The purpose of this guide is to provide practical insights and recommendations on key measures that can be taken to mitigate the territorial impact of the pandemic. The guide also includes good practices and lessons learned that decision-makers from different levels of government throughout the Americas can consider to effectively respond to the current challenges posed by COVID-19, as well as concrete actions for implementation during a post-pandemic phase. If we are to succeed in overcoming this crisis, we must support and strengthen those that represent the most direct point of contact between governments and citizens and who best know and understand their communities.

“La opinión, conocimientos y experiencia de los jóvenes debe ser escuchados, tenemos que participar en la creación de estrategias; que las políticas que se implementen estén bien enfocadas, porque conocemos las barreras, oportunidades y visiones que tenemos en el tema agrícola”, dijo Andrea Paredes, caficultora guatemalteca y representante centroamericana en el foro virtual.

On March 20, 2020, Pope Francis asked the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD) to establish a Commission consisting of five working groups with the objectives of: supporting local Churches, enabling them within their own local circumstances to be active agents of assistance in cooperation with Caritas Internationalis; focusing on the study of the pandemic, reflecting on society and a post-Covid-19 world, particularly in areas such as the environment, economy, employment, health, policy, communication and security; supporting the Holy See in its activities and in its relations with Countries and International Organizations, conveying to them the results of the research, dialogue and reflection undertaken; and funding its activities in the areas of research, analysis and communication.