The second Alumni Leaders’ Summit (ALS) took place from September 23-27, 2024, at the Perry Center in Washington, DC, with a focus on the theme “Leadership in a Changing and Diverse World.” The event included case studies, discussions, guest speakers, and interactive group exercises. This year’s cohort consisted of 42 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.

As part of the community-building activities, the program featured a session with representatives from the 2023 ALS cohort, who shared their experiences with alumni-led initiatives, including the annual Alumni Day and the podcast La Voz Hemisférica. Participants also received a virtual presentation from Eduarda Hamman, representative of the “Rede Maria Quitéria de Segurança e Defesa” in Brazil, where she spoke about the chapter’s current objectives, challenges, and next steps.

A special networking session with participants from the concurrent Emerging Leaders’ Summit (ELS) offered opportunities for small-group discussions. Additionally, a panel of Perry Center professors led an interactive session on topics such as Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) and fostering the next generation of security and defense leaders.

A key highlight was a visit to the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), where participants from both ALS and ELS attended an expert panel discussion followed by a lively Q&A on the panelists’ latest research.

During the summit, participants developed and signed a declaration affirming their commitment to a sustainable, inclusive, and peaceful future. This declaration outlines four strategic actions and a plan for meaningful cooperation within the alumni network.

Kara O’Ryan gives opening remarks

Dr. Ricardo Aguilera presents to the cohort

Dr. Mark Hammilton leads a group exercise