Guatemala

Introduction | Background | News & Photos

Despite several obstacles, Play for Peace has grown its regional support and continues to develop local community leadership.

What’s New

Play for Peace – Guatemala struggled its first five years to find a Hub Organization that could sustain and grow the Play for Peace initiative. The lack of human and financial resources faced by the majority of non-governmental organizations in Guatemala was an obstacle. Nonetheless, this Play for Peace Regional Community did many activities and trained youth as effective facilitators with the financial support of the Play for Peace – Global.

In March 2005, a Hub Organization was found for Play for Peace – Guatemala in the Canadian Centre for International Studies and Cooperation (CECI). CECI has begun implementing Play for Peace in chosen youth organizations where their staff is already employed to develop youth leadership and citizenship. Partner organizations fund their own play days and CECI supports them in the process of implementing Play for Peace. In late June 2005, Play for Peace – Global staff and volunteers visited the Guatemala region to support the development of the Regional Community with training and planning sessions. This visit coincided with national recognition of the success of Play for Peace by the president of Guatemala, who cited Play for Peace as a critical component of the nation’s strategy for reducing youth violence.