CSR Activities

The Congress CSR programme is intended to connect delegates with local communities and Panamanian initiatives in ways that are practical, participatory and rooted in the destination.

Panamá Verde

For France-Benelux, Iberian, Central European, & Mediterranean Local Chapters

Panama’s extraordinary biodiversity — from oceans and rivers to rainforests and mangroves — is central to the country’s identity. At the same time, growing volumes of waste and limited separation and recycling practices create pressure on rivers, coastlines, landfills and communities.

Through Panamá Verde, delegates will explore the local challenges around waste and recycling while discovering some of the innovative solutions already being developed in Panama.

Why this activity matters

The activity will:

Raise awareness of the relationship between everyday waste, waterways and marine ecosystems.
Encourage more responsible waste separation and recycling behaviour.
Introduce delegates to local innovation and circular-economy solutions.
Turn sustainability from a message into a hands-on learning experience.

Local innovation and solutions

Marea Verde is a Panamanian non-profit organisation that has been working since 2018 to reduce solid-waste pollution in Panama’s rivers and coastlines through clean-up projects, education, community engagement and innovative waste-interception solutions.

Clandestino Lab is a Panama-based design studio that gives recycled plastic a second life by transforming discarded material into furniture, decorative pieces and functional products through circular design.

Sunday 8 November

17:15 - 18:15

Panama Convention Center

Workshop experience

Participants will:

Take part in hands-on sustainability education focused on Panama’s waste and recycling challenge.
Participate in waste-sorting and recycling activities.
See demonstrations of recycling and transformation processes.
Discover how innovation can turn discarded materials into useful new products.
Explore the connection between individual behaviour, circular design and ecosystem protection.

Congo Masks: Cultural Heritage and Community Connection

For UK & Ireland and Nordic Local Chapters

Congo masks are an important expression of Afro-Panamanian heritage, embodying centuries of cultural resilience, spirituality, ancestral connection and artistic expression.

Passed down through generations, the art of mask-making serves as a bridge connecting communities with their history, traditions and African heritage.

The Diablitos masks of Colón are particularly connected to the traditional Juego de Diablos, reflecting the cultural fusion created through African traditions and influences introduced during the colonial period.

These masks are much more than decorative objects. They represent identity, collective memory, spirituality, resistance and the continuation of cultural traditions across generations.

Workshop structure

Introduction to history and symbolism

Participants begin with an introduction to the cultural significance of Congo masks, their Afro-Panamanian roots and the stories and symbolism represented through their designs.

Artisan demonstration and hands-on crafting

Local artisans guide participants through traditional techniques before delegates create their own masks using personalised symbolic elements.

Reflection and sharing

The workshop concludes with participants sharing their creations and exploring how the experience connects to wider themes of cultural preservation, community and heritage.

Sunday 8 November

17:15 - 18:15

Panama Convention Center

Impact

Cultural immersion

The hands-on activity creates an authentic cultural experience while encouraging creativity, collaboration and connection with Panamanian traditions.

Heritage awareness

Participants gain a deeper understanding of Afro-Panamanian heritage and the importance of protecting living cultural traditions.

Community giving

The activity will also contribute to cultural-preservation initiatives, extending its impact beyond the workshop itself.