LATIN AMERICA WORKING GROUP EDUCATION FUND

In the next five to ten years, LAWGEF aims through public education and advocacy to accomplish:

Greater respect for migrants' and refugees' human rights on the part of U.S., Mexican and northern Central American authorities;
Improved human rights and anti-corruption policies in the Northern Triangle of Central America;
Greater emphasis on humanitarian and development assistance, rather than military aid, in overall U.S. aid to the Western Hemisphere;
Greater U.S. support for the rights of human rights defenders and environmental defenders in Latin America;
Steady U.S. support for implementing peace accords and protecting human rights in Colombia.

LAWGEF accomplishes its goals using the following strategies:
Bringing Latin American human rights activists to speak to U.S. policymakers and the public;
Working jointly with Latin American civil society activists for change;
Informing policymakers, providing analysis and recommendations on key human rights topics;
Engaging U.S. citizens to take action in favor of human rights;
Mobilizing broad coalition efforts in support of our goals.

LAWGEF's principal capabilities are:
Bringing together a broad coalition
Collaborating with Latin American human rights partners
Skilled policy analysis
Long-standing relationships with policymakers
Ability to involve and engage citizens and activists throughout the United States through social networks, e-alerts and interaction

Over our history, we led collective efforts to shift U.S. policy from war to peace in Central America and are doing the same today in Colombia. We helped to set U.S. policy towards Cuba on a path towards normalization of relations and freer travel and exchange between our nations. LAWGEF helped pioneer and enforce the use of human rights conditions on military aid to Latin America. We are key players in ensuring disaster and reconstruction assistance after hurricanes, earthquakes and other natural disasters. We have encouraged a greater emphasis on humanitarian, sustainable development, and human rights assistance rather than military aid. We played a role in encouraging an end to the separation of migrant families. We remain committed to our long-term goal of ensuring U.S. policies towards Latin America and the Caribbean support peace, protect the environment, and promote human rights.