The Learning for Well-being Foundation participated in the XXIII Pan American Congress of Children and Adolescents, held from October 21-24, 2024, in San Salvador, El Salvador. Organized by the Inter-American Institute for Children and Adolescents (IIN-OAS) under the Organization of American States (OAS), this Congress brought together government leaders, civil society, and young people across the Americas to address urgent issues impacting children and adolescents.
This year’s Congress focused on three critical themes: mental health, early childhood development, and human mobility. Identified by youth participants as top concerns, these themes will guide regional policy recommendations over the next five years, supporting efforts to build resilient, inclusive communities across the Americas.
Representing the Learning for Well-being Foundation and Child Rights Connect, Maria Belen Paz Aguilar emphasized the importance of intergenerational collaboration. Child Rights Connect, a dedicated partner of IIN-OAS, works to empower children and adolescents across the Americas, opening the doors for the foundation to collaborate with IIN-OAS and the OAS to advance children’s rights and well-being.
Youth participation and intergenerational collaboration
A unique and inspiring aspect of the Congress was its emphasis on intergenerational collaboration. Young participants held a parallel forum to share their perspectives on policy issues affecting their lives, contributing recommendations that shaped the Congress’s resolutions through deeply personal “corazón a corazón” (heart-to-heart) exchanges. Among the priorities, mental health emerged as an urgent focus for youth, underscoring their call for policies that provide meaningful support. The Congress’s inclusion of youth-led priorities reflects a strong commitment to integrating young voices into decision-making processes.
Building partnerships for child well-being
The Congress also allowed us to strengthen partnerships with organizations dedicated to similar goals, such as Save the Children, Plan International, and the World Movement for Children. These partnerships reflect a shared dream: a world where young people’s well-being is central to decision-making, and intergenerational cooperation drives sustainable change.
Looking ahead, the Learning for Well-being Foundation, through its Act2gether office in Bolivia, will actively support and monitor the implementation of these regional recommendations, continuing to advocate for policies that uplift young voices and foster stronger communities across the Americas.
