Guatemala
In Latin America, the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with the Unión de Partidos Latinoamericanos (UPLA) – a cooperation organization for center-right parties in Latin America and a member of the International Democrat Union (IDU).
Population: 13.82 million (2011 estimate)
Area: 108 889 km2
GDP (PPP): 70,31 billion dollar (2010 estimate)
GDP per capita (PPP): 5 200 $ (2010 estimate)
Rate of growth: 2,2 % (2010 estimate)
Head of state and head of government: Alvaro Colom Caballeros
Guatemala gained its independence from Spain in 1821. During the latter part of the 20th century, Guatemala was plagued by a 36-year long civil war and by political instability with a long row of civil and military governments succeeding one another. In 1996, a peace treaty was signed that put an end to a war that had claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands. However, the conflict has had long standing effects on Guatemalan society. According to the UN, human rights have been infringed on in recent years. Practices such as torture and abuse are utilized by the police, which is a major problem. Rule of law is weak and corruption within the legal system is pervasive. There is no state censorship and freedom of speech and freedom of press are recognized, as well as freedom of religion, freedom of association and freedom to convene. Guatemala’s largest demographic group is the indigenous population which is unique by Latin American standards.
The most recent parliamentary and presidential elections were held in 2007 and the next ones are due in 2011. The president Colom Caballeros is of the leftist party Unidad Nacional de la Esperanza.
The Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation cooperates with Partido por el Avanzado Nacional (PAN) and Partido Unionisa (PU).
It is a stated goal of the Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation to educate female decision-makers. In the autumn of 2010, the conference Empoderamiento de Mujeres took place in Honduras. The participants came from Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Venezuela and the Dominican republic. Concurrently with this conference a youth conference was arranged around a Jarl Hjalmarson publication entitled “Principles for a Free Society.”
