The ITD Changemaker, May 2026

The ITD Changemaker

Hospitality Day Host Families Needed

The Institute for Training and Development  i s seeking host families for upcoming Hospitality Days on  Saturday, June 13  (Teachers from around the world) and  Saturday, July 18  (Spanish-speaking Student Leaders).  

This is a wonderful opportunity to share a meal, conversation, and cultural exchange with international visitors participating in our programs. Host families may welcome either teachers or student leaders for part of the day and help create a meaningful experience of community and connection.

If you are interested in hosting or would like more information, please contact Host Coordinator Yanara at  yanara@itdamherst.org .

Teacher Welcoming Reception

All are invited to welcome our teachers from around the world at a casual gathering on Wednesday. June 3, 5:30–7:00 PM at the ITD House. Stop by for a quick hello, refreshments, and conversation.

Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing Yanara at  yanara@itdamherst.org .

Cultural Nights at the ITD House

Join us for lively evenings of cultural exchange, music, food, and community with our international participants. No RSVP is needed.

Both events will take place at the ITD House hosted by the Institute for Training and Development.

At our core , we believe ITD participants are leaders capable of driving meaningful change in their home countries. While our programs are brief U.S.-based immersions, the seeds planted during these experiences often take root in unexpected and inspiring ways across the globe.

One of the most striking examples of this cross-cultural exchange comes from Juan Carlos Guillen, an alum who participated in the Professional Fellows program in Amherst in 2015. During his time at ITD, Juan Carlos learned about the foundational New England “Town Meeting” system in a session facilitated by Smith College Professor Donald Robinson. Professor Robinson was a regular ITD contributor and the author of the frequently cited book Town Meeting: Practicing Democracy in Rural New England .

Today, Juan Carlos is back in Chiapas, Mexico, managing an ambitious program called PARES (Peace, Action, Resilience, and Sustainability in Landscapes of Latin America). The project consists of supporting indigenous communities to be able to mitigate the effects of climate change. He and his team work through community groups centered around micro watersheds—vital geographical units for environmental and social resilience.

While implementing the project , he noticed a profound structural harmony between the democratic decision-making he found in Massachusetts and the traditional practice of Usos y Costumbres (Customs and Traditions) used by indigenous communities in Chiapas.

” The spirit of the New England town meeting—where every voice has a place and the community takes collective responsibility for its future—mirrors the deep-rooted governance we see in Chiapas,” Juan Carlos shared.

By recognizing these commonalities , Juan Carlos has been able to implement a project that feels both innovative and deeply familiar to the people it serves.

Juan Carlos is just one example of how our alumni are applying experiential insights to solve complex problems in their home countries. We are incredibly proud to see how these connections continue to evolve and flourish nearly a decade later.

We are exploring opportunities for stakeholders and anyone interested to travel to Mexico and other ITD partner countries to engage in immersive experiences with our alumni. These trips offer a rare chance to see global development through the eyes of our alumni and engage in the positive changes they are spearheading. If you are interested please fill out this survey .

We are glad to have you as part of the ITD community, we look towards the future.

Sincerely,
The ITD Team