Centroamérica en Ascenso
The Centroamérica en Ascenso (CEA) Fellowship supports human rights defenders from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua including lawyers, judges, journalists, university faculty and researchers, social justice advocates, activists, and civil society members who are dedicated to anti-corruption efforts for the benefit of their home countries. The University of Notre Dame, through the Pulte Institute for Global Development, will support the Institute of International Education as they implement the USAID CEA Fellowship as one of three academic institutions providing a haven for individuals working on behalf of human rights in Central America.
For one to two years, selected fellows will be provided unique fellowship experiences in a safe and supportive environment at Notre Dame. Through tailored programming, participants will strengthen their academic and professional skills, collaborate with new partners, share their work, and develop their professional networks to enhance their impact in their home countries.
Across the larger program, fellowship experiences will be crafted for up to 40 activists based on their area of practice and expertise. During their stay in the United States, fellows will participate in conversation and action to support vulnerable populations, collaborating with organizations and individuals in Central America to promote democracy and defend human rights. Opportunities will be available for program participants to lecture, lead workshops, attend professional and academic conferences, and engage with relevant advocacy efforts in the local and regional community while continuing their work to strengthen anti-corruption efforts.
Beginning in January 2025, two fellows will be hosted on campus at Notre Dame in support of this important work. Notre Dame will receive at least two more Fellows in fall of 2025, and then each academic year, ending in 2029.