OEA - Informe CIDI INF. 645 25 de 2025

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ORGANIZATION OF AMERICAN STATES

Inter-American Council for Integral Development

(CIDI)

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OEA/Ser.W

CIDI/INF.645/25

24 February 2025

TEXTUAL

REGULAR MEETING OF THE

INTER-AMERICAN COUNCIL FOR INTEGRAL DEVELOPMENT (CIDI)

FEBRUARY 25, 2025

ON: UNLOCKING THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

POTENTIAL OF RURAL COMMUNITIES

BIOGRAPHIES OF GUESTS SPEAKERS

Tania Lieuw-A-Soe, Chair, Agro Coop Wi! Uma Fu Sranan, CEO, Social Enterprise Surivit

[image]Inspired by my upbringing with hardworking parents—a mother who was a poultry farmer and a father who worked his way up in the bauxite mining industry—I embarked on my journey as an Agripreneur in 2004. This led to the founding of SURIVIT, an agro-processing company renowned for its organic fruit juices. Our products are now featured in hotel chains, restaurants, and catering companies.

Fueled by my passion for sharing knowledge and opportunities, I took the initiative in 2013 to establish Suriname's inaugural Women's Agriculture Cooperative, known as "Agro Cooperative Wi! Uma Fu Sranan." This cooperative serves as a unifying platform for women dedicated to agriculture, fostering collaboration towards shared objectives. Our focus encompasses poverty alleviation, entrepreneurship, and the expansion of our markets on both local and international fronts. Currently boasting 38 members, our cooperative predominantly consists of agriculture entrepreneurs hailing from Suriname's interior and rural regions.

In my role as Managing Director of SURIVIT N.V., I remain dedicated to sustainable food practices, economic growth, and the empowerment of rural women. My academic background in International Business & Entrepreneurship (BSc, 1985–1989) has complemented my leadership roles, which include chairing the Agriculture Cooperative Wi! Uma Fu Sranan since 2013, the Suriname Network of Rural Women Producers (SNRWP) since 2016, and the Federation of Surinamese Agrarians (FSA) since 2020.

Mr. Juan Sebastián Vergara, Chief Executive Officer, Art Hotels Ecuador

[image]I currently serve as the CEO of Art Hotels Ecuador and Art Experiences Travel, both operating within the tourism industry. I earned a degree in Administration and Finance from Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, where I gained practical experience in various roles. In 2010, I relocated to Boston to pursue an MBA at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University, specializing in Supply Chain Management. Following my studies, I worked in logistics at Staples and in sustainability and finance at EMC (now Dell Corp.).

Upon returning to Ecuador, I co-founded The Ring, a chain of boxing gyms, with my brother. In 2015, I began a master’s program in Leadership in Hospitality Administration at Les Roches in Switzerland before establishing a luxury boutique hotel chain and Art Experiences Travel in Ecuador.

My journey in building companies from the ground up has underscored the importance of discipline, effort, and above all, passion. I believe that sustainable practices are essential for navigating the demands of a rigorous business environment.

Rhyesa Joseph, Principal Consultant, From Classroom to Community, Saint Lucia

[image]Rhyesa Joseph is a dynamic political analyst and development strategist with over 12 years of experience in governance, community development, and socio-cultural research. With expertise spanning across organisational management, communication, and public policy, she has made notable contributions to both regional and national projects aimed at fostering sustainable development and empowering local communities.

Ms. Joseph holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science with International Relations from the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, where she graduated as valedictorian in 2017. She also holds a Master of Philosophy in Political Science, with a research focus on "An Investigation into the Political Ideology of St. Lucian Koudmen and Its Utility as a Post-colonial Model of Governance, and Social, Economic, and Political Development."

With a wealth of teaching experience, Ms. Joseph has delivered engaging and impactful courses in Caribbean Politics, Caribbean History, Communication Studies, and Professional Development. She has also made a significant mark in the media industry, serving as a feature interviewer for UWItv, where she was recognised with the inaugural UWItv Student Ambassador Award in 2017. Her earlier work at the Government Information Service (GIS) further honed her skills in radio broadcasting, print media, and bilingual journalism (English and Kwéyòl).

A passionate advocate for youth development, Ms. Joseph regularly contributed to the "Millennial Voices" column in Barbados Today and played a key role in drafting youth policies across the Caribbean. As the founder of the consultancy ‘From Classroom to Community’, she has worked with both governmental and non-governmental organisations to drive political analysis and community-focused initiatives.

Ms. Joseph's leadership extends to her national service. She served in the Saint Lucia National Reparations Committee during a 4-year stint and to continues to perform national duties as a member of the GEF SGP UNDP National Steering Committee of Saint Lucia. These and other roles have allowed her to contribute to the creation of policies and strategies for socio-economic development on a national scale. She also previously served as executive director of the Monsignor Patrick Anthony Folk Research Centre (FRC), where she oversaw numerous initiatives to preserve cultural heritage and foster community growth.

Currently a history lecturer at Sir Arthur Lewis Community College, Ms. Joseph continues to inspire and shape consciousness national discourse, while remaining deeply committed to community development and social justice.

Álvaro Ricardo Lemus Cardona, Fundador y Creador de la Asociación de Productores de Olopa (APOLO), Guatemala

[image: C:\Users\Alvaro\Desktop\foto curriculu.jpeg]Ingeniero Agrónomo especializado en Sistemas de Producción Agrícola, con una sólida formación en el manejo, procesamiento, calidad y comercialización del café en el mercado internacional. A lo largo de su trayect oria profesional, ha acumulado más de 30 años de experiencia en el ámbito del desarrollo rural, enfocándose en la mejora de la productividad y la sostenibilidad en las comunidades cafetaleras.

Desde 1994, ha trabajado en diversos proyectos de desarrollo rural, desempeñándose como técnico de campo, especialista en fortalecimiento organizacional y responsable de monitoreo de campo, en el proyecto "Mujeres en Café", en la zona Trifinio, con la Fundación Hanns R. Neuman.

Es fundador y creador de la Asociación de Productores de Olopa (APOLO), la cual ha sido una organización legalmente constituida durante los últimos 19 años. Actualmente, ocupa el cargo de presidente y representante legal de la asociación, liderando diversas iniciativas para el fortalecimiento de los productores locales.

Su amplia experiencia incluye la gestión de trámites de exportación, así como la representación de APOLO en ferias internacionales, promoviendo el café guatemalteco en mercados globales. Además, es propietario de la Finca Las Flores, un proyecto ecoturístico ubicado en Olopa, Chiquimula, que contribuye al desarrollo económico y turístico de la región.

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