Leaders seeking to spearhead major transformations in their societies often lack the human and financial support—and in extreme cases, the expertise—required to introduce new policies and to initiate institutional reforms. Through its most recent initiative, the “Agenda for the Americas 2020”, Forum Americas aims to strengthen the ability of such leaders to effectively respond to the challenges of an increasingly competitive and interdependent global community. Furthermore, Forum Americas proposes a new conception of leadership based on the inter-regional exchange of experiences and ongoing discussion of pressing societal issues among leaders. Forum Americas supports national initiatives that are designed to foster democratic institutions, the rule of law, and economic growth and additionally promotes concrete efforts to reduce environmental degradation.

Forum Americas Annual Conference, Santiago de Chile
United Nations-ECLAC, Santiago de Chile


Guillermo Abaracon, Founder Forum Americas
Craig Kelly, U.S. Ambassador to Chile
Enrique V. Iglesias, Iberoamerican Secretary General
Nicolás Flano, Ph.D, Boston University, Former president EFE-Chile
José Luis Machinea, Secretary General ECLAC
Patricio Aylwin, Former President of Chile
Jorge Forteza, Directorate President San Andrés University
Mariano Grondona, Historian and Political Expert
A review of the state of political leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean suffices to show that without adequate institutions and committed leaders, the potential benefits of democracy, open markets, and technological advances may not materialize. In the case that they do, such benefits may be so narrowly distributed as to threaten an already fragile social stability and highly pressured democratic institutions.

As the leaders of Forum Americas mobilize individuals, their legitimacy shall be drawn from the trust that society has instilled in each of them. Today more than ever, popular confidence and government credibility should go hand in hand with the delivery of concrete results to the citizenry.


United Nations-ECLAC, Santiago de Chile