Challenges and Opportunities for UK-Latin America Societies

The meeting brought together societies and chambers of commerce that connect the UK and Latin America. The discussion identified avenues for collaboration and shared obstacles.

Each society shared its key activities from the past year and plans for the future. Cultural activities play a core role for all of the organisations represented as they build communities and celebrate Latin American culture. To support this community, several societies are exploring mentorship programmes and scholarships to support young people.

Finding venues to host events once again proved to be a shared challenge in the room. Working with the relevant embassies has provided many of the participants with the space they need. Those without that option can also work with the City of London Corporation, whose representative explained that the City is keen to hold more cultural, historical, and social events for the diverse communities that work in London.

Difficulties in funding proved another theme of the evening, with the societies remaining reliant on membership fees and large events to fuel their charitable donations. Societies shared their successes in securing corporate partnerships to address this issue. Not only did this increase revenue, but a more commercial approach has helped the societies support entrepreneurs from Latin America and showcase goods from their home countries. Baroness Hooper, a foundational force in many of the Anglo-Latin American Societies, shared her previous experience in organising trade shows for the societies, which could offer further revenue and visibility.

Canning House was delighted to once again connect the UK-Latin American societies and chambers of commerce for a productive evening of discussion and networking.