top of page
header.jpg

- Sunday February 4th 2024 -
- Monday February 5th 2024 -
- Tuesday February 6th 2024 -

DEFENDING DEMOCRACY

hojita.png

A gathering of kindred spirits for the future of the region.

Background

Amidst the intricate tapestry of Latin America's challenges and triumphs, where shadows of poverty, populism, and democratic setbacks cast their pall, a clarion call resounds. It is a call to embrace not the status quo, but the boundless potential that remains dormant within this land of social, cultural, and natural abundance. As the sun rises on the horizon of change, we gather to herald a new era—the BLISS Summit 2024, with the chosen theme of "DEFENDING DEMOCRACY," a concept of utmost significance.

In a world where the crescendo of authoritarianism and populism reverberates globally, the imperative to safeguard the pillars of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law has never been more vital. Costa Rica, a steadfast beacon amidst the tempestuous seas of the few surviving democracies, stands as an embodiment of hope. Yet, even amidst the resplendence of its accomplishments, we are reminded that the flame of liberty must be nurtured ceaselessly, for the wind of complacency threatens to extinguish it.

The BLISS Summit stands as a convergence of exceptional minds—a symposium where kindred spirits from the echelons of finance, academia, philanthropy, family offices, visionary business leaders, artisans of creativity, contemplative think tanks, venerable CEOs, and global trailblazers unite. This confluence is not mere coincidence; it is a deliberate pilgrimage to unearth the seeds of change that lay dormant within Nosara, Costa Rica, and the entire Latin American expanse.

Here, the fabric of change is woven, thread by thread, as luminaries grace our stage and catalyze discourse that transcends rhetoric, igniting the sparks of tangible transformation through pilot projects, funding ideas, and creating new ones. Collaboration reverberates with the resonance of shared purpose, where ideas alight like stars in the night sky—distinct yet interconnected, guiding the course of our shared destiny.

The BLISS Summit seeks not only to distill innovative solutions from the wellspring of creativity but to invest in their realization. It aspires to forge a network of trailblazers who wield scholarship, philanthropy, and creativity as tools to dismantle the seemingly insurmountable. As we gather under the sun-soaked skies, our gaze is steadfastly set upon the future—a future where entrepreneurship, freedom, sustainability, and education stand as the cornerstones of a thriving Latin America.

Join us in this symphony of change, where the echoes of past struggles harmonize with the crescendo of present innovation to compose a melody that resonates with generations yet unborn. The BLISS Summit is not merely an event—it is the clarion call of a generation that envisions a revitalized Latin America, a realm where the promise of prosperity and sustainable development transcends the constraints of today, ushering in a radiant tomorrow.

Alvaro1.png

Dr. Alvaro
Salas Castro

Bliss Founder 

bloque-rojo.png

NOSARA, GUANACASTE, 
COSTA RICA

Location

Although only 137 square kilometers, Nosara (a blue zone district in the Nicoya canton in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica) perfectly reflects the most pressing challenges in Latin America. It is internationally recognized for its remarkable efforts to conserve its exuberant flora and fauna, including several endangered and threatened species. It is home to thousands of people from diverse socioeconomic, international, and cultural backgrounds. However, unequal development and unequal opportunity have created significant disparities and generated conflict in the community. The district also struggles with a lack of good governance, poor infrastructure, and inequality in access to services, and lack of employment and better opportunities. Despite these challenges, Nosareños – like the people of Latin America – recognize the need for change. They understand that the future requires dignity, entrepreneurship, sustainability and prosperity for all.

bloque-rojo.png
nosara.jpg

BLISS participants will arrive at either Liberia airport (LIR) (Ideal airport if available) or San Jose airport (SJO) in Costa Rica on Sunday, February 4.
For participants arriving in Liberia,  the transportation to Nosara can be done either by taking a 2-hour van ride or a 20-minute puddle-jumper flight to Nosara via Sansa or Charter flights (please ask Iveth Badilla for charter flights).  
For participants arriving in San Jose airport, we recommend getting to Nosara through a 45-minute puddle-jumper flight to Nosara via Sansa as the drive to Nosara can be around 5 hours from San Jose.
Participants will stay in various beautiful hotels throughout the Nosara community, such as The Gilded Iguana, Tierra Magnifica, Senderos, and Yaxa Hotel.

location.png

AIRPORTS LIBERIA OR SAN JOSÉ?

How to get there?

Screen Shot 2023-10-02 at 11.00.54 (1).png
Screen Shot 2023-10-02 at 11.01.16 (1).png

Hosts

Demolab.png

Demo Lab is a think tank and laboratory dedicated to promoting freedom, protecting the rule of law, and promoting civic engagement principles in democratic governance. It conducts experiments to combat the two significant impediments to a thriving and dynamic democracy: apathy and conformity. Through its endeavors, Demo Lab underscores the critical significance of an engaged and participatory citizenry that actively participates in the mechanisms of self-governance while vigilantly overseeing the institutions that foster a flourishing, just,  freer, and happy society.

Ksq.png

K Squared Capital is a financial advisory and asset management firm focused on delivering transparency and alignment of interests. It manages traditional investment portfolios and an options-based hedge fund and is in the process of developing products in the impact investing space.

separador.png

Co-hosts

alvaro2.png

President and Founder of Demo Lab Foundation

Chief Strategy Officer at Demo Lab

charlene_new.png

Marketing and Branding at The Gilded Iguana

President of the Board of Directors of INCAE Business School

lepoldo.png

Venezuelan Freedom and Democracy Activist

Philanthropist, Owner of Ani Resorts and Co-Founder of Jane Street Capital

President of Atlas Network

International expert in public administration and international affairs, Syracuse University.

CEO of K Squared Capital

separador2.png

Speakers and Panelists

Chief Strategy Officer at the Human Rights Foundation

CEO of The Guilded Iguana

Rwandan Freedom and Democracy Activist

antonela.png

Associate Director of the Center for Latin America at Atlas Network

carine.png

Rwandan Freedom and Democracy Activist

carlosvives.png

Singer, songwriter, actor and philanthropist with 17 Latin GRAMMY® Awards, two GRAMMY® Awards

claudia.png

Colombian business leader, co-founder of Universo Vives, chemical engineer, Miss Colombia 1996.

celine.png

President of the Human Rights Foundation

david.png

Commercial Director of  Grupo PEDREGAL

feliz-y-berta.png
feliz-y-berta.png

Nicaraguan Freedom and Democracy Activists

gabruel.png

Head of Sales for Startups, Google Cloud

jack.png

Co-founder, Chairman & CEO of Block, Inc

laura-ch.png

Former President of
Costa Rica

lepoldo.png

Venezuelan Freedom and Democracy Activist

lilian.png

Venezuelan Freedom and Democracy Activist

lourdes.png

Director Emerging Markets Institute Cornell University

matt.png

President of Atlas Network

miles.png

Crypto Product Lead for Cash App

phil.png

President and CEO of Garnier & Garnier

ramon.png

CEO of Florida Ice & Farm Company

soum.png

Dean Oxford Business School

THOMAS-O.png

Executive Director of Public Affairs Programming in MPA program at Cornell University

timreynolds.png

Philanthropist, Owner of Ani Resorts and Co-Founder of Jane Street Capital

tina.png

International expert in democracy, conflict resolution, and civic engagement, Syracuse University

victor.png

Venezuelan Human Rights Activist

separador.png

Artists

ariela.png

“Artivist”
(artist + activist)

andreaK.png

 Fashion Designer/ Creative Director

charlene_new.png

Photography

ojo.png

Reggae Band

Platinum Sponsors

TRF Logo.png

Gold Sponsors

Mesa de trabajo 4_2x-100.jpg
demo-lab-logo.png
ELEVAR_BLACK_Shorter_Paths_Artboard 1.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 7_2x-100.jpg
Screen Shot 2023-10-02 at 10.32.40 (1).png
1519882578970.jpg
sponsors.png

Silver Sponsors

Aromas_Logo.png
logoheader2_Mesa_de_trabajo_1_2x.webp
logo-150x150.png
DonorsTrust.jpg
632018bf-4046-4a3d-ae4a-fd86ff4e120d.jpg
HoneyStinger_BlackHorizontalLogo.jpeg
LOGO NUUN-01.png

Collaborators

Mesa de trabajo 2_2x-100.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 6_2x-100.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 14_2x-100.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 11_2x-100.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 5_2x-100.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 13_2x-100.jpg
a2fb7e7e-232f-492e-930b-5da636f52b6e.png
280452093_290943869913604_6429807036644370941_n.png
Mesa de trabajo 10_2x-100.jpg
ELEVAR_BLACK_Shorter_Paths-02.jpg
Mesa de trabajo 9_2x-100.jpg
NIZA_Black.png
ELEVAR_BLACK_Shorter_Paths-03.jpg

Join us in defending democracy and shaping a brighter future for Latin America.

Expanding BLISS impact

Arising from the discussions at our 2023 summit, The Tech & Freedom Academy is a collaborative initiative with Demo Lab Foundation, FWD Academies and several strategic international and local partners.


This Academy offers a transformative 6-month software development bootcamp with a comprehensive curriculum covering civics, democracy, citizen participation, the rule of law, and financial freedom.


Our goal is to empower young citizens to create innovative solutions for Costa Rica's challenges and enhance their employment prospects.


We invite you to support a young talent with a $1,500 contribution.
100% of your donation will go directly to FWD/DemoLab Tech and Freedom Academies, making a significant impact on Costa Rica's future.

logos_header.png
student.png
logoazul2.png
bottom of page