Guatemala 2014 Blog: Interview with Fundesa's Juan Carlos Zapata
The Central American country's private sector should have a role in social inclusion efforts, Zapata says.
AS/COA Online's Luisa Leme spoke to Fundesa's Executive Director Juan Carlos Zapata about the role the private sector can play in social inclusion in Guatemala. Read an excerpt:
In 2009, Fundesa—a non-profit focused on development—created Mejoremos Guate, a project which aims to reduce the poverty rate from 50 percent to 35 percent. The end goal is for 2021, when the country celebrates 200 years of independence. Partnering with Harvard University to analyze the main constraints on economic growth, the organization found that social inclusion is crucial to improve the economy. For Zapata, tackling social issues allows the private sector to "focus on increasing investment and generating more opportunities in Guatemala.” He added: “We have to increase education, reduce insecurity, and strengthen institutions towards transparency.”
Read the rest of the interview and listen to sound bites on AS/COA Online’s LatAm Minute.