Southwest Airlines, CATIE, and The Tropics Foundation Announce a $25,000 Sponsorship of The Wallace Conference
Southwest Airlines®, one of the world's most admired and awarded airlines, recently committed $25,000 in support of Wallace Scientific Conference, hosted by The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE). Since 2002, the Wallace Scientific Conferences have provided a forum for high-level discussion of strategies in science and technology for tropical agriculture, natural resources, and the conservation of biodiversity in the tropics.
This year, the VIII Wallace Conference will focus on analyzing food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) in the face of environmental degradation and climate change, using a systematic approach to analyze the biodiversity and ecosystem services, food production, as well as the economic, social, cultural, and political aspects that are key for the functioning of such systems.
As a Platinum sponsor and the official airline of the Conference, Southwest Airlines’ support helps ensure that CATIE is able to further its mission to achieve Inclusive Green Development through research, education, outreach and innovation.
“Southwest Airlines is excited to expand our partnership with CATIE through the sponsorship of Wallace Scientific Conference,” said Ana Schwager, Senior Community Outreach Program Manager at Southwest Airlines. “CATIE’s mission aligns perfectly with our approach to being a good global citizen as we recognize the importance of supporting innovative initiatives that contribute to agriculture research and management, conservation, and the sustainable use of natural resources. We look forward to seeing the impact this conference will have.”
Southwest Airlines connection to CATIE began in 2021 when the carrier expanded its Repurpose with Purpose program to include CATIE. This global environmental sustainability initiative upcycles items like leather aircraft seat coverings and transforms them into new products, reimagining and reusing thousands of pounds of materials every year. Since 2014, Southwest Airlines has donated more than 1.4 million pounds of leather to provide employment, skills training, and other social benefits to communities.
Through this partnership, the Repurpose with Purpose program supports Costa Rican women in learning how to craft and market products made from upcycled leather, thus generating an economic impact for their families and their community. Training is currently being provided for a year and a half to the women and men in the Turrialba canton of Cartago, Costa Rica.
“When a leading partner in the industry sector sits at the same table with a research and education center in agriculture and natural resources, wonderful things happen,”said Carlos Araya, CATIE’s Director of Business Development, Resource Mobilization, and Strategic Partnerships. “Southwest and CATIE have been collaborating for several years now, and the impact we are having on women and children from our rural communities in Costa Rica is immense. Together, we are changing lives, and we invite others to join us as well.”
CATIE would like to acknowledge the contribution of The Tropics Foundation (TTF) for its role in facilitating the partnership with Southwest Airlines. TTF is an Atlanta-based 501c3 nonprofit organization that exists to stimulate and promote inclusive sustainable development and conservation in the American Tropics.
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