On August 17, 2015, Perry Center Director Mark Wilkins and Institutional Relations Coordinator Kara O’Ryan met with Paraguayan Alumni Association members for a full day of meetings and academic discussions including an office call with Paraguayan Minister of Defense Bernadino Soto. At the Ministry of Defense, Mr. Wilkins addressed an audience of 60 Perry Center graduates and professors and master’s program students from the Institute of Advanced Strategic Studies (IAEE – Instituto de Altos Estudios Estratégicos) to discuss current regional security and defense challenges along with updates from the Perry Center.

The Perry Center team also conducted visits to the Metropolitan University of Asunción and the American University of Paraguay, meeting with senior officials from each institution. The Perry Center Alumni Association of Paraguay and the US Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation were instrumental in coordinating the day’s activities and actively participated in all events. This outreach visit to Paraguay was a welcome opportunity to exchange ideas, receive updates and reaffirmed the joint commitment both countries share in regional security cooperation.