Last month, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center and DT Institute released the first issue brief from the Northern Triangle Advisory Group, seeking to address the root causes of unauthorized migration from Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador to the United States. 

The issue brief is titled  ‘The Role of the Private Sector in Catalyzing Inclusive Economic Opportunities in the Northern Triangle’ — the purpose of the report is to advance new ways of thinking around a) solutions that address the root causes of migration, b) how the private sector can help reduce the informal economy, and c) why investing in employment-generating sectors can and should keep up with the region’s young talent.  

The report comes at a crucial moment as migrant flows to the southwestern US border are on track to surpass the highest levels in two decades. At the same time, the situation at the border underscores the need for innovative policy solutions that tackle the root causes of migration. The key findings are the result of consultations with the Northern Triangle Advisory Group, which is composed of thirty public sector, business, and civil society leaders from the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras.

READ THE ISSUE BRIEF

Acknowledgements

This issue brief is the first of three publications as part of the work of the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center’s Northern Triangle Advisory Group (members listed below), a high-level group of policymakers, business leaders, and civil society from the Northern Triangle that seek to create a basis for consensus and galvanize support for strengthening the rule of law and mitigating corruption, increasing productivity and enabling sustainable economic development, and reducing conflict in Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. Thank you to Jason Marczak, María Fernanda Bozmoski, Domingo Sadurní, and Eva Lardizábal at the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center for leading this effort and to the Center’s in-region consultant Gina Kawas for her research support. This publication was produced with the generous financial support of DT Institute. Thank you to DT Institute for their insights and collaboration.

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center 

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations through high-impact work that shapes the conversation among policymakers, the business community, and civil society. The Center focuses on Latin America’s strategic role in a global context with a priority on pressing political, economic, and social issues that will define the trajectory of the region now and in the years ahead. The Center’s Central America programming has focused on providing insights, analysis, and galvanizing bipartisan support for sustainable solutions to the Northern Triangle’s economic, rule of law, and security challenges. Past marquee work includes our 2017 Northern Triangle Security and Economic Opportunity Task Force, our 2020 Central America Economic Reactivation in a COVID-19 World report, and our ongoing 2021 work with the Northern Triangle Advisory Group. Other select lines of the Center’s programming include: Venezuela’s crisis; Mexico-US and global ties; China in Latin America; Colombia’s future; a changing Brazil; Caribbean development; commercial patterns shifts; energy resources; and disinformation. Jason Marczak serves as Center Director.

DT Institute 

DT Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to “doing development differently.” We implement complex global development programs in conflict, fragile, and closed environments. We also fund thought leadership initiatives that drive innovation and improve lives through evidence-based programming.

DT Institute is both a funder and an implementer of peace and development projects focused on co-creation and co-investment, as well as measurable impact and sustainability.