The Trust for the Americas was Honored at Code.org Conference

Las Vegas, November 2, 2023.- The Trust for the Americas is proud to announce that it received a prestigious recognition at this year's Code.org CSEdCon Conference, which took place in Las Vegas, Nevada. This commendation is in acknowledgment of The Trust's exceptional efforts to promote Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computer science education through its POETA (Partnership for Economic Opportunities through Technology in the Americas) skilling initiative; and for its notable collaboration with Code.org and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) in the field of education in Belize through its Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) Program.  

The CSEdCon is a prominent event that celebrates the impact of computer science education on a global scale and recognizes organizations that have made significant contributions to advancing computer science and AI education. 

The Trust for the Americas has been instrumental in promoting computer science education throughout Latin America and the Caribbean by implementing the Hour of Code campaign in partnership with POETA’s network of local partners. This recognition underscores the organization’s commitment to equipping individuals with the knowledge and expertise needed to thrive in an increasingly digital world. The POETA team was honored in the Large Awareness Campaigns category at the CSEdCon Awards for their outstanding Hour of the Code: AI for Oceans campaign, which took place this year in July. The award was accepted by Veronica Philippe and Fatima Galeazzo, representing The Trust for the Americas. 

Veronica Philippe, Project Manager of POETA DigiSpark, commented, “We are delighted to celebrate the successful partnership between The Trust and Code.org, and we greatly appreciate the Large Awareness Campaigns award presented to The Trust at the CSEdCon Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada for our outstanding participation in the Hour of Code campaign through our network of over 57 partners in the POETA Social Franchise. This recognition strengthens our commitment to promoting computer science and Artificial Intelligence in the region. Our achievements are the result of collaborative work with our local partners, who play a vital role in the dissemination and success of our initiatives. We will continue to work hand in hand with Code.org to inspire and empower future generations and their teachers and educators in the world of technology and innovation."

It is also important to highlight that the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Technology (MoECST) of Belize received an award for its initiatives in the field of teacher professional development, which falls under the Professional Development Initiatives category. The Trust is working collaboratively with the MoECST and Code.org in the implementation of Computer Science curricula and supporting teachers in over 50 schools country-wide, under the Democratizing Innovation in the Americas (DIA) program. 

About this distinction, Dian Castillo Maheia, CEO of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science, and Technology (MoECST), mentioned, "We are excited to be here not just to share what Belize has been doing, to show how we have been making strides in our way, but also to learn how we can continue to develop and grow our programs and make sure that our advancements in computer science are both sustainable and sustained. We are thankful for the support provided by The Trust for the Americas, Code.org, The Inter-American Development Bank, and the FIFA Foundation, which help us to provide additional opportunities to our teachers and students."  

Additionally, Rodrigo Iriani, Senior Program Manager at The Trust, mentioned that "With the support we are providing with Code.org in Belize we hope to inspire and motivate other governments of the region to continue supporting the advancement of the CS Education agenda, and the benefits that this can bring to students and youth development".   

The collaborative educational program between Code.org, IDB, and The Trust for the Americas in Belize has brought forth a remarkable transformation in how computer science is taught and embraced by students and educators alike. This program has not only enhanced access to quality education but has also elevated the standards of computer science teaching and learning in Belize.  

This recognition at the Code.org CSEdCon 2023 reflects the Trust for the Americas' dedication to leveraging technology and education to bridge the digital divide and promote inclusive economic growth. It underscores the organization's commitment to creating opportunities for individuals and communities to prosper in the digital age. 

The Trust for the Americas is honored to receive this distinction and looks forward to continuing its mission of enabling people across the Americas to access quality education and embrace the possibilities of AI and computer science. 

For more information about the Trust for the Americas and its initiatives, please visit thetrustfortheamericas.org  

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About The Trust for the Americas: 

The Trust for the Americas is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Organization of American States (OAS). Established in 1997 to promote public and private partnerships, The Trust has implemented projects in 24 countries and worked with over 1,000 organizations in the region. Our initiatives seek to promote educational and economic opportunities as well as government accountability and transparency. 

About Code.org: 

Code.org® is an education innovation nonprofit dedicated to the vision that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We expand access to computer science in schools, with a focus on increasing participation by young women and students from other underrepresented groups. The leading provider of K-12 computer science curriculum in the largest school districts in the United States, Code.org also organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign, which has engaged more than 15% of all students in the world. Code.org is supported by generous donors including Microsoft, Amazon, Google and many others.