IYF and Regional Government of Arequipa Sign Groundbreaking Pact to Boost Youth Education and Employability
Arequipa, Peru | July 18, 2025 — In a bold move to invest in the future of Peru’s young people, leaders from the education, business, and public sectors gathered at the Regional Government Auditorium in Arequipa to sign the “Pact for the Promotion of Youth Social-Emotional Skills.” This new agreement marks a strategic milestone in strengthening the core skills of students in technical higher education across the region.
As part of its 35th anniversary, the International Youth Foundation (IYF) is doubling down on its mission to build more inclusive and equitable education and workforce systems—systems that reflect the local realities of countries like Peru. Through its flagship program Passport to Success® (PTS), IYF is working to prepare young people with the skills they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving labor market.
“At IYF, we believe every young person has the potential to be a changemaker. As we mark 35 years, we’re proud to reaffirm our commitment to youth in Peru—especially here in Arequipa, where there’s tremendous talent waiting to be unlocked,” said Alberto Peniche, IYF’s Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean. “This pact with the Regional Government kicks off a three-year collaboration that will create real, lasting opportunities for thousands of youth.”
Arequipa, a region with strong economic and social potential but persistent access gaps, stands to gain greatly from this investment in youth. Social-emotional skills—like empathy, resilience, self-regulation, and decision-making—don’t just strengthen young people’s personal growth. They also improve employability, leadership, and their ability to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Regional Vice Governor Ana María Gutiérrez echoed that sentiment: “The Regional Government of Arequipa and the International Youth Foundation share a common goal: to strengthen young people’s capabilities and support businesses with better-prepared graduates. Education changes lives. If our youth are well trained, they’ll have better professional and personal development opportunities.”
During the event, IYF shared early results from PTS program—now being piloted in Arequipa. Used in more than 50 countries, PTS is a globally recognized methodology that builds the social-emotional competencies young people need to thrive in life and work. In this pilot phase, more than 450 students from 9 public and private technical institutes have participated. The impact is already being felt: “Change starts from within. Thanks to PTS, I now see conflicts as chances to grow—not threats,” said Yamile Lucía Turpo, a student participant.
Key local actors joined the event, including Vice Governor Gutiérrez, the Regional Education Office, the Arequipa Chamber of Commerce, and directors, teachers, and academic coordinators from ten technical institutes. Together, they publicly committed to advancing youth development in the region, pledging concrete actions as active allies.
This strategic alliance is expected to drive transformational impact in Arequipa over the next two years:
- +18,000 students will receive PTS training.
- 200 teachers will be trained and certified in the PTS methodology.
- 12 technical institutes will be strengthened through implementation support.
This joint effort is also a call to action for Peru’s business and industrial sectors to get involved. Investing in social-emotional skills not only makes young people more employable—it helps develop well-rounded, resilient leaders who are vital to building a stronger, more cohesive society and economy.
With this initiative, IYF is bridging the gap between education and the needs of the labor market, ensuring that young people in Arequipa are equipped with the technical and human skills they need to innovate, adapt, and thrive in the global economy.
For partnership inquiries related to IYF’s work in Peru, please contact: Ángela Sabogal, Program Manager | a.sabogal@archive.iyfglobal.org
For media inquiries, contact: Jania Argüelles, Communications Manager for Latin America and the Caribbean | j.arguelles@archive.iyfglobal.org
About IYF:
The International Youth Foundation® (IYF®) stands by, for, and with young people. Founded in 1990 through a generous grant from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, IYF is a global nonprofit with programs directly benefiting 8.1 million young people and operations spanning over 105 countries. Together with local community-based organizations and a network of corporate, foundation, and multilateral partners, we connect young people with opportunities to transform their lives. We believe that educated, employed, engaged young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems, and we focus our youth development efforts on three linked objectives: unlocking agency, driving economic opportunity, and making systems more inclusive. Our vision is to see young people inspired and equipped to realize the future they want. The International Youth Foundation: Transforming Lives, Together. To learn more about the International Youth Foundation, please join us at archive.iyfglobal.org
