In December, the U.S. Exchange Alumni program and the U.S. Department of State announced the 25 winners of the inaugural Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund for U.S. Alumni (CDAF). The program awards U.S. citizen alumni of government-sponsored exchange programs small grants of up to $10,000 to carry out domestic and international public service projects that utilize the skills, knowledge, and networks gained through their exchange experiences.
The  Arkansas-Eastern Bolivia Chapter shares one of its most successful practices: facilitating the Youth Ambassadors Program. For its rich cultural exchanges and successes, the YA program is a rewarding initiative that achieves Partners' goals to connect, serve, and change lives.
Achieving Dreams with A Ganar
In 2010, Antonio de Jesús Reyes Meza (Toño) lived in one of the poorest and most dangerous zones in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. With minimal resources to rely on, he never thought he would attend college or achieve his dreams. Then he found  A Ganar , Partners’ program that helps youth in some of the toughest communities in Latin America and the Caribbean find employment or return to school through the power of sport.
2019 Year in Review
Partners has accomplished a lot in 2019, thanks to all of our supporters and members. We have compiled our top 2019 highlights from each of the four units: the Education and Global Citizenship Unit, the Economic Development and Health Unit, the Child Protection Unit, and the Membership Unit. We are excited for all of the life-changing partnerships to come in 2020.



On the Rooftop of Central America: Two Weeks in Guatemala as a Farmer-to-Farmer Volunteer with Partners of the Americas.
Senior Economist and Policy Analyst at the Illinois Farm Bureau, Michael Doherty, shared his experience helping farmers in Guatemala as a volunteer with Partners' F2F program. Using his expertise in business and marketing strategies, he collaborated with small-scale potato producers to launch an innovative new marketing cooperative. 


MOSTRA X Brazilian Film Festival Fosters Conversations and Partnerships in Brazil
From December 5-11, the MOSTRA X Brazilian Film Festival was held for its third consecutive year in Indaiatuba, Brazil. Every year, Partners’  Illinois-São Paulo Chapter organizes the event with support from Brazil’s Municipal Secretariat of Culture. MOSTRA, meaning “exhibit” in Portuguese, serves as a catalyst for partnerships between the U.S. and Brazil. The Festival was designed to celebrate and advance Brazilian cinema through free public screenings of independent Brazilian films. 
President of the Partners Trinidad and Tobago Chapter, Wayne Chance, Passes Away
Wayne Chance, president of the Trinidad and Tobago Chapter and former member of the International Board of Directors, passed away in November 2019. An outstanding leader and volunteer, he campaigned passionately for causes including criminal justice reform. Chance created the organization Vision on Mission to reintegrate and resettle hundreds of former prisoners into society. We send love and peace to Chance's family and friends.
Open Job Opportunities
Partners of the Americas is hiring! We are currently seeking an EDH Senior Program Officer, Accountant I (Field Office Operations), and an Accountant I (AP/AR) to join our growing team. Positions will remain open until filled.





Open Internship Opportunities
Partners of the Americas is looking for interns! We are currently seeking a Technology Strategy Intern, Child Protection Unit Intern, Education & Global Citizenship Unit Intern, Youth Engagement Intern, Program Development Intern, Finance and Accounting Intern, and a Business Management Intern to join our team.

22.33 Audio Podcast
The 22.33 podcast shares unforgettable travel stories of people whose lives were changed by international exchange. The podcast is produced by the Collaboratory of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Partners' Senior Membership Officer Susie Meyer will be featured on an upcoming podcast about her Fulbright exchange.