Quetzal Route in Panama

On the XXVIII version of Panama's Quetzal Route in June, 223 young people from 53 different countries will follow in the footsteps of Vasco Núñez de Balboa across the Central American country until they reach the South Sea, reported the organizers yesterday in Madrid.

Those who aspire to join the expedition must propose a project that originally deals with a social problem that exists in their local environment. “Social entrepreneurship is a key to improving our society, and we are convinced that the youth can contribute grand ideas to drive this improvement,” said the BBVA chairman Francisco González.

Upon completing the expedition, some participants may earn some seed capital to get their projects started. Another new feature is that for the first time the route will jump over to Belgium, 'the heart of Europe,' for youth to study the figure of Charles V, the organizers added.

Once again, the expedition will have two disabled persons participating, a step towards promoting social inclusion. The first time that there were disabled participants in this adventure was in the 2012 expedition.

Miguel de la Quadra-Salcedo, leader of the expedition, has highlighted that this is a journey that “will remain engrained in the genes” of the youth. He also wished to point out that this trip is an opportunity for him and for the young people to “discover ourselves”.