The COVID-19 pandemic hastened a digital transition across the world as education, commerce, and healthcare providers moved online. But greater internet access is needed across Latin America and the Caribbean. In rural areas, access is nearly 50 percent lower than in urban areas, and while nearly 40 percent of LAC consumers utilize digital payments, about half of the region remains unbanked

How can we ensure that the wave of digitalization doesn’t exacerbate inequality and leave vulnerable communities behind? With the ninth Summit of the Americas fast approaching, how can leaders better connect the region through digital tools?

As part of an ongoing partnership with the US Department of State, the Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center is bringing together regional organizations to advance an inclusive conversation on the future of digitalization and technology access in anticipation of the ninth Summit of the Americas.

Join us to actively participate in a virtual conversation, “Road to the Summit: A digital future for the Americas” on Monday, May 23 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. (ET). Speakers and audience members will share ideas on ways to take advantage of digital and fintech opportunities while ensuring that people have access to these emerging technologies. All participants will have the option to submit questions and comments prior to and during this interactive event.

Learn more about our Road to the Summit campaign here.

Simultaneous interpretation in English, Spanish, and Portuguese will be available for Zoom attendees, as will closed captioning.

Keynote conversation

Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
Special Advisor for the Summit of the Americas
Former Congresswoman (FL-26)
United States

Speakers

Dr. Kasan Troupe
Chief Education Officer
Ministry of Education and Youth

Jamaica

Giuseppina Curreli
Director of Political Relations
Millicom

Laura Mackenzie
Senior Vice President
Global Consumer Product and Financial Inclusion
Mastercard

Henry Mooney
Economics Advisor
Caribbean
Inter-American Development Bank

Jana Nelson
Government Digital Transformation Advisor
Amazon Web Services

Jaime Ramírez
Chief Executive Officer
Falabella

Moderators*

Shery Ahn
Anchor
Bloomberg Television

Eric Martin
Reporter
Bloomberg News

Larissa Wachholz
Senior Fellow
Brazilian Center for International Relations (CEBRI)

Jason Marczak
Senior Director
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Atlantic Council

Diego Area
Deputy Director, Strategic Development
Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center
Atlantic Council

*More speakers to be announced

Summit of the Americas

Amid global uncertainties and new challenges, the ninth Summit of the Americas is a renewed opportunity to bring about hemispheric cooperation and consensus to reach regional prosperity and security.

The Adrienne Arsht Latin America Center broadens understanding of regional transformations and delivers constructive, results-oriented solutions to inform how the public and private sectors can advance hemispheric prosperity.

In partnership with

US Department of State
Summit of the Americas Secretariat
CARI
Caribbean Policy Research Institute
CEBRI
Florida International University
FUSADES
Movilizatorio