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Article by Paula Uribe, Gerente Técnica Regional de RET en América Latina y el Caribe

To read this article in Spanish, check out our RET en español channel.

PANAMA CITY, PANAMA – Within the framework of the “Sustainable Opportunities for Youth” project of the municipality of San Miguelito in Panama, RET International has managed to strengthen the capacities of 160 adolescents and young people, including 30 in conflict with the law and 130 young people at risk of being in conflict with the law. As a result, more than 60% accessed decent employment or an educational opportunity, allowing their social and economic reintegration in a sustainable manner.

This program was implemented with the support of the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies (IEI) of the Ministry of Government, in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of San Miguelito and a series of strategic actors, including private enterprise, during 2016-2018. The articulation of these actors was key to generating concrete and lasting opportunities for young people in vulnerable situations.

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A Comprehensive Approach to Employability and Innovation

RET has also focused its action on strengthening the capacities of public officials, teachers, families, tutors and community leaders responsible for the socio-educational and occupational reintegration of adolescents and young people at risk, allowing institutions to meet their goals and strengthen the rule of law.

One of the fundamental pillars of the project was to avoid the re-victimization of young people, recognizing them not as generators of problems, but as leaders and agents of positive change in their communities. To achieve this, RET has developed strategies in three key areas:

1. Education

• We encourage young people who have dropped out of school to resume their studies.
• We support their integration and permanence in the educational system.
• We provide vocational guidance and personalized educational follow-up through tutoring.
• We strengthen the capacities of teachers to work with at-risk youth.
• We actively involve families in the education of young people.
• We promote the peaceful resolution of conflicts, the culture of peace, and the prevention of violence.

2. Social Integration

• We promote the development of life skills, both personally and as a group.
• We provide psychological care to young people and their families.
• We promote community youth leadership to prevent participation in at-risk groups.
• We strengthen the capacities of community actors to form effective support networks.

3. Livelihoods and Employability

• We develop work skills adapted to the needs of the market.
• We promote entrepreneurship initiatives and productive activities.
• We establish alliances with companies and institutions to improve job opportunities for young people.
• We offer support in the process of job placement, internships and volunteering, ensuring a successful transition to the world of work.

In addition to psychosocial support, the program included a vocational training module based on innovation and adaptability to the requirements of the productive sector, integrating the development of knowledge and academic skills, a psychopedagogical follow-up plan, delivery of educational kits and scholarships and work practices structured in collaboration with local companies.

In addition, we managed the publication of a “Guide to Labor Integration” for the training of business tutors to ensure the sustainability of the opportunities generated.

This project has been instrumental in consolidating RET International’s commitment to promoting opportunities for youth. Through innovative initiatives and strategic alliances, RET has managed not only to improve the employability of young people, but also to generate a positive and sustainable impact in their communities, this experience adds to the vision of a future in which every young person, regardless of their situation of origin, has the opportunity to build a path to autonomy and well-being.

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