This month the Perry Center celebrates 27 years empowering security and defense professionals from the Hudson Bay to Tierra del Fuego, 27 years building trust with individuals and institutions committed to making the Americas safer and stronger, 27 years convening practitioners in an environment of intellectual openness and exchange, and 27 years championing democratic values and the meaningful integration of civilians, women, and interagency partners into security and defense decision making.

Since September 17, 1997, the Perry Center has sought to establish cooperative ties among the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. Perry Center engagements are our response to the region’s challenges and reflect a clear commitment to the legacy of our namesake, Dr. William J. Perry, the 19th US Secretary of Defense. Today the Center’s alumni network is more than 10,000 strong and growing. We work with partners and alumni in 50 countries to advance our mission in support of “sustaining and strengthening democracy in our hemisphere,” as envisioned by Secretary Perry.

We thank our alumni, interagency stakeholders, regional partners, faculty, and staff for their collaboration through the years and for being strong pillars of “La Familia Perry.”