Join Partners of the Americas for an event full of learning and connecting
The 2026 What Works Panama Conference will provide attendees with meaningful, authentic, and positive international collaboration and community-building experiences that support the power of grassroots efforts of leaders and volunteers to take charge of the impact in their communities.
About
Born in Greeley, Colorado, in 2013, the What Works Conference has brought together hundreds of community leaders and change agents from every corner of the Americas to exchange and share knowledge, resources, strategies, solutions, and best practices for what works in community development. Over three days, attendees will learn, grow, connect, and find inspiration to make positive changes or gain further knowledge and skills to continue impacting through sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities.
Join Partners of the Americas in Panama City, Panama, from January 28 to 31, 2026, for a unique conference which recognizes Partners of the Americas’ distinctive approach to bringing the right mix of players – volunteers, development professionals, governments, civil society organizations, and higher education institutions – to the table to match resources, knowledge, and passion to need. Along this line, the peace and development theme underscores a commitment to exploring the integral relationship between peacebuilding and sustainable development. The What Works Conference will provide meaningful, authentic, and positive international collaboration and community-building experiences for attendees that support the power of grassroots efforts of leaders and volunteers to take charge of the impact in their communities.
Why Attend?
You should plan to attend the What Works Conference if you are interested in:
Gaining a better understanding of developments around best practices and solutions in partnerships and locally-led development
Being in a dedicated space to work with peers from around the Americas to generate meaningful responses to communities’ challenges in developing projects and programs that catalyze long-lasting impact
You should identify opportunities to engage with and collaborate with peers from various institutions and backgrounds during the conference
Who Attends?
The members who present at and attend the What Works Conference come from across the Americas and range from:
Volunteers
Chapter Leaders
Civic Society Organization Representatives
International Development Practitioners
Government Representatives
Community Leaders and Changemakers
Scholar-Practitioners in the field of Latin American Studies
Students
Contact
If you have inquiries or questions about the What Works Conference, don't hesitate to contact partnersevents@partners.net. A Partners of the Americas staff member will respond as soon as possible!