2024 highlights
Top activities in 2024
Anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine
The Delegation of the European Union in Panama has worked closely with the Ukrainian diaspora to raise awareness of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its devastating consequences. During 2024, various activities were held to engage the Panamanian public and raise awareness of the conflict. Activities included the exhibition Ivan Yasny Documents the War 2014-2024, which opened on 30 January at the Museum of Freedom and Human Rights. On 24 February, the Ukrainian flag was raised at the World Trade Center in Panama on the anniversary of the Russian attack, in the presence of the diplomatic corps, authorities and citizens.
Jazz Night for Women's Day 2024
In commemoration of International Women's Day, the EU Delegation in Panama organised a Jazz concert to celebrate the achievements and talent of women, as well as to raise awareness against gender inequality and prejudice, inspiring actions in favour of equality. The evening was led by Idania Dowman, the Jazz Lady of Panama, and her group The Emotions, who performed songs in different European languages that highlighted the strength and value of women. The event was private, bringing together women from administration, business, culture, science, the diplomatic corps, the media and academia.
EUROPE Space - Europe Day 2024
The Delegation of the European Union in Panama, together with the Member States, held a two-day event entitled EUROPE Space (Spanish: Espacio EUROPA) to celebrate Europe Day. The event, which brought together around 1,000 people, aimed to promote the EU's values and priorities, as well as to highlight the relations between the European Union and Panama. Over the course of two days, attendees were able to enjoy various activities including gastronomy, cinema, exhibitions, workshops, talks and language classes, focusing on digital, ecological, social and cultural issues. The celebration, which commemorated the historic Schuman Declaration of 9 May, recalled the origin of the European Union as an economic cooperation aimed at avoiding new wars in Europe. The event reflected the EU's evolution into a political organisation that embraces issues such as climate, technology, external relations and migration. These priorities are aligned with the European Union's Global Gateway agenda and highlight the importance of international cooperation and cultural exchanges to promote peace, stability and global prosperity. Continue reading here.
European Film Week 2024
For the third consecutive year, the EU Delegation in Panama celebrated the Film Week, starting at the Espacio EUROPA and continuing at the University Cinema. This is an event that allows the Panamanian public to get closer to European film productions free of charge. The films presented, mostly independent and award-winning, reflect the cultural diversity of the European Union. This year, the central theme was youth and adolescence, and a total of 15 films from different EU Member States and Ukraine were screened, using cinema as a tool to reflect on these socially relevant issues. The short films produced within the framework of Euro CineLab 2024 were also presented.
Second in-person meeting of the EU Youth Sounding Board in Panama
On 21 June 2024, the second in-person meeting of the Youth Sounding Board (Spanish: Altavoz Juvenil) took place, where members discussed their progress and defined the next steps to be taken. The EU Delegation highlighted the importance of continued collaboration and exchange of ideas to strengthen the ties between youth organisations and European policies. During this session, participants presented their projects and activities, such as debate tournaments and beach clean-ups, and agreed to form thematic subgroups to work on areas of common interest. In addition, possibilities for joint projects were explored and the commitment to regional and global collaboration was reaffirmed. Continue reading here.
Ukraine: Living under bombs
In July, the Ukrainian diaspora and the European Union in Panama invited the public to raise awareness and reflect together on the suffering of “Ukraine: Living Under Bombs” at the Ateneo de la Ciudad del Saber. The documentary “20 Days in Mariupol” is a unique testimony, in real time, about the war crimes resulting from the large-scale Russian invasion: surrounded by Russian soldiers, with the help of the civilian population, they miraculously managed to escape with their lives, to document the tragic story of Mariupol. The screening allowed everyone to empathise with the Ukrainian people and understand their struggle for peace, independence and democracy, as highlighted by panellists Lina Vega, from the Citizen Freedom Foundation, Alonso Illueca, an expert in international law, Luis Romero, filmmaker and president of Redcrea, and Lilia Cherniak, from the Ukrainian diaspora.
Indigenous Voices: for Rights and Mother Earth
The Delegation of the European Union in Panama and the FSC Indigenous Foundation commemorated the International Day of Indigenous Peoples, seeking to generate reflection on the challenges faced by these communities. The event included a spiritual ceremony led by an indigenous person, the screening of the film God is Woman (Spanish: Dios es Mujer), an exchange of ideas with indigenous leaders and experts, as well as an exhibition of young indigenous art. The event focused especially on themes such as the green transition, the relationship of indigenous peoples with nature, their rights and identity, and opportunities for cultural exchanges with Europe. The film God is Woman (2023), directed by Swiss-Panamanian filmmaker Andrés Peyrot, was the starting point of the event, narrating the journey of director Pierre-Dominique Gaisseau and his encounter with the Guna community in Panama, where women are revered as sacred.
Rising from the Ashes: Ukrainian Diaspora at the 2024 Book Fair
The EU also facilitated the participation of the Ukrainian diaspora in the 2024 International Book Fair that took place between 13-18 August at Atlapa, and was visited by approximately 100,000 Panamanians. The participation, under the slogan Rising from the Ashes, included a stand with information and books about Ukraine, the screening of the documentary 20 Days in Mariupol, the exhibition Mama, I don't want war, and other activities such as book readings, Ukrainian language express class, fashion and traditions, handicraft masterclass, literature and poetry reading, Ukrainian cartoons, live Ukrainian singing. The attendees also had the opportunity to have their photos taken in typical costumes and to participate in a charity raffle.
Restoration of ecosystems in the Metropolitan Park
The Delegation of the European Union in Panama led a reforestation initiative in Panama City's Metropolitan Natural Park, in collaboration with volunteers from the EU Youth Speaker in Panama and the Latin American Stock Exchange (LATINEX). The activity aimed to raise awareness of the importance of protecting the biodiversity of Panama's rainforest and restoring local ecosystems affected by invasive species, such as the Paja Canalera, which since the 1940s has invaded the area surrounding the Panama Canal, replacing native plants and increasing the risk of forest fires. During planting, native species such as mango, cocobolo and guayacan were reintroduced in the areas invaded by the weeds. With the planting of 60 native trees, the EU Delegation not only supported Green Diplomacy Weeks 2024, but also commemorated International National Parks Day and National Reforestation Day, reaffirming the EU's commitment to ecological sustainability and environmental protection. Continue reading here.
Training for the successful formulation of projects in the framework of the Erasmus+ program for higher education institutions and vocational training centres
Between 17 and 19 September, the EU offered a workshop for higher education institutions and vocational training centres in Panama, with the aim of training them in the formulation of high quality proposals for the upcoming calls of the Erasmus+ CBHE and CBVET program. During the workshop, key topics such as the structure of the Erasmus+ program, the characteristics of the specific calls of interest to Panama, the creation of a logical framework for proposals, project relevance and impact, and budget and sustainability planning were addressed. Additional technical assistance was also provided to the selected concept notes and practical sessions were held to guide participants in the drafting and presentation of their projects.
Teambuilding and recommendations of the EU Youth Sounding Board in Panama
On 20 September 2024, the young people of the EU Youth Sounding Board in Panama held the third face-to-face meeting at the City of Knowledge Convention Center. The day was divided into several activities, starting with team building dynamics. Subsequently, they focused on creating recommendations for the participation of Sara Bermudez, representing AJ Panama, in the Global Gateway High-Level Youth Event in October in Brussels. Participants broke into groups to discuss the three pillars of the EU Youth Action Plan: empower, dialogue and connect. Next, work was done on drafting the AJ's statutes, with the aim of fostering youth leadership and defining the future of the group, and synergies were explored with the EU in future activities such as the International Day of Non-Violence against Gender Violence. Finally, the AJ's social networks, managed by its own members, were launched to strengthen its presence and communication. Continue reading here.
Day of European Languages
On the European Day of Languages, an initiative of the Council of Europe since 2001, the Delegation of the European Union in Panama, its Member States and the Technological University of Panama held a day of express classes in 10 European languages. This initiative promoted the learning of foreign languages and strengthened cultural ties between Europe and Panama. The activity allowed participants to discover the rich linguistic and cultural diversity of Europe, broadening their knowledge of various languages and enhancing their intercultural understanding.
Study in the European Union with Erasmus+ scholarships
The online session was aimed at all those who wish to study in Europe and facilitated their access to educational opportunities. In this event, participants had the opportunity to learn about the first-hand experience of beneficiaries of the Erasmus+ program: Martina Bo, Liaison Officer for the Americas of Erasmus Student Network (ESN), presented the topic of international mobility credits, while Yaneris Velásquez, representing the Erasmus Mundus Association (EMA) Panama, shared information about Erasmus Mundus Master's Degrees. During the session, detailed information was provided on the benefits, application requirements and support available through student associations. The recording of the webinar is available here.
Launch of the project Colonial Routes, Natural Crossroads
The European Union in Panama presented the project Colonial Routes, Natural Crossroads, an initiative that seeks to promote intercultural dialogue and environmental and economic sustainability through cultural heritage. Panama, as a meeting point of diverse cultures, is home to the only transisthmian colonial route, which has crucial historical value, in addition to its potential for inclusion on UNESCO's World Heritage List. This project aims to raise awareness of the importance of the Camino de Cruces and the Camino Real as a nexus between Panama, Europe and other regions, highlighting its role in intercultural relations and environmental conservation. The project also promotes the exchange of knowledge between European and Panamanian professionals through activities such as the creation of a network of experts, the development of a guidebook on the sites along these routes and the organisation of a conference. Continue reading here.
Forum on the experience of elected members of the UN Security Council: Lessons and Perspectives
On the occasion of Panama's election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the period 2025-2026, the Delegation of the European Union in Panama and the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama co-organised a forum on this important international body. The event focused on the experiences, challenges and achievements of the elected members, addressing the responsibility of maintaining international peace and security, and highlighting the importance of the voices of all members, despite the unequal nature of the Council. The forum featured experts such as Javier Martinez-Acha, Chancellor of Panama; Dr. Alfredo Castillero Hoyos of the International Center for Political and Social Studies AIP, and Alonso E. Illueca, professor at Santa Maria La Antigua University. Continue reading here.
Christmas Concert 2024
The Delegation of the European Union in Panama celebrated Christmas for the third consecutive year together with the Network of Youth Orchestras and Choirs of Panama, offering a Christmas concert at the Nuestra Señora del Carmen Parish, in which European and Panamanian Christmas carols were performed. More than 100 young talents from the Network participated in the event, which included the Metropolitan Choir of Panama and the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra of the Network. This concert represented a special occasion to strengthen cultural ties between Europe and Panama and to close the year 2024. See the complete programme.
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